The Tourism Department has started ice climbing inPahalgam to attract tourists and adventure sports lovers.
By introducing the adventure sport on a frozen waterfall, the department is aiming to bring Pahalgam on the winter tourism calendar. Gulmarg has mainly remained the hub of winter tourism in the Valley.
“Ice climbing is an internationally acclaimed sport. Earlier, this sport was possible only in Ladakh, which remains closed in winter. By holding a camp in Pahalgam that saw a participation of 27 local and national players, we want to make Pahalgam a year-round tourist destination,” said Director, Tourism, Kashmir, Mahmood Ahmad Shah.
The three-day camp held with the support of the J&K Mountaineering and Hiking Club concluded on Sunday near Chandanwari.
Shah said the Tourism Department was also planning to hold a winter carnival at Pahalgam in February as part of its efforts to make the resort a tourist spot around the year.
He said they had started a ski lift at Pahalgam while a roller skating rink too had been started to attract tourists.
Though Kashmir would usually bustle with tourists at this time of the year, the sector had taken a hit during the unrest last year.
Pahalgam resort turning into winter tourism destination
