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178 Athletes Compete in National Snow Shoe Championship at Sonamarg

The 10th National Snow Shoe Championship was inaugurated at the Sonamarg tourist resort in Jammu and Kashmir, featuring 178 athletes from across 20 Indian states. Officials highlighted that such events promote adventure tourism and provide a platform for athletic talent while strengthening the local economy. The championship's viability is bolstered by the new all-weather Sonamarg tunnel, inaugurated by the Prime Minister, which bypasses an avalanche-prone route. This infrastructure development is key to positioning J&K as a premier winter sports destination on the national and international stage.

Key Points: National Snow Shoe Championship 2025 in Sonamarg, J&K

  • 178 athletes from 20 states
  • Promotes winter tourism & local economy
  • Showcases talent of young athletes
  • Enabled by new all-weather tunnel
2 min read

National Snow Shoe Championship flagged off at Sonamarg tourist resort in J&K

178 athletes from 20 states compete in the 10th National Snow Shoe Championship at Sonamarg, boosting winter sports and tourism in Jammu & Kashmir.

"hosting national-level sporting events... promotes adventure and winter tourism - Tourism Director"

Srinagar, Feb 14

The 10th National Snow Shoe Championship was flagged off in J&K's Sonamarg tourist resort on Saturday with 178 athletes from 20 states participating in the championship.

Officials say Syed Qamar Sajad, Director Tourism (Kashmir), flagged off the 10th National Snow Shoe Championship at Sonamarg, marking a major winter sports event in Jammu and Kashmir.

The championship witnessed enthusiastic participation from 178 athletes representing 20 states from across the country, highlighting the growing popularity of snow sports in India and the region's potential as a premier winter sports destination.

Speaking on the occasion, the Tourism Director said that hosting national-level sporting events like the Snow Shoe Championship not only promotes adventure and winter tourism but also provides a strong platform for young athletes to showcase their talent.

He added that such events play a vital role in strengthening the local economy and positioning Jammu and Kashmir on the national and international tourism map.

Officials from sports bodies, local administration, coaches and sports enthusiasts were present at the event. Participants praised the scenic beauty and challenging snow terrain of Sonamarg, calling it an ideal venue for snow sports competitions.

The championship is expected to further boost winter tourism and encourage greater participation in adventure sports across the Union Territory.

Winter sports have started in the Sonamarg tourist resort basically because the resort has been converted into an all-weather tourist destination by the tunnel at Gagangir on the Srinagar-Ladakh highway.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sonamarg tunnel on January 13, 2025.

The tunnel is 6.5-kilometre-long connecting Gagangir and Sonamarg.

It carries two lanes of national highway and bypasses a Z-shaped road stretch, which used to be avalanche-prone and would get blocked during the winter months due to heavy snowfall.

However, now the tunnel provides all-weather connectivity to Sonamarg. It takes only 15 minutes to travel the 6.5-kilometre-long tunnel compared to hours over the previous zig-zag road.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Wonderful to see athletes from 20 states! It truly feels like a national event bringing everyone together. J&K has so much potential for adventure tourism. Hope this creates more job opportunities for local youth as guides, trainers, and in hospitality.
R
Rohit P
The infrastructure development is key. The Gagangir tunnel solving the avalanche issue is a massive achievement. Now events can be planned reliably. This is how you develop a region - through connectivity and then promoting its natural strengths.
S
Sarah B
As someone who loves trekking, this is exciting! Snow shoeing sounds like a great way to explore the Himalayas in winter. Hope they also focus on environmental sustainability. We must protect the pristine beauty of places like Sonamarg while promoting tourism.
V
Vikram M
Great initiative, but I hope the benefits truly reach the local communities. Sometimes big events are organized, but the money flows to outside contractors. Local artisans, homestays, and small businesses should be integrated into the tourism model.
K
Kavya N
Snow sports in India! Who would have thought? 😊 This is so cool. My cousin participated. He said the organization was top-notch and the scenery was out of this world. Hope this becomes a regular feature on our sports calendar.

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