IISM Gulmarg 2026-27 Schedule: Dates, Fees, Seats and My Experience

IISM Gulmarg has released its 2026-27 schedule for 14 day snow skiing and snowboarding courses, and bookings open on 12 November 2026 at 10:00. I did both my basic and intermediate snow skiing courses at IISM, so here are the dates, fees and seats, and what it's actually like to train there.

Quick facts

• Booking opens: 12 November 2026, 10:00
• Course length: 14 days
• Locations: Gulmarg and Kargil
• Fee at Gulmarg: ₹10,000 (age up to 25), ₹20,000 (above 25)
• Fee at Kargil: ₹5,000 (local participants), ₹10,000 (other regions)
• Age eligibility: 10 to 40 years
• Total seats: 480 at Gulmarg, 80 at Kargil
• Snowboarding seats: Only 20, in one batch

My 2 years at IISM Gulmarg

It's been 2 years that I've been going to IISM. I did my basic snow skiing course there, and then I came back for my intermediate course.

Thinking back, I just remember good vibes. The people you meet at IISM are amazing. The kind of batch you get, the kind of snow skiing you do, it's really rare in India to have an institute like this. And most people don't even know about it.

They give you really great instructors and proper learning methods. The only thing is, they take a little longer than what can be learned in 5 to 6 days. But it's a proper, structured program, and you come out with real skills.

More than the training, I remember the people I met, the 6 sharing dorms, the friends we made and the chill we had. The friends are the best thing IISM gave me.

IISM Gulmarg snow skiing schedule 2026-27

All Gulmarg batches have 80 seats and are 14 days long.

Fees: ₹10,000 if you're 25 or younger, ₹20,000 if you're above 25.

MOI course: This one is for people who want to become snow skiing instructors. There are 10 seats, only in batch 5, and the fee is ₹20,000.

IISM Kargil snow skiing schedule 2026-27

Fees: ₹5,000 for local participants, ₹10,000 for other regions.

What's new this year: seat quotas for each level

This year IISM has done one new thing. They've made fixed quotas for each level: basic, intermediate and advanced.

Earlier, all 80 seats in a batch were flexible. Now, from batch 2 onwards at Gulmarg, each level has a fixed number of seats.

For beginners, this is bad news. You're now limited to the basic quota in each batch, so your chances are lower than before. For intermediate and advanced skiers, it's a good thing. You'll get seats more easily now.

If you're a beginner, keep an eye on Gulmarg batch 1 and both Kargil batches. Those are still open across all levels.

Snowboarding at IISM is still very limited

Sadly, IISM still doesn't focus much on snowboarding this year.

Out of 480 seats at Gulmarg and 80 at Kargil, there are just 20 snowboarding seats, all in batch 4 (31 Jan to 13 Feb 2027). If snowboarding is your thing, that's the one batch to target.

I tried snowboarding for a day in Gulmarg, and I wrote about how it compares in Skiing vs Snowboarding: What I Learned Trying Both in Gulmarg.

Is IISM worth it?

If you're a student, absolutely. 14 days in Gulmarg, Kashmir, with training, for ₹10,000 is nothing in today's age. It's a great way to spend your winter.

If you're a working professional, I'd still say try for it. If you can get 14 days of leave, you'll have the best time here.

Just know what you're signing up for. It's a longer, structured course, you live in shared dorms, and the batch becomes your group for 2 weeks. For me, that was the best part.

Tips for booking your IISM seat

• Be ready at 10:00 on 12 November. Booking opens at a fixed time, so have your details ready before that.
• Pick your batch based on your level. Check the quota for your level, not just the total seats.
• Beginners, look at batch 1 and Kargil. Those batches don't have fixed level quotas.
• Snowboarders, target batch 4. It's the only batch with snowboarding seats.
• Check your age bracket. The fee doubles above 25, and the age limit is 10 to 40.

If you don't get an IISM seat

Seats are limited, and not everyone will get in. If that happens, Go Careless runs snow skiing and snowboarding retreats in Gulmarg, and we can also arrange private lessons for you.

For everything else about planning the trip, read The Ultimate Guide to Learning Skiing and Snowboarding in Gulmarg, Kashmir and 5 Best Things to Do in Gulmarg, Kashmir.

I wish you all the best for your IISM journey.

FAQ

When does IISM Gulmarg booking open for 2026-27?

Booking opens on 12 November 2026 at 10:00.

What is the IISM Gulmarg course fee for 2026-27?

₹10,000 if you're 25 or younger and ₹20,000 if you're above 25. At Kargil, it's ₹5,000 for local participants and ₹10,000 for other regions.

How long is the IISM skiing course?

Every course is 14 days long.

Does IISM Gulmarg offer snowboarding courses?

Yes, but only 20 seats this year, all in batch 4 from 31 January to 13 February 2027.

What is the MOI course at IISM?

It's a course for people who want to become snow skiing instructors. There are 10 seats in batch 5, and the fee is ₹20,000.

What is the age limit for IISM courses?

10 to 40 years.

Is it harder for beginners to get an IISM seat this year?

Yes. With fixed quotas for each level, beginners are limited to the basic seats in each batch. Gulmarg batch 1 and the Kargil batches are still open across all levels.

What is IISM like to stay at?

You stay in shared dorms (I stayed in a 6 sharing dorm) with your batch. It's simple, and it's how you make friends for life.