While NZ ski fields close for summer, Gulmarg, Kashmir is opening its gates to some of the deepest powder on the planet. From January through March, the Pir Panjal Range receives up to 10 metres of snowfall across a season — more than double what Queenstown's Remarkables sees in a big year.

Wildsnow is a New Zealand-owned ski tour company based in Gulmarg. Founded by Auckland-born Angus Winstone.  We live here for the season, ski here every day, and have spent years building the guide partnerships, local knowledge, and community ties that make your trip work — whatever the conditions.

For NZ and Australian skiers, the timing is perfect. Kashmir's peak season (January to March) falls squarely in the southern hemisphere's shoulder season — when the urge for more snow is real and the NZ fields are months away. Auckland to Delhi is roughly 17 hours on a single connection via Singapore or Dubai. From Delhi, a 90-minute Air India domestic flight brings you to Srinagar, and we'll be waiting at arrivals.

What's included in a Wildsnow ski tour

Our all-inclusive packages are priced in NZD and cover everything from the moment you land in Srinagar to the moment you head home.

Every tour includes accommodation at Shabir's ski Lodge, Shanu Lodge or the Hilltop Hotel in Gulmarg, daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner, fully guided skiing with expert local Kashmiri guides at a maximum ratio of one guide to four skiers, all ground transport including airport transfers in Srinagar, and Gulmarg gondola lift tickets for the duration of your stay. We also include one or two nights on a traditional Kashmiri houseboat in Srinagar with a shikara boat ride on Dal Lake — a cultural highlight that most ski tours would never think to offer.

Ski rental (skis, boots, poles) is available for NZ$300 for the full tour. An avalanche safety kit — shovel, probe, and transceiver — can be added for NZ$250. We strongly recommend travel insurance that includes ski rescue and medical evacuation cover; we can point you toward appropriate providers.

What makes Gulmarg's skiing extraordinary

Gulmarg's Apharwat mountain sits between 2,600 and 3,950 metres elevation — higher than any lift-accessed terrain in New Zealand. The gondola reaches just shy of 4,000 metres, with ski touring available up to 4,220 metres on Mt Apharwat itself. The resort's best bowls offer up to 1,330 metres of continuous vertical descent.

The majority of skiing at Gulmarg is off-piste. Groomed runs exist but they're not the point. The point is powder — consistent, deep, Himalayan powder that piles up weekly rather than annually. Wildsnow guides know where it sits, where it's safe, and how to read the mountain. They have spent their entire lives on these slopes.

Why NZ and AU skiers choose Wildsnow

There are other operators in Gulmarg. Here's what's different about us.

We're there for the whole season. Unlike companies that send tour leaders from abroad, Angus and Virginia (our Christchurch-based co-founder and 2025 Himalayan Freeride Champion) live in Gulmarg every winter. That means real-time local knowledge, genuine relationships with guides and hotels, and no minimum group sizes — your trip runs regardless of how many others are booked.

Our guides are Kashmiri. They were born here, learned to ski here, and spend their summers guiding on the same mountains. Musha, co-founder of Wildsnow Kashmir, took his expertise to New Zealand to understand what Kiwi skiers expect. That cultural exchange works in your favour on the mountain.

We give back. Skis4Kashmir is our gear donation programme, collecting used ski equipment from NZ ski fields to put into the hands of young Kashmiri riders. Sheen Wax is our locally produced, eco-friendly ski wax made in partnership with women from the village of Kilwara. When you book with Wildsnow, you're part of something bigger than a holiday.

Common questions from NZ and AU skiers

Do I need to be an expert skier? No. We take confident intermediates through to advanced skiers. If you can ski groomed blues and reds comfortably at home, you're ready for Gulmarg with our guidance.

What's the flight route from New Zealand? Most guests fly Auckland or Christchurch → Singapore or Dubai → Delhi, then connect on a 90-minute Air India domestic flight to Srinagar. Wildsnow meets you at arrivals and handles all transport from there.

Is Kashmir safe to travel to? Kashmir has been welcoming tourists steadily for years, with Gulmarg firmly established on the international ski circuit. We monitor conditions on the ground year-round and have never had a safety incident with a guest. Full details are on our FAQ page.

When is the best time to go? January and February deliver the most consistent powder. March extends the season with longer daylight and slightly warmer temperatures — still excellent conditions.

→ See all FAQs

Book your 2026 Kashmir ski trip

The 2026 - 27 season is open for bookings. Tours run from January through March, with 10-day packages starting from NZ$4,290 per person (twin share). Because we're permanently based in Kashmir, there are no minimum group sizes and no cancellation risk on our end.

View 2026 Rates & Dates →Contact Angus directly →

📞 0275 889884 ✉️ ski@wildsnow.co.nz