Kashmir snowfall 2025: CM Omar Abdullah pins hopes on winter tourism revival amid climate uncertainties
By: Javid Amin | 29 November 2025
A Valley on Edge — Between Hope and Uncertainty
As winter approaches the Himalayan valley of Kashmir, hope is riding on the snow. After a turbulent 2025 — marked by a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam and a major security scare after the Red Fort blast in Delhi — the region’s fragile tourism economy has suffered several blows.
On 29 November 2025, Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told reporters from Srinagar that the “key to increasing footfall is snowfall.” He urged the public to hope for a good December snow, and appealed to both tourists and tour-operators alike to believe in Kashmir’s winter charms again.
Yet beyond the optimism lies a stark reality: multiple winters of absent or low snowfall have already rattled the Valley’s ski resorts, hoteliers, tour guides and entire supply-chains — raising fears that Kashmir’s winter tourism might be unraveling, not reviving.
In this article, we examine: why snow remains Kashmir’s economic lifeline, how climate change and dry winters are threatening that lifeline, what 2025’s setbacks mean for local livelihoods — and if a sustainable, eco-conscious path forward still exists for winter tourism in Kashmir.
2025: The Year That Changed Everything for Kashmir Tourism
01. The Context: From Pahalgam Attack to Nationwide Anxiety
January–March 2025 was shaping up to be a regular winter tourism season for Kashmir. Bookings for skiing, gondola rides, snow treks and houseboat stays were underway. But in April, tragedy struck: a terror attack in Pahalgam claimed lives, including tourists. The attack sparked national headlines — and deep anxiety among potential visitors.
Just as the tourism industry was beginning to recover, November brought another blow: the Red Fort car-blast and resultant national security scare stirred unease among travellers, particularly for those contemplating valley travel.
In his statement, CM Omar Abdullah admitted: “This year has not been easy for us from a tourism point of view. Be it Pahalgam, Delhi, or Nowgam, it has had a huge impact on our tourism.”
Multiple tour operators, hoteliers, ski-instructors and houseboat owners echoed the sentiment — 2025 had been full of cancellations, deferred plans, and shrinking bookings.
02. The Economic Fallout: Empty Slopes, Idle Hotels, and Livelihoods at Risk
The heart of winter tourism in Kashmir is snow — especially for the famed ski resort Gulmarg. But this year, the slopes failed to receive the blanket white welcome travelers expected. Several credible local reports describe a “snowless winter” across key tourist hubs.
In January 2025, even as skiing season began, hotel occupancy plummeted. Some hoteliers in Gulmarg reported 40–60% drops in bookings, while ski instructors, snow-mobile operators and local guides saw their business grind to near-halt.
A striking summary: “When the hero is missing, the movie flops” — referring to snow as the hero in Gulmarg’s winter narrative. Without it, many businesses, especially small ones, were already counting losses.
The uncertainties also outweighed any optimism. Major scheduled events like the national winter games were postponed due to insufficient snow — a move that cancelled hundreds of hotel bookings at once, deepening economic distress.
For a region where tourism is deeply entwined with livelihoods — from snow-shoe rentals, mountain pony rides, local crafts, houseboats, to hospitality — the absence of snow isn’t just a seasonal hiccup. It’s a crisis.
The Snow Factor: Why Kashmir’s Winter Depends on Nature
01. Snowfall Is More Than Aesthetics — It’s Ecosystem & Economy Combined
Snow in Kashmir is not just what tourists want to see; it’s what many winters depend on.
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Ski slopes like Gulmarg’s rely on consistent snow cover for ski runs, snowboarding, sledding, and winter sports. Without snow, those slopes — and their entire support infrastructure — become unusable.
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Houseboat stays and shikara rides around lakes and frozen plains attract winter-seekers. Snow adds atmosphere, and when absent, the entire mood shifts — impacting demand for stays, local transport, guides, and services.
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Snowmelt feeds rivers and streams in spring, which support agriculture (especially saffron, apples), hydro-power, irrigation — vital for Kashmir’s economy beyond tourism. Experts warn that prolonged snow deficits could impact water resources, agriculture and ecosystem health.
In other words: in Kashmir, snow is the backbone — not just of winter tourism, but for ecological balance and long-term livelihoods.
02. Climate Change & Shifting Patterns — Is Snow Decline the New Normal?
Multiple reports from last few winters show a disturbing trend: prolonged dry spells, unseasonal warm spells, and minimal snow even in traditional snow valleys.
Scientists and environmentalists attribute this to larger phenomena: rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, retreating glaciers, and altered atmospheric circulation in the Himalayas.
The consequences may be long-term:
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Decreased snow cover → reduced water during summers → threat to agriculture & hydropower
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Lower snowfall → fewer tourists → loss of income for thousands dependent on tourism
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Changing ecosystem dynamics → forest fire risk, soil erosion, glacier mass loss, water scarcity
One stark warning reported: years of snow-less winters could fundamentally alter Kashmir’s ecology and economy.
Thus, the “snow factor” is no longer merely seasonal — it is a critical indicator of environmental health and the future of Kashmir’s winters.
Political Hope & Promises: Omar Abdullah’s Snow-Powered Revival Plan
Amid these challenges, political leadership has renewed focus on Kashmir’s winter tourism — and pinned hopes on nature’s mercy.
On 29 November 2025, CM Omar Abdullah called snow “the key to increasing footfall.” He said despite 2025’s twin shocks — Pahalgam attack and Delhi blast — the government’s efforts in marketing, safety, and infrastructure remain intact, and all that’s needed is snowfall.
Abdullah urged travellers to believe in the Valley’s winter magic again, and pushed tourism promotion strongly, even as ground reports confirmed sluggish bookings.
Officials from the tourism department, along with travel-agent associations, have echoed the sentiment — stating that if December delivers, the Valley could see a rapid surge in visitors heading to Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Pahalgam, and Srinagar.
This kind of political endorsement — with emphasis on snowfall and sustainable tourism — is rare, and may well define how Kashmir attempts to revive its winter economy while balancing ecological responsibility.
Ground Reality: Voices from the Valley
01. Ski-Instructors, Hoteliers, Guides — Facing an Unprecedented Chill
Mubashir Khan, a veteran adventure tour operator based in Gulmarg, laments the days when slopes were alive with skiers.
He says this is the first time in two decades he’s seen January slopes barren. Ski-slots booked till February were canceled — a blow that left his business and personal plans hanging.
Hotel managers report occupancy dropping to 40–50% of typical winters. Many are postponing purchasing new inventory or upgrading facilities; some are considering switching to summer tourism entirely.
Local vendors — pony owners, souvenir shops, snow gear rentals, shikara operators — echo similar concern. One said, “Snowfall wasn’t just a spectacle but the soul of winter tourism; without it, our entire year’s hope collapses.”
02. Environmentalists’ Alarm: Snowless Valley, Uncertain Future
Environmental experts warn that snow deficit isn’t random — it is part of a worrying trend. The dry winters, rising temperatures, and retreating Himalayan glaciers signal long-term risk for the Valley’s ecology and water systems.
Lower snow cover reduces the recharge of rivers and aquifers, affecting spring water flows — which are critical for irrigation, hydro-power, and domestic water supply. Some warn that successive snowless winters could lead to water scarcity, impacting both agriculture (apples, saffron) and daily lives.
If climate patterns continue, locals fear a shrinking season for snow-tourism, and with it — the collapse of the Valley’s economic backbone during winters.
Can Snowfall Still Rescue Kashmir’s Winter Tourism? What Needs to Happen
01. Immediate Hope: A Strong December Snowfall & Smart Promotion
With early winter showing occasional snowfall in foothills last October, local tour associations say there is still hope for 2025–26.
If December brings decent snow, bookings could pick up fast — especially for Gulmarg skiing, gondola rides, houseboat stays, and cozy winter holidays.
Tourism promotion agencies need to:
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Issue live snowfall alerts
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Offer flexible bookings with snow-guarantees
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Provide transparent information on road & snow conditions
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Promote eco-tourism and responsible travel
02. Long-Term Strategy: Sustainable Tourism + Climate Adaptation
Relying solely on snowfall is no longer enough. Long-term recovery requires:
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Diversified tourism offerings: Off-season trekking, cultural tourism, summer lakes, eco-treks, local crafts, homestays.
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Sustainable infrastructure: Waste management, regulated construction, low-impact tourism, pollution control.
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Water and ecosystem conservation: Forest preservation, glacier monitoring, water-management strategies, afforestation.
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Climate-resilient economic planning: Support for agriculture (saffron, apples), diversification beyond tourism, alternative livelihoods.
This would help Kashmir remain resilient to future winters — snowy or snowless.
What Tourists Must Know — Smart Planning & Responsible Travel
If you’re thinking of visiting Kashmir this winter (or next), here are key things to keep in mind:
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Check real-time snowfall & weather forecasts before booking — snowless winters happen.
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Book through verified, local operators who offer snow-guarantee or flexible plans.
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Prefer eco-friendly stays: cottage-style homestays, certified houseboats, low-footprint travel.
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Respect nature: avoid littering, plastic, uncontrolled waste, forest trespass.
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Plan alternate itineraries: Summer meadows, heritage walks, cultural tours in case snow fails.
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Support local economy: use local guides, buy local crafts, respect seasonal workers.
Bottom-Line: The Snow-Sustained Future of Kashmir — Hope, But With Caution
Kashmir’s winter magic has for decades been woven with snow — from alpine ski slopes to lakeside houseboats, from romantic shikara rides to snowy meadows, from winter festivals to snowball fights.
2025 dealt a harsh blow to that magic — but it also offered a wake-up call. What worked before cannot be taken for granted anymore. Reliance on snowfall as the sole anchor for tourism is fragile in a changing climate.
Yet, as CM Omar Abdullah and many in the Valley are still saying: hope remains, if snow returns. And even if it doesn’t — there exists a path forward through sustainable tourism, diversified experiences, ecological respect and responsible travel.
If you plan to visit Kashmir this winter — or in coming years — think beyond just snow. Think of a valley that’s resilient, beautiful, alive — and worth saving.
Because Kashmir is not just about winter holidays. It’s about a fragile ecosystem, livelihoods, culture, memories, and a future that depends on respect for both people and planet.
🔗 Let’s travel responsibly, hope for snow — but plan for sustainability.
