Gulmarg, one of Asia's most popular skiing destinations, is all geared up to host the national winter games next month. It will be the first big event to be hosted in the valley after the abrogation of Article 370 in August last year. Reports state that the Union Sports Minister might be attending the inaugural session.

Officials are of the view that this event will be an opportunity to showcase the beauty of Kashmir at the national level, and participants can become the brand ambassadors of Kashmir, especially Gulmarg that attracts millions of both domestic and international tourists and skiers every year.

Director-General of Youth Services and Sports Saleem-ur-Rehman informed that the national winter games will be hosted from March 7 to 11, and will be a part of Khelo India winter games. He also added that it is going to be a big event, in which around 800 to 900 sportsmen will be taking part in different events.

This year, Gulmarg received its first snowfall as early as in November and has attracted many foreign skiers too. One of the organizers stated that there will be around 30 events that will be hosted under four disciplines, i.e., skiing, snowboarding, snow show, snow cycling, and other such events. Officials further added that during the said event, there will be live displays of local craftsmanship for handicraft, demonstration stalls, apart from food festivals and cultural evenings, which will be hosted regularly during the games.

During the past six months, the valley has been registering few tourists, despite revoking the travel advisory during the first week of October. Authorities are expecting that the winter games might have a positive impact on tourism, and help attract more tourists in the coming season.