Kashmir in January is the heart of winter. The whole month falls inside Chillai Kalan, the 40 coldest days, so this is when you have the best chance of deep snow in Gulmarg, Pahalgam and even Srinagar. After the New Year rush ends in the first few days, prices drop and the valley goes quiet. This guide covers the weather, snow, what is open and closed, skiing, and how to travel safely.
Quick answer: January is the best month for snow and skiing in Kashmir. Travel after the first week to avoid the New Year crowds, spend at least two nights in Gulmarg, choose a hotel with good heating, and keep a spare day in case snow closes roads or delays flights.
Weather in Kashmir in January
January is the coldest month of the year. Clear days can still feel pleasant in the sun, but nights are well below freezing everywhere. These are typical ranges; a cold wave can push them several degrees lower.
| Place | Daytime | Night | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Srinagar | About 3–8°C | About −5 to −1°C | Likely at some point in the month |
| Gulmarg | About −2 to 3°C | About −12 to −6°C | Very likely, often deep |
| Pahalgam | About 1–6°C | About −8 to −3°C | Very likely |
The sun sets around 5:30 pm in Srinagar, so start your day early.
Snow in January
January gives the best chance of heavy, lasting snow across Kashmir. Gulmarg is almost always white, Pahalgam usually is, and Srinagar often gets at least one good snowfall. Snow still comes in spells, though: a few dry, sunny weeks are possible. Compare months in our guide to the best time to see snow in Kashmir and check the Kashmir snow forecast before you travel.
Chillai Kalan: the whole month
Chillai Kalan runs from 21 December to 31 January. Locals wear the pheran (a long woollen cloak), keep warm with a kangri (a small fire pot), and eat harissa, a slow-cooked mutton breakfast sold in Srinagar’s old city in winter. Water pipes and the edges of Dal Lake can freeze in the hardest cold. Read our short Chillai Kalan guide.
Where to go in January
Gulmarg
The top choice in January. The ski season is in full swing, the Gulmarg Gondola runs (Phase 2 to Apharwat closes in bad weather), and you can try a sledge ride or a snowmobile ride. Gulmarg is about 50 km from Srinagar.
Pahalgam
Snowy pine forests and a frozen-looking Lidder valley, with far fewer people than Gulmarg. Access to Betaab and Aru valleys depends on snow clearance. See Pahalgam in winter.
Srinagar
A shikara ride on a misty Dal Lake, a night on a houseboat, and the old city in snow. See Srinagar in winter.
Sonamarg
Beautiful under snow, but always check the road status after a snowfall. The Zojila Pass beyond Sonamarg towards Ladakh stays closed. See Sonamarg in winter.
What is open and closed in January
- Open: Gulmarg, the Gondola (Phase 2 weather permitting), ski slopes, Pahalgam, Srinagar sightseeing, Dal Lake shikaras and houseboats.
- Weather-dependent: the Jammu–Srinagar highway can close for a day or more after heavy snow, and flights are sometimes delayed or cancelled.
- Closed for winter: the Mughal Road, the Zojila Pass to Ladakh, the road over Razdan Pass to Gurez, summer treks, and the Tulip Garden.
Is January a good time to visit?
- Good for: snow lovers, skiers, photographers and anyone who wants Kashmir quiet and white.
- Think twice if: you dislike the cold, have a fixed tight schedule, or are travelling with very young children or elderly relatives who find cold hard.
- 1–5 January: still busy from New Year. After that: quieter, with lower hotel rates until the next holiday rush.
Staying warm
Ask your hotel how rooms are heated before you book: central heating, electric blankets or a bukhari (a wood or kerosene stove) make a big difference on January nights. Carry thermals, a down jacket, a woollen cap, gloves, warm socks and waterproof boots with a good grip, plus sunglasses and sunscreen for the snow glare.
Full checklist: what to wear in Kashmir in winter.
Getting around in January
Travel with an experienced local driver who knows winter roads. After snowfall, cars need snow chains beyond Tangmarg on the way to Gulmarg, and drives can take longer than usual. Our Kashmir taxi with driver costs from ₹2,000 a day with fuel, tolls and driver included, and airport pickup costs the same as from the city. For a short trip, see the 4-day winter snow package.
Planning around the holidays? Read Kashmir in December. Coming a little later? See Kashmir in February, one of the best months for skiing.
Frequently asked questions
Is January the best month for snow in Kashmir?
Usually, yes. January has the best chance of heavy, lasting snow, especially in Gulmarg and Pahalgam, though snow comes in spells and a dry week is possible.
How cold is Kashmir in January?
Srinagar is usually around 3–8°C by day and below freezing at night. Gulmarg is around −2 to 3°C by day and can fall below −10°C at night.
Does Dal Lake freeze in January?
The edges can freeze during a hard cold spell, but the lake rarely freezes over completely. Shikara rides usually continue.
Is skiing possible in Gulmarg in January?
Yes. January and February are the main ski months. Book lessons and gear in Gulmarg, and buy Gondola tickets online in advance.
Are roads open in January?
The roads to Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Srinagar sightseeing usually stay open, with short closures after heavy snow. The Mughal Road, Zojila Pass and Gurez road are closed for the winter.
I'm Ahmad Suhail, born and raised in Srinagar. In 2022 I founded Kashmir Tour Packages Taxi — a licensed taxi and tour operator registered with the Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Department — because I saw too many visitors arrive in Kashmir with bad information, unreliable drivers, and no idea what was actually worth seeing.
Every article I write comes from personal experience on these routes: the correct season to visit Thajiwas Glacier, the checkpoints you'll cross on the way to Gulmarg, where the road to Betaab Valley gets narrow, what Amarnath Yatra pilgrims actually need to know before they book a taxi. I don't write from Wikipedia. I write from having driven these roads myself, with guests in the back seat.
Our fleet covers Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Doodhpathri, Yusmarg, Amarnath, and long-haul routes to Leh and Jammu under All India Tourist Vehicle Permits. If something I've written about a route, price, or season seems off — call me directly on +91 9149531004. I answer that number myself.
- J&K Tourism Dept — Registered Tour Operator
