Srinagar, Dec 29 (KNO): With Gulmarg recording nearly 100 per cent occupancy for the New Year week celebrations, officials from the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department on Monday announced a 14-day integrated skiing programme for young enthusiasts.
They said the programme will cover key destinations including Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Doodhpathri and Gulmarg, providing training on varied slopes and winter sports facilities.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Director Tourism Kashmir, Syed Qamar Sajad, said winter tourism has seen a remarkable revival this season. “Gulmarg continues to be the winter games capital of the country. Occupancy is almost 100 per cent, just like previous years,” he said.
Sajad said the destination’s growing popularity stems from upgraded facilities, including Asia’s largest drag lift, installed by the J&K Cable Car Corporation, enhancing the skiing experience for professionals and beginners alike.
“The new drag lift has become a special attraction for children and young learners. Those with intermediate or professional skills can practice at Kondori and Afarwat slopes, which offer some of the best terrains in India,” he added.
The department, as part of its winter initiatives, is organising an integrated skiing training course with the Winter Games Association of J&K. It will be conducted across Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Doodhpathri and Gulmarg.
“This 14-day programme will train children at a nominal fee of rupees 5,000, covering boarding and lodging. Each trainee will experience different slopes, baby slopes in Sonamarg and Pahalgam and professional ones in Gulmarg and Afarwat, and help them understand varied topographies,” he said.
The initiative, the Director said, aims to expand youth engagement in winter sports while building a skilled pool for future competitions. “We foresee a day when many youth from Kashmir will participate in national and international skiing competitions. This training is our foundation for that,” he said.
Sajad further mentioned that alongside adventure sports, the department is upgrading its physical assets across the Valley and outsourcing refurbished sites to youth for generating employment opportunities.
“Our focus this year remains threefold, with infrastructure, employment and destination grooming. With these efforts, we are confident of a stronger, more sustainable tourism season ahead,” the Director said, adding that the government’s preparations for the upcoming year are “in full swing”—(KNO)