Placing Kashmir On The Global Skiing Map: Omar Abdullah's Push For Youth Training And Tourism Promotion
The program spans iconic locations including Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Doodhpathri, with a focus on foundational skills like gliding, snow ploughing, and turns: Reports
SRINAGAR: In a significant effort to elevate winter sports and establish Kashmir as a top-tier global skiing destination, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday virtually inaugurated a 14-day Integrated Ski Training Course. The program spans iconic locations including Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Doodhpathri, with a focus on foundational skills like gliding, snow ploughing, and turns.
This initiative aims to provide certified basic skiing training to approximately 500-600 students aged 12-18 this year, while simultaneously invigorating winter tourism across the region. Current batches are underway in Gulmarg (32 trainees) and Sonmarg (25 trainees), marking the start of a broader rollout designed to nurture young talent and position these destinations prominently on national and international skiing maps.
During the same event at the Civil Secretariat in winter capital Jammu, Chief Minister Abdullah unveiled the 2026 calendars of the Tourism Department and the Jammu & Kashmir Cable Car Corporation. These publications showcase stunning visuals of prominent destinations, cultural heritage, and evolving tourism infrastructure across the Union Territory, serving as powerful tools for wider publicity.
Congratulating the departments, the Chief Minister described the calendars as "visual narratives of J&K’s natural beauty and evolving tourism infrastructure," emphasising their role in promoting the region's unparalleled potential. On the occasion, he also launched the official website of the Directorate of Tourism, Kashmir—a modern, dynamic portal designed to publicise events and destinations, maintain digital archives, and offer comprehensive tourism-related information. The site integrates links to allied organisations such as Jammu Tourism, J&K Tourism Development Corporation, and the J&K Cable Car Corporation, creating a single-window platform for tourists and stakeholders.
Abdullah stressed the importance of a robust digital presence in today's era, noting that the new website would be an informative, user-friendly resource to enhance outreach and facilitate seamless access to all relevant details. These combined initiatives underscore the government's commitment to sustainable tourism growth, youth skill development in winter sports, and leveraging technology to showcase J&K's enduring allure as a year-round destination.
