Raja Syed Rather
Srinagar, Feb 14: The Tourism Department has identified Sonamarg as the next major winter tourism hub after Gulmarg, with plans to expand skiing infrastructure and host competitive winter sports events in the coming years.
Director Tourism Kashmir, Syed Qamar Sajad, said the department is supporting initiatives to showcase Sonamarg’s potential for winter sports, noting that the area’s natural slopes and terrain are well-suited for skiing.
Around 180 students from Jammu and Kashmir and as many as 20 other states are taking part in the ongoing programme, which the director described as an encouraging response reflecting growing interest in winter sports.
Referring to Gulmarg as the country’s winter capital, Sajad said nearby destinations, particularly Sonamarg, have the capacity to host competitive winter events in a phased and structured manner.
He said winter tourism in the Valley has seen improvement this season, with a steady inflow of visitors, and added that the department would intensify efforts within its mandate to promote Sonamarg as a winter destination.
As part of these efforts, the department has launched a 14-day integrated skiing course, exposing trainees to different slopes, including sessions in Gulmarg, to improve skill levels.
Sajad said a drag lift installed at Sonamarg by the cable car corporation will be operationalised on priority, while local youth will be encouraged to participate in winter sports to build a pool of trained guides and adventure tourism professionals.
He added that the department will assess the need for additional drag lifts and infrastructure as activities expand, with the objective of developing Sonamarg into a major winter tourism destination.
