Poor snowfall at Gulmarg disappoints athletes; tourist traders are worried too

GULMARG: “I came here three weeks ago at my own expense to prepare myself to be ready for snow rugby games. I don’t know what to do; return home or stay put,” said Ashutosh Singh, an athlete from Maharashtra.

For Monica Bhadana of Delhi too the postponement of the fifth edition of Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) which was to be held here from February 22 to 25 is a “big disappointment.” She said, “I don’t know if the event will take place or not as there is no heavy snowfall prediction here or elsewhere in Kashmir for the coming days.”

Ms. Monica, who had visited Gulmarg for the first time in 2023 to take a ski course, happily participated in the last edition of the KIWG here. She was enthusiastic about being a part of the KIWG 2025 now. “I know many players who like me were very excited about the event. Most of them have come here at their own expenses. Everyone is disappointed at the postponement of the event,” she said.

Last week, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the postponement of the second leg of the KIWG 2025 at Gulmarg, Kashmir’s premier ski-resort situated 51-km west of capital Srinagar, because of poor snowfall. The multi-sport event taking place exclusively on snow or ice is being held annually at Gulmarg since 2021. Ladakh hosted the KIWG, into its fifth edition, for a second time in the last week of January this year.

While Ladakh hosts the ice hockey, figure skating and speed skating events, Gulmarg turns a hub for more exciting activities like skiing, alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, snow rugby, ice stock sport, snow baseball, snowshoe running and mountaineering.

Nineteen teams from various states and Union territories and institutional outfits like Army and Indo-Tibetan Bordr Police (ITBP) had competed in the events held at and around Leh from January 23 to 27 with the participation of 594 people including 428 athletes. Nearly 700 participants, including athletes, technical staff, and delegates from across the country were expected to attend the second leg of the KIWG 2025 here.

The officials said that all the arrangements for the event had been made but since there is less snow on ground it is not possible to play some of the listed games. “There used to be nearly 10 feet of snow on the ground in this time of the season and you can see the snow currently covering the ground is only one foot high. Some slopes have become snowless after it (snow received last) melted away,” said Ski guide Mushtaq Ahmed Khan. Another frontline winter sports person Mehmood Ahmed while endorsing him said, “Some of the games we were going to play here need additional layers of snow. A skier will hurt himself if he or she hits a rock not covered by enough snow in between or a snowless patch of a slope comes in the way.” The experts pointed out that for a game like snowshoe running, hiking boots get soaked and uncomfortable if there is not enough snow depth.

The authorities said that the new dates for the event will be announced once the slopes of Gulmarg receive enough snowfall based on which a fresh assessment will be made. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, after flagging off the Heli Safari and Heli Skiing here on Sunday, said the government right now is not in a position to announce new dates for the second leg of the KIWG 2025.

“The administration is monitoring the snowfall situation. The experts from Ski & Snowboard India will assess the slopes in the coming days, and if they approve, the games could be held in the first week of March,” the Chief Minister told reporters. He added, “As of now, we are not in a position to make any announcement. If we receive adequate snowfall, the games will take place in early March. Otherwise, it won’t be feasible due to the approaching summer.” Experts attribute the situation to global warming and other weather-related changes.

Though large numbers of tourists from across the country can be seen here enjoying different games on any snowy landscape here, many tour operators and other stakeholders who spoke with this correspondent said that Gulmarg has over the past few weeks witnessed a sharp decline in the tourist footfall.

“This is leaving a negative impact on our businesses. Skiing instructors, snow sledge operators, hoteliers, dhabawallas, cab drivers and others are disappointed and worried about losses. Everyone is hoping for lots and lots of snow. Please, join us in the prayer," Haji Abdus Salam Mir, a restaurateur, said.

Rauf Tramboo, who heads a highlands journey and adventure travel company and is also President Winter Games Association of Jammu and Kashmir (WGAJK) said, “Gulmarg has been a hub of recreational sports and KIWG had created a new buzz about this place across India and beyond. Not only the athletes from various states and UTs would converge at Gulmarg for the event but their families and friends would also come along to witness them playing different snow games. But poor snowfall this winter has hurt the tourism sector as many bookings have been cancelled”.

He called for installing snow lances and taking other required steps for creating artificial snow for skiing and other winter games to make Gulmarg handy for snow games in such situations as well.