Last updated: 10 November 2026
Short Answer
Skiing in Hunza means backcountry and ski touring, not resort skiing. There are no lifts, no marked pistes, and no resort infrastructure anywhere in the valley. You climb under your own power on touring skis or a splitboard, then ski ungroomed snow in the high Karakoram. Spring, in April and May, is the preferred season for guided trips. Guided trips are for intermediate level skiers and above, and travelling with a registered local operator or guide is strongly recommended. Prices are on enquiry, and no fixed trip price is published.
What Is Skiing in Hunza Really Like?
Hunza is not a traditional ski resort, and that is the whole point. The experience is defined by exploration, not infrastructure. There is no lift to lap, no groomed run to repeat, and no ski school. Each day, the guide reads the snow and the weather, picks an objective, and the group skins up to it and skis down. First descents are part of the draw, so much of the terrain has never been skied before.
If you want lift served resort skiing in Pakistan, that exists too, but it is not in Hunza. Naltar Valley has the country’s established ski slope, with a chairlift and groomed runs. The table below sets out the difference.
| Feature | Resort skiing, for example Naltar | Skiing in Hunza |
|---|---|---|
| Lifts | Chairlift and rope tow | None, zero lifts |
| Marked pistes | Groomed runs | None, no marked pistes |
| Snow | Groomed and patrolled | Ungroomed backcountry snow |
| How you climb | By lift | On skins, under your own power |
| Best for | Learning and practising turns | Experienced backcountry skiers |
| Guide needed | Optional | Strongly recommended |
For the resort option, see our Naltar Valley Ski Guide.
Where Can You Ski in Hunza?
There are no named ski runs or mapped ski areas in Hunza, and no ski map exists. Guided trips work across the high country of Gojal, the upper Hunza region, and the guide chooses objectives day by day based on snow, weather, and the strength of the group. Shimshal and Chapursan are both in Hunza District, in the Gojal region, and they are the kind of high, remote valleys where ski touring happens.
That lack of fixed runs is normal for backcountry skiing. It also means you cannot plan a Hunza ski trip around a specific slope the way you would at a resort. You book a guided trip, and the terrain is chosen on the mountain.
One place that is often confused with Hunza is Hoper Valley. Hoper is in Nagar District, not Hunza District, and it is a separate valley. A 12 day winter ski tour runs there on the natural slopes of Dalter Meadows, in season from December to 20 June, with views of Spantik, Miar and Golden Peak. It is a real ski touring option in Gilgit-Baltistan, but it is not skiing in Hunza, and this guide does not count it as such.
When Is the Best Time to Ski in Hunza?
Spring is the preferred season for guided trips in Hunza. Access to base camps is easier then, with horses and porters, snow stability is better, and there is a wide choice of ski objectives. April and May are the main months for guided trips.
| Period | Snow and conditions | Access | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| December to February | Deep winter, cold, short days | Hardest, roads can close | Very experienced skiers only |
| March | Transition, snow still deep | Improving | Experienced skiers |
| April to May | Preferred season, more stable snow | Easiest, base camps reached with horses and porters | Guided trips, intermediate skiers and above |
Deep winter skiing is possible, but it is a much harder trip. Cold, short days, and difficult road access all work against you, and the margin for error is smaller. For most skiers, April and May give the best balance of snow, daylight, and access.
For the wider seasonal picture, see our Best Time to Visit Gilgit-Baltistan and our guide to Winter in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Do You Need a Guide to Ski in Hunza?
Yes, for almost every visitor. Backcountry skiing in Hunza needs route planning, avalanche awareness, and local knowledge of snow and terrain that only a local guide can provide. There are no marked routes, no ski patrol, and no rescue infrastructure on the mountain. Travelling with a registered local operator or guide is strongly recommended for backcountry skiing in remote regions.
A guide also handles the logistics that make a trip possible: base camp, porters, food, and safety equipment. Mueez Uddin is a mountain guide and skier from Hunza who guides skiing, ice climbing and alpine travel, and is pursuing UIAGM qualification, the international mountain guide standard. Local guides like him are the reason these trips run safely at all.
Do not ski alone in Hunza. Do not follow tracks you find on the mountain without knowing who made them. If you cannot arrange a guide, do not go.
What Does a Guided Ski Trip in Hunza Look Like?
A guided spring trip is an expedition, not a ski holiday. Himalaya Alpine Guides, led by ski guide Luke Smithwick, runs spring backcountry skiing and splitboarding trips in Hunza, including a 22 day May trip. The trips use fully stocked base camps, meals are included, and ski and snowboard hire is available. Trips are for intermediate level skiers and above, with first descents as the draw.
The pattern is consistent across operators: a small group, a base camp, and daily objectives chosen by the guide. You skin up in the morning, ski down in the afternoon, and return to camp. Days are long, the terrain is serious, and the skiing is ungroomed from top to bottom.
Recent trips show the scale. A French ski team spent 7 to 26 April 2026, a 20 day trip, on a backcountry trip across the Hunza and Nagar valleys, led by French mountain guide Jean Annequin through the outfit Les Matins Du Monde. That is the shape of a Hunza ski trip: weeks, not days, and valleys, not runs.
What Gear Do You Need for Backcountry Skiing in Hunza?
You need a full touring setup: touring skis or a splitboard, climbing skins, touring boots, and poles. You also need a standard avalanche safety kit, with a transceiver, shovel, and probe, and you must know how to use it before you arrive. Your guide will confirm the exact kit list, and hire is available on some guided trips, so ask before you buy anything.
Clothing follows the same layering system as any cold weather trip in the region. See our What to Pack for Northern Pakistan for the full layering guide.
One small item earns its place: a power bank. Base camps are remote, and charging is limited, so a power bank keeps your phone and GPS alive for navigation and photos. The Anker PowerCore 10000mAh portable charger is a reliable option. Disclosure: as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page.
How Much Does Skiing in Hunza Cost?
Guided expeditions are priced on enquiry, and no fixed trip price is published. Do not expect a per person rate on a website. The final cost depends on trip length, group size, base camp support, porters, and whether you hire skis or a snowboard.
When you contact an operator, ask for a written quote that lists exactly what is included, and check what happens if weather or road closures change the plan. A 22 day trip with a fully stocked base camp is a different price from a short trip, so compare quotes on what they include, not only on the headline figure.
How Do You Get to Hunza in Winter and Spring?
Most visitors reach Hunza overland from Gilgit on the Karakoram Highway. In winter and early spring, storms can close roads or delay travel, so build buffer days into your plan on both ends. Do not schedule a tight connection the day after a ski trip ends.
Base yourself in Karimabad, Aliabad, or Passu, and plan the rest of your valley time around the ski trip. Our 7-Day Hunza Valley Itinerary shows how a week in the valley fits together, and our Best Hotels in Hunza Valley covers where to stay in Karimabad, Aliabad, and Passu. For winter road and weather conditions, see our guide to Winter in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Is Skiing in Hunza Right for You?
Skiing in Hunza is right for you if you are an intermediate level skier or above, comfortable on ungroomed snow in variable conditions, fit enough to skin uphill for several hours with a pack, and happy with expedition living in a base camp. The reward is skiing in the Karakoram with almost no one else on the mountain.
It is not right for you if you are still learning to ski, if you have never skied off piste, or if you want lifts, groomed runs, and a ski school. Learn the basics at a resort first. Naltar Valley is the place for that, and our Naltar Valley Ski Guide covers it. Then come to Hunza once you can ski off piste confidently and want the backcountry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a ski resort in Hunza?
No. Hunza has no ski lifts, no marked pistes, and no resort infrastructure at all. All skiing here is backcountry and ski touring, which means you climb under your own power and ski ungroomed snow. If you want lift served resort skiing in Pakistan, Naltar Valley is the established option, with a ski slope and a chairlift.
When is the best time to ski in Hunza?
Spring is the preferred season, and April and May are the main months for guided trips. Access to base camps is easier then, with horses and porters, and the snow is more stable. Deep winter skiing is possible, but cold, short days, and difficult road access make it a much harder trip.
Do I need a guide to ski in Hunza?
Yes, for almost every visitor. Backcountry skiing in Hunza needs route planning, avalanche awareness, and local knowledge of snow and terrain that only a local guide can provide. Travelling with a registered local operator or guide is strongly recommended for remote regions. A guide also handles base camp logistics, porters, and safety equipment.
What level of skier do I need to be?
Guided trips in Hunza are for intermediate level skiers and above. You should be comfortable skiing ungroomed snow in variable conditions, skinning uphill for several hours, and carrying a pack. First descents are part of the draw, so the terrain is serious. If you are still learning turns, build your skills at a resort first.
How much does a ski trip to Hunza cost?
Guided expeditions are priced on enquiry, and no fixed trip price is published. The final cost depends on trip length, group size, base camp support, porters, and whether you hire skis or a snowboard. Ask operators for a written quote that lists exactly what is included, and check what happens if weather or road closures change the plan.
Can beginners learn to ski in Hunza?
No, Hunza is not a place to learn to ski. There are no beginner slopes, no ski school, and no lifts to practise on, and every descent is ungroomed backcountry terrain. Learn the basics at a resort with groomed runs and instruction, such as Naltar Valley, then come to Hunza once you can ski off piste confidently.
