Naltar Valley in winter is not the same trip as Naltar in summer. The upper valley and its coloured lakes are buried under snow and cut off by road from around December to April, but the lower valley, around Naltar Bala, stays reachable and turns into Gilgit-Baltistan's main ski slope. If you are not skiing, the appeal is the snow itself: a short, scenic drive from Gilgit into pine forest under fresh snow, with the option to watch the skiing rather than do it.
This guide is about that winter visit specifically: what is open, what is not, where to stay, and what a non-skier actually does there.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Naltar Bala altitude | About 2,900 to 3,000 m |
| Winter road | Gilgit to Naltar Bala usually passable; beyond it to the lakes, closed by snow |
| Ski season | Roughly December to March |
| Naltar winter sports festival | Late January or early February most years |
| Drive from Gilgit | About 1.5 to 2 hours in good conditions, longer after fresh snow |
| Best for non-skiers | Watching the skiing, a snowy day trip, simple guesthouse stays |
Is Naltar Valley open in winter?
Part of it. Naltar Bala, the lower village where the ski resort and most guesthouses sit, is normally reachable by jeep through the winter, though a fresh snowfall can close even this stretch for a day or two until it is cleared. Beyond Naltar Bala, the track climbs further into the valley towards Naltar Payeen and the lakes, and that section is buried under deep snow from roughly December to April. It is not a place you can drive, or safely walk, once the snow sets in.
If your plan is to see the lakes, they are simply not part of a winter trip. For everything on that route, our guide to Naltar Valley and our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit cover the lakes and the warmer months in detail.
The road and getting there
The route from Gilgit runs north to Nomal and then up the valley road to Naltar Payeen and Naltar Bala, the same road covered in our guide to reaching Naltar Valley. In winter the difference is snow and ice on the surface rather than a closed road, so a 4x4 with good tyres matters more than it does in summer, and the drive can take noticeably longer after a snowfall. Hire a driver used to winter mountain roads if you are not confident doing it yourself, and check the road status in Gilgit the morning you plan to go, since a fresh dump of snow overnight can delay the first vehicles through.
Don't plan to arrive after dark. Days are short in winter, and the last stretch into Naltar Bala is easier to judge in daylight.
What non-skiers can actually do
Most winter visitors come for the Pakistan Air Force ski slopes at Naltar Bala, but you do not need to ski to make the trip worthwhile:
- Watch the skiing and snowboarding. The slopes are open to spectators, and in a season with heavy snow the valley looks completely different from the bare hillsides of summer.
- Walk in the pine forest around Naltar Bala. Short walks close to the village, on cleared or packed paths, are the easiest way to enjoy the snow without needing special gear.
- Take photographs. The combination of snow-laden pine trees and the peaks above the valley is the main draw for a lot of winter visitors, skiers or not.
- Warm up over food at a local guesthouse. Simple, hot meals matter more here in January than they do in July.
Do not attempt to walk or drive further up the valley towards the lakes. The snow is deep, the track is unmarked once covered, and there is no one to help quickly if you get into trouble.
Where to stay in winter
Accommodation in Naltar Bala is limited even in summer, and fewer places stay open through the coldest months. Expect basic, family-run guesthouses with wood or gas heating rather than the wider choice available from May to October; some smaller places close for the season entirely. Phone ahead rather than turning up, confirm the room has working heating, and pack warm sleeping layers regardless of what you are told, since heating in small guesthouses can be inconsistent overnight. Our guide to hotels in Naltar has more on what the rooms are generally like.
Many visitors treat winter Naltar as a day trip from Gilgit rather than an overnight stay, which avoids the question of heating altogether and suits anyone short on time.
The Naltar winter sports festival
Most years, the Pakistan Air Force and the Winter Sports Federation of Pakistan run a winter sports festival at Naltar, with skiing, snowboarding and ice hockey, drawing participants from across the country and abroad. It usually falls in late January or early February, but the exact dates move each year, so check locally or with the organisers before building a trip around it. If your visit lines up with the festival, it is worth going even if you have no interest in competing, since the valley is busier and livelier than on an ordinary winter day.
Is a winter trip to Naltar worth it if you don't ski?
For a short, scenic day out from Gilgit, yes, especially if you already have a car and driver arranged and the weather forecast looks settled. For a longer stay, it is worth less: the main summer draws, the lakes and the longer walks, are inaccessible, and the accommodation choice narrows. If snow and the ski slopes are what interest you, go. If you are after the coloured lakes and the wider valley, come back between June and October instead.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drive to Naltar Valley in winter?
You can usually drive as far as Naltar Bala, where the ski resort and most guesthouses are, though fresh snow can close even this stretch for a day or two. The track beyond Naltar Bala to the lakes is closed by deep snow from around December to April.
Do you need to ski to visit Naltar in winter?
No. Watching the skiing, walking in the snowy pine forest around Naltar Bala and taking photographs are all worthwhile without skiing, and most guesthouses welcome visitors who are just there for the snow.
Are hotels open in Naltar Valley in winter?
Some are. A number of the smaller guesthouses close for the coldest months, so phone ahead to confirm a place is open and has working heating rather than arriving without a booking.
When is the Naltar winter sports festival?
Most years it runs in late January or early February, organised by the Pakistan Air Force and the Winter Sports Federation of Pakistan, but the exact dates change annually, so check closer to the time.
Is the drive from Gilgit to Naltar safe in winter?
It can be, in a 4x4 with a driver used to snow and ice, and if you check the road status before setting out. Avoid travelling after dark or straight after a heavy snowfall, when the road may not yet be cleared.
