Travel Guide
Skiing in Naltar: Pakistan's Oldest Ski Resort
Naltar is where skiing in Pakistan began: an Air Force slope above Gilgit with deep snow from December to March and a Swiss chairlift.
Skiing in Pakistan started in Naltar. The Pakistan Air Force began snow training on these slopes above Gilgit in 1958, and the valley has been the centre of the sport in the country ever since. Most of Pakistan's best skiers grew up here, and the national championships are still raced on this snow.
Skiing needs a heavy snowfield where a slope can be prepared, and that is rare. Naltar has one at about 2,900 to 3,450 m, higher than any other ski slope in Pakistan, under peaks that hold their snow all year. It is small and simple next to resorts abroad, and getting there in winter is an adventure of its own.
- Season
- December to March
- Best snow
- January and February
- Slope
- Base about 2,900 m, lift top about 3,450 m
- Run by
- Pakistan Air Force
On this page
- 01Where is the Naltar ski resort?
- 02Who runs the Naltar ski resort, and can the public ski there?
- 03The slopes and the chairlift
- 04When is the ski season in Naltar?
- 05Ski races in Naltar
- 06Pakistan's skiers from Naltar
- 07Ski gear, lessons and clothing
- 08How to get to Naltar in winter
- 09Where to stay when skiing in Naltar
- 10Staying safe in the snow
- 11Ski resorts in Pakistan compared
- 12A winter trip to Naltar with us
- 13Frequently asked questions
Where is the Naltar ski resort?
The slope is at Naltar Bala, the upper village of Naltar Valley, about 40 km north-west of Gilgit. From Gilgit the road follows the Karakoram Highway north to Nomal, then turns west into the Naltar gorge. The base of the slope is at about 2,900 m, next to the Air Force buildings and a few guesthouses, with pine forest on both sides.
For the summer side of the valley, the Satrangi and Blue lakes and the meadows, see our 10 reasons to visit Naltar Valley.
Who runs the Naltar ski resort, and can the public ski there?
The Pakistan Air Force owns and runs the resort. Its slopes, lift and snow machines are used first for training and for competitions organised with the Winter Sports Federation of Pakistan (formerly the Ski Federation of Pakistan).
Visitors do ski at Naltar, but only with Air Force permission, and the rules have changed from year to year. Some winters the lift has been open to the public on set days; in others it has been kept for training and events. Ask before you plan a ski trip, and plan the dates around the answer. Malam Jabba in Swat is the only fully commercial ski resort in Pakistan open to everyone.
The slopes and the chairlift
Naltar is a small ski area. A chairlift donated by the Swiss resort of Villars was built in the mid-2010s and runs from the base up the main slope to about 3,450 m. It is the only proper ski chairlift in Gilgit-Baltistan. Like any lift in the mountains it stops in strong wind and poor visibility.
KG slope
the gentle beginner slope near the hotels, where children and first-timers learn.
Wild Boar
the steeper main run that local skiers ride the chairlift for.
Polo ground
the flat ground lower in the valley, used for cross-country skiing.
Off the slope
snowshoeing and the winter walk through the forest to the frozen lakes, with a local guide.
When is the ski season in Naltar?
The season runs from December to March. January and February have the deepest and most reliable snow, and the competitions are usually held then. December snow can be thin, and by late March the lower slopes turn to slush.
| Month | Snow | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| December | Building up, sometimes thin | Early skiing, quiet slopes |
| January | Deep, coldest nights | Skiing, competitions |
| February | Deep, more sunshine | Best all-round month for skiing |
| March | Melting low down | Late skiing on the upper slope |
Ski races in Naltar
Naltar hosts the national ski championships, with teams from the Air Force, the Army, Gilgit-Baltistan and the universities, and junior races for the valley's children. Snowboarding races are held there too.
It has also hosted the CAS Karakoram International Alpine Ski Cup, which brings racers from abroad. At the 2019 edition skiers from Turkey and Ukraine won the giant slalom and slalom. Some editions have been held at Malam Jabba instead, so check the year's venue if you want to watch.
Pakistan's skiers from Naltar
Naltar has produced more of Pakistan's skiers than anywhere else, many of them sons and daughters of the valley's farming families. Muhammad Abbas, Pakistan's first Winter Olympian at Vancouver in 2010, and Muhammad Karim, who skied at four Winter Olympics, both learned here. So did the sisters Amina and Ifrah Wali, who won medals at the South Asian Winter Games. On a winter weekend you will see children from the village racing down the KG slope on borrowed skis.
Ski gear, lessons and clothing
A few skis, boots and poles are kept for rent at the slope, but there is no ski shop and sizes are not guaranteed. Bring your own boots at least if you have them. Instructors are mostly local skiers; lessons are arranged on the spot rather than booked in advance.
- A ski jacket and trousers, or a down jacket over thermal layers.
- Gloves, a warm hat, ski goggles or dark glasses, and sunscreen: the sun on the snow is strong at this height.
- Waterproof boots for walking in the village, which is under snow too.
- A power bank and a torch. Power cuts are common in winter.
How to get to Naltar in winter
Babusar Pass is closed in winter, so the road from Lahore to Gilgit goes up the Karakoram Highway through Besham and Chilas. It is two long days, about 845 km, with a night in Besham. PIA flies from Islamabad to Gilgit in under an hour, but winter flights are often cancelled in bad weather, so keep a spare day.
From Gilgit to Nomal the road is paved. Above Nomal it is narrow, steep and under snow and ice for most of the season. You need a 4x4 with chains, or a local jeep from Nomal. Allow about two hours from Gilgit, more after fresh snow.
Where to stay when skiing in Naltar
Naltar Bala has a few small guesthouses near the slope. Several close in deep winter, and the open ones fill up on race weekends, so book before you leave Gilgit. Rooms are simple, heated with wood or gas stoves, and hot water depends on the power supply. Many skiers sleep in Gilgit, which has far more hotels, and drive up for the day when the road allows.
Staying safe in the snow
Naltar in winter is remote, and help is a long way down the valley.
- Nights fall to about minus 10 to minus 20 °C. Dress in layers and keep your feet dry.
- Stay on the prepared slope. The forest and the gullies above the lakes road have avalanche spots; go off the slope only with a local guide.
- There is no hospital in Naltar. The nearest is in Gilgit, about two hours away in winter.
- Mobile signal is weak, and SCOM works best. Tell someone your plans for the day.
- There is no ATM in Naltar. Bring cash from Gilgit.
Ski resorts in Pakistan compared
Pakistan has three places with a ski lift. Malam Jabba is the easiest to reach and the only fully commercial resort, with a hotel on the slope. Naltar has the better snow, the higher slope and the longer history. Families who want snow without the long drive north can see our Swat tour packages for Malam Jabba.
| Resort | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Naltar | Gilgit-Baltistan, near Gilgit | Base about 2,900 m, chairlift, run by the Air Force |
| Malam Jabba | Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | About 2,600 to 2,800 m, chairlift and hotel, easiest to reach |
| Kalabagh | Nathia Gali, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Small slope at an Air Force base |
A winter trip to Naltar with us
Our group coasters do not run to Naltar in winter. We arrange it as a private trip from Lahore with your own 4x4 and driver: one day to Besham, one to Gilgit, two or three nights in Naltar for the snow, and two days back. Tell us your dates and we will check the Air Force rules for that winter before you book. Contact us on WhatsApp for a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Naltar ski resort open to the public?
The resort belongs to the Pakistan Air Force. Public skiing and use of the chairlift need Air Force permission, which changes from year to year, so check before you go.
When is the ski season in Naltar?
December to March. January and February have the deepest, most reliable snow, and the competitions are usually held then.
Can beginners ski in Naltar, and can I rent skis?
Yes, there is a gentle beginner slope near the hotels, the KG slope. A few skis and boots are available to rent, but sizes are not guaranteed, so bring your own if you can.
How high is the Naltar ski slope?
The base is at about 2,900 m and the top of the chairlift at about 3,450 m, the highest ski slope in Pakistan.
Can you drive to Naltar in winter?
Yes, but only in a 4x4 with chains, or by local jeep from Nomal. Babusar Pass is closed in winter, so from Lahore go via the Karakoram Highway and Besham to Gilgit first.
Which is better for skiing, Naltar or Malam Jabba?
Naltar has deeper snow and a higher slope but is far and run by the Air Force. Malam Jabba in Swat is closer, commercial and open to everyone, with a hotel on the slope.
