The change in climate conditions that have resulted in less or no snowfall in Kashmir this winter season has hit winter sports activities at Gulmarg.
Gulmarg, known all over World for its winter sports activities has not received favorable amount of snowfall this season. In plains, Gulmarg bowl, this winter season so far snowfall has been only around one-feet while as in upper reaches of Apharwat it has been around three-feet.
Usually Gulmarg used to remain abuzz with sports activities at this time of the year with skiers from all over World thronging the resort in large numbers. In plains their used to be rush of local and non professional skiers while as upper reaches used to be filled with professional and extreme skiers. However, as the snowfall in plains has been almost negligible and not favorable for the skiing, rush has been lower than the usual and not on expected lines.
This season, Department of Youth Services and Sports, J&K State Sports Council and Kashmir University are yet to announce or start their skiing courses. Only Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering and some private operators have kept their coursers running. The less amount of snowfall even forced Kashmir Heli-Skiing to get late start than the usual with operators starting seventh season operations only a few days back. They used to start operation in first week of January but this time started two weeks late.
“Snowfall has almost eluded Kashmir this winter even as 40 harshest days of Chilay Kalan are nearing its end affecting tourist inflow. At least three-feet of snow is required for adventure sports like skiing to start but we have only received around one-feet this season so far,” said Tourism official posted in Gulmarg.
Though Tourism department, Kashmir has tried its best by making ski lifts operational except Highland lift, it still has not boosted the activities to the usual. “Snowfall has not been on expected lines in plains but on upper reaches we still have good amount of snow where professionals are doing skiing. In Gulmarg bowl we have made all the ski lifts operational except Highland lift. Local skiers and learners are doing skiing in the bowl,” said Director Tourism, Kashmir Mahmood Ahmad Shah.
“Snowfall is not in our hands and we can only hope that we get better amount snow in coming time. However, the situation is not that bad yet as professional skiers season begins in February till end of March,” he said.
Experts believe that this season, climate change has had severe effect on the amount of snowfall not only in the Valley but in Gulmarg as well.
“I have been skiing in Gulmarg for last three decades and this season is bad as for as snow condition is concerned. Usually season used to start in first week of January and at times in last week of December. However, this time it is end of the January and we are yet to receive favorable amount of snow at ski resort. One-feet of snow is at Gulmarg bowl is no match to usual amount and ski lifts get operational only after two-feet of snow level,” said Muzamil Dar, ski trainer.
“Tourism department official have worked hard in making ski lifts operational. However, they cannot make ski lifts run for more time with efforts like this. If the conditions don’t improve existing snow will melt fast,” he added.
