SRINAGAR: To establish Sonamarg as a winter sports destination, the Tourism Department Kashmir, in collaboration with the J&K SnowShoe Association, organised a SnowShoe invitational event at Sonamarg on January 1, 2024.
The Sonamarg Development Authority conducted winter sports activities, including SnowShoe and Ice Skating, at the resort as part of New Year celebrations across Kashmir. Ice Skating involved training locals in ice skating, while for the SnowShoe event, top athletes of Kashmir were invited.
Due to a lack of snow in the main meadow, the event took place near Thajwas Glacier. Approximately 24 athletes participated in the time trial-based event, with the top three athletes receiving prizes. This marked the first major snowshoeing event in Sonamarg.
CEO Alyas Nasir was the chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony, with Jammu and Kashmir SnowShoe Association General Secretary Dr Altaf ur Rehman and renowned mountaineer Nawab Mouzam also present.
“It is great to see competitive winter sports activities starting at Sonamarg. Normally, Sonamarg is associated with summer, but this year we decided to keep it open and turn it into a winter sports destination as well. We have made an ice skating rink in Sonamarg where local students are being trained by experienced trainers. With the SnowShoe event, things have improved,” said Alyas Nasir.
“It is not going to be a one-off event or activity. We will keep events going on throughout the winter. From ice skating to snow skiing and SnowShoe, we will try to conduct events regularly and involve local youth. We are pleased with the decision of the SnowShoe Federation of India to grant hosting rights to the 8th National SnowShoe Championship to Sonamarg in February. That is great news for the entire tourism fraternity of Kashmir and particularly for the stakeholders in Sonamarg. We assure our full cooperation in making that event a grand success,” he added.
Dr Altaf ur Rehman thanked the Sonamarg Development Authority for the event and assured his full support in making Sonamarg a new winter sports destination in Kashmir.
“SnowShoe is a high-endurance running activity conducted using Snowshoes. It doesn’t require any special infrastructure upgrade or arrangements. Just a few inches of snow make any place conducive for the event. Today’s event was nice, and in February, with the support of the Tourism Department Kashmir and local stakeholders, Sonamarg is going to host the National SnowShoe Championship, which will see hundreds of athletes from around 15 to 17 States participating,” Dr Rehman said.
