Kashmir’s snow-covered slopes — once a major attraction for winter tourists — are becoming increasingly elusive. Warming winters are delaying snowfall and shortening the snow season.

Snowfall in the region would typically begin in September, with heavy snow for about a month between December and January. But in recent years, snowfall has arrived as late as February and melted quickly, disrupting the region’s famed snow and mountain tourism sector.

Scientific studies and recent observations indicate that climate change is increasingly impacting Kashmir, manifesting through rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, and extreme events that put snow-dependent livelihoods at risk.

According to the Department of Tourism, Jammu and Kashmir, there are 3,000 registered and operational hotels, guesthouses, and homestays across the valley. In addition, there are around 800 houseboats. Beyond lodging, the livelihoods of thousands — including taxi drivers, tour guides, pony handlers and handicraft vendors — are closely tied to tourism.

Snow tourism takes a hit

One significant consequence of climate change is the alteration in snowfall patterns, leading to reduced and unreliable snow cover during winters. The effects of this are especially visible on adventure tourism and winter sports, which relies on consistent snow.

Gulmarg, Kashmir’s premier ski location at an elevation of 2,650 metres (8,694 feet) above sea level, has seen snowfall decline so sharp that Khelo India Winter Games 2025, the fifth edition of the flagship event under the Indian government’s Khelo India sports initiative, had to be postponed due to lack of snow.

Adil Khan, General Secretary of Skal International, a network of tourism professionals, and former president of the Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association, noted that more than 90% of adventure tourism, particularly for winter sports, saw a steep decline this season due to the absence of snow. As a result, local excursions that usually take place around winter sports events also dropped significantly.

“The lack of snow led to widespread cancellations, especially in Gulmarg, and forced many international tourists to reschedule their trips, as they had expected to experience Kashmir’s snowy landscapes,” he said.

Mahfooz Ilahi, Instructor at the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports (JIM&WS) in Pahalgam, said that snowfall in high-altitude areas has drastically declined over the past six years. “I’ve been instructing for 16 years. Earlier, heavy snowfall would begin by mid-December and last till the end of January. Now, it starts much later — this winter, it began only on January 27 and was followed by a long dry spell,” he said.

This shift has severely impacted winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, which depend on consistent snow during these months. “Ski resorts like Gulmarg have seen a drop in tourists, especially international skiers,” he added.

Ilahi explained how snow quality is shaped by temperature, humidity, and wind. Cold conditions create dry, powdery snow ideal for skiing, while warmer weather leads to wet, slushy snow that is harder to ride on and less stable. “We’re now seeing more slush-like conditions, which make skiing tricky and reduce the thrill for professionals,” he noted.

This environmental shift has also affected high-altitude trekking routes. Early snowmelt exposes sharp rocks and large boulders on high-altitude trails. That makes treks more challenging and dangerous. Melting snow also limits access to icy paths that usually make spring trekking easier, turning these journeys into real endurance tests.

“Reduced snowfall directly hits businesses like hotels, transport, ski operators, and local vendors,” noted Farooq Ahmad Hafiz, president of Sonamarg Hoteliers Association and chairman of Snowland Hotels and Resort. “It also discourages investment in tourism infrastructure, reduces job opportunities and erodes Kashmir’s status as a top snow sports destination.”

The decline in tourism has ripple effects across sectors like agriculture and local crafts, as many communities depend on the supplementary income generated during the winter months. “If snow-dependent tourism continues to decline, the valley may face challenges in diversifying its economy, probably making it harder for the region to adapt and recover from these changes,” added Hafiz.

Stories from the ground

For many, the change is personal and disheartening. “I’ve been hiking since 2018, and I’ve seen glaciers shrink and snowlines retreat during these years,” said Zeeshan Mushtaq, founder of Kashmir Climbs, a group that promotes climbing. “The ski season that used to last three months is now barely lasting for one. Last year, the Gulmarg resort shut in January due to poor snow. This year too, January was a washout.”

Ice-climbing has also suffered. “We usually access Pahalgam’s climbing areas using a snow bridge formed by avalanches,” Mushtaq said. “But this year, snowfall was too sparse to trigger avalanches. Ironically, when snow finally came in February, it was too late — the bridge formed after the season had passed.”

Danish Mir, owner of GoKash Adventurers, echoed the frustration. “Winter used to be our peak season. We’d invite travel bloggers for week-long trips, expecting snowy vistas. But in recent years, snow has become unreliable — even during Christmas and New Year. Many of these trips failed, and we suffered major financial losses.”

“A large portion of tourists come here for snow. When they don’t find it, they leave disappointed,” he added. Ski instructors and guides, too, are struggling due to fewer bookings. “Some tourists and locals now prefer Himachal Pradesh or even Kazakhstan, where snow is more consistent,” he added.

Arshid Majid, a member of Alpine Adventures, a trekking club in Kashmir said, in 2024, unusually dry weather allowed trekkers to visit high-altitude spots like Liderwath, Tarsar, Sheeshnag, and Kousarnag as early as January — months that are usually snowbound.

“In the same year, forest fires also disrupted traditional trekking routes,” Majid added.

Warmer winters in the Himalayas

Over the last decade, the Kashmir Valley in the northwestern Himalayas has seen a consistent rise in winter temperatures. “These changes have led to a decline in overall snowpack, a delay in the onset of snowfall, and a shorter duration of snow cover,” explained Riyaz Mir, Scientist C at the National Institute of Hydrology, Western Himalayan Regional Centre, Jammu.

Traditionally, snowfall in the region began as early as September and peaked during the Chillai Kalan period, a 40-day period of harsh winter, from mid-December to mid-January. But today, snow often arrives late — sometimes not until February — missing the critical winter window.

Studies too confirm these shifts. A recent study covering the period from 1974 to 2024 reported a substantial decline in snow water equivalent (SWE) and snow cover, especially in high-altitude regions such as Kupwara and Bandipora. The study highlighted strong negative correlations between rising temperatures and SWE, indicating that increasing temperatures are a dominant factor in the decline of snow resources. Another research paper indicated a shortening of this core winter period, leading to earlier onset of spring-like conditions.

“These studies consistently show that Kashmir is undergoing major changes in snow cover duration, depth, and timing — all driven by climate change,” said RAAJ Ramsankaran, Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, who leads the Hydro-Remote Sensing Applications group which focuses on leveraging satellite, GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), and aerial remote sensing technologies to investigate various components of the water cycle.

Wider climate implications

The 2025 Snow Update Report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) sounded the alarm for the wider Himalayan region, including Kashmir. It recorded the lowest snow persistence in 23 years — marking the third consecutive year of decline. The report warned of dire consequences for 12 major rivers and nearly two billion people who depend on snow-fed water sources.

“Reduced snow accumulation affects glacier recharge and alters the timing and volume of streamflow,” Mir said. “This impacts agriculture, hydropower, and water supply. Frequent freeze-thaw cycles also destabilise slopes, raising the risk of landslides and infrastructure damage.”

The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report suggests that climate change is causing a steady decline in snow cover across mountain regions, especially at lower elevations, where snow now lasts about five days less per decade.

“Tourism and recreation activities such as skiing, glacier tourism and mountaineering have been negatively impacted by declining snow cover, glaciers and permafrost. In several regions, worsening route safety has reduced mountaineering opportunities. Variability and decline in natural snow cover have compromised the operation of low-elevation ski resorts,” the report said.

Glacier and snow decline have impacted aesthetic, spiritual and other cultural aspects of mountain landscapes, reducing the well-being of people (e.g., in the Himalaya, eastern Africa, and the tropical Andes), it stated.

The need for a policy-driven approach

Experts agree that a mix of policy- and community-led action is necessary to adapt. “Policy-driven conservation can regulate tourism infrastructure, promote energy efficiency, and encourage eco-tourism,” said Mir. “Meanwhile, community initiatives — such as afforestation, watershed management, and sustainable farming — are essential to safeguard snow-fed resources.”

Ramsankaran also emphasised the need for holistic, inclusive planning.

“Kashmir — with its alpine landscape and distinct seasons — shares many climatic and geographic similarities with the European Alps, making it well-positioned to adopt a sustainable tourism model inspired by the Swiss approach. By promoting eco-certified accommodations, low-impact nature-based activities, and community-driven cultural tourism, Kashmir can ensure tourism supports both the environment and local livelihoods. Government policies, improved waste management, green infrastructure, and awareness campaigns can lay the foundation for responsible travel. Introducing off-season tourism, electric transport, and regenerative practices like forest restoration or cultural preservation can further strengthen the model, positioning Kashmir as a leading destination for eco-conscious and meaningful travel,” said Irfan Rashid, an associate professor at the Department of Geoinformatics, University of Kashmir. 

Together, these approaches can enhance the resilience of winter destinations to climate change, ensuring their ecological and economic viability for future generations.

Looking ahead

Given these evolving challenges, adventure sports experts and stakeholders are advocating for the development of alternative winter sports destinations within Kashmir. “Areas such as Sinthan Top, Bangus Valley, parts of Shopian and Kulgam, Yousmarg, and Sonamarg have shown potential. However, realising this vision requires substantial investment in infrastructure, safety measures, and modern equipment,” Ilahi of JIM&WS said.

In response, JIM&WS has initiated efforts to diversify adventure sports destinations. Recognising the growing uncertainty in Gulmarg’s snowfall, the Institute began promoting Sonamarg as a new adventure sports hub. In 2022, JIM&WS launched a series of winter courses in Sonamarg, attracting students from across India. “Every year, we train over 1,500 students in various courses such as mountaineering, skiing, snowboarding, and expeditions. Participants come from across the country and include NCC cadets, police personnel, and members of the defence forces,” Ilahi said.

Since its establishment in 1983, JIM&WS has been conducting a range of mountaineering and skiing courses at multiple centers, including Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Sanasar, Bhaderwah, and Leh. “Beyond structured courses, the Institute has also expanded its calendar to include trail runs, ice-climbing competitions, and adventure festivals to broaden the scope of adventure tourism beyond Gulmarg.”

However, challenges remain. “Sonamarg experiences harsh winds and extreme cold. While tourists may enjoy the snow for a short while, serious skiing students will face tough conditions. For Sonamarg to emerge as a reliable winter sports destination, it is important that the government invests in essential infrastructure such as ski lifts, safety patrols, medical aid centres, and proper lodging facilities,” Ilahi said.

Artificial snow is ome of the proposed adaptation strategies to cope with the changing climate. At the closing of the 5th Khelo India Winter Games in March 2024, Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, announced plans to use artificial snow from December 2025 to counter delayed snowfall and ensure a timely start to the skiing season. He also emphasised the need to upgrade Gulmarg’s infrastructure and develop Sonamarg as a new winter sports destination in response to climate change.

While local efforts are crucial, climate change is a global issue that requires coordinated action. Sharing knowledge, research, and resources across regions facing similar challenges can help develop innovative solutions and strategies for mitigating the impact on both tourism and local ecosystems, Mir said. “Additionally, investing in research and technology for climate monitoring and forecasting can help communities better prepare for the changes ahead, ensuring they can adapt to the evolving conditions and continue to thrive.”

Read more: Flood risk study of Himalayan valley highlights unregulated tourism as a cause

Banner image: Skiing and snowboarding are two popular winter sports in the Kashmir Himalayas. Image by Younis Bhat.

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Priyanka Shankar Editor

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Climate ChangeGlobal WarmingImpacts of Climate ChangeTourismJammu and Kashmir

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