Srinagar, Jan 01: With the aim to turn the Sonamarg into a new winter sports destination, Tourism Department Kashmir in collaboration with J&K SnowShoe Association conducted a SnowShoe invitational event at Sonamarg on New Year Day on Monday.

The Sonamarg Development Authority conducted winter sports activities like SnowShoe and Ice Skating at the resort as part of New Year celebrations across Kashmir. While the Ice Skating included training locals in ice skating, for the SnowShoe event, top athletes of Kashmir were invited for participation. In absence of snow at main meadow, the event was held near Thajwas glacier. Around 24 athletes participated in the time trial-based event with top three athletes awarded with prizes. It was the first major snow shoeing event in Sonamarg.

Chief Executive Officer, Alyas Nasir was chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony while as J&K SnowShoe Association General Secretary, Dr Altaf ur Rehman and renowned mountaineer Nawab Mouzam were also present.

“It is great to see competitive wintersports activities getting started at Sonamarg. Normally, Sonamarg is associated with summer and this year we decided to keep it open and turn it into a wintersports destination as well. We have made a ice skating rink in the Sonamarg wherein local students are being trained by experienced trainers. With the conduct of SnowShoe event, the things have gone better now,” Said Alyas Nasir.

“It is not going to be 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 SnowShoe Federation of India to grant hosting rights of 8th National SnowShoe Championship to Sonamarg in February. That is great news for whole 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 Sonamarg Development Authority for the event and assured his full support in making Sonamarg a new wintersports destination of Kashmir.

“SnowShoe is high endurance running activity being conducted by using Snowshoes. It doesn’t require any special infrastructure upgrade or arrangements. Just few inches of snowshoe make any place conducive for the event. Today it was nice event and in February with the support of Tourism Department Kashmir and local stakeholders, Sonamarg is going to host National SnowShoe Championship which will see hundreds of athletes from around 15 to 17 States participating,” Dr Altaf ur Rehman said.