SRINAGAR: In a major push to expand winter sports and diversify tourism destinations in Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir will host the 10th National Snowshoe Running Championship 2026 at Sonamarg from February 6 to 9, 2026. The event is being organised by the Jammu Kashmir Snowshoe Association in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Kashmir.
The Snowshoe Federation of India (SSFI) has formally awarded the hosting rights to Jammu and Kashmir, selecting Sonamarg as the venue in view of the successful conduct of the previous two editions of the national championship at the same location.
Officials of the JK Snowshoe Association recently met Director Tourism Kashmir, Syed Qamar Sajad, during which Sonamarg was reaffirmed as an ideal destination for snowshoe running. The Tourism Department assured full logistical and promotional support, describing the championship as a strategic initiative to project Sonamarg as an emerging winter sports hub.
“We have granted hosting rights to JK with Sonamarg as the venue after witnessing the success of the previous two national championships organised there,” said Mir Muddasar, President of the Snowshoe Federation of India and Vice President of the World Snowshoe Federation (WSSF).
Mir said that unlike high-end winter sports concentrated in Gulmarg, snowshoe running requires minimal infrastructure.
“For snowshoe running, you don’t need major infrastructure upgrades—just snow, which Sonamarg has in abundance. From that perspective, it makes sense to host events of this scale in Sonamarg and other off-beat locations rather than overburdening Gulmarg,” he said.
He also revealed that SSFI, in consultation with the World Snowshoe Federation, is exploring the possibility of hosting an international snowshoe race in Kashmir in March.
“Given the positive feedback and strong support from the Tourism Department, we are in touch with the world body to host the first-ever international snowshoe race in Kashmir. If it materialises, it would be remarkable to see top European and American athletes competing here,” Mir said.
JK Snowshoe Association Vice President Arif Laigaroo said the championship is expected to see participation from around 160–170 athletes representing 17 States and Union Territories, competing in both men’s and women’s categories.
“This will be a grand event. The Tourism Department Kashmir is fully backing it as part of its vision to promote Sonamarg as the next winter sports destination of Jammu and Kashmir,” Laigaroo said.
He added that following a recently organised Snowshoe 5K race in Gulmarg, similar events are planned in Dodapathri, Pahalgam, Sinthan, Bhaderwah and other parts of the Union Territory, with anticipated support from the JK Sports Council.
Laigaroo, however, expressed concern over the continued exclusion of snowshoe running from the Khelo India Winter Games.
“Snowshoe running is a discipline dominated by JK athletes. After being part of the first three editions of Khelo India Winter Games, it was excluded in the fourth edition and later reduced to a demonstration sport. Its absence has directly affected JK’s medal tally in the last two editions,” he said.
He urged the Sports Council to reinstate snowshoe running as a competitive discipline in future editions.
“Reinclusion will significantly enhance JK’s medal prospects and provide much-needed opportunities to local athletes,” he added.
