Omar Abdullah Envisions Gulmarg as Global Ski Hub: CM Calls for Artificial Snow Infrastructure at 6th Khelo India Winter Games

GULMARG, February 23, 2026 — Marking a significant push for sports tourism, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today outlined a strategic vision to transform Gulmarg into a premier international skiing destination during the inaugural ceremony of the 6th Khelo India Winter Games.

Addressing athletes and dignitaries at the world-renowned ski resort—following the formal opening by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha—the Chief Minister emphasized that sustained government efforts are underway to elevate local infrastructure, which will provide immense economic security to tourism stakeholders and local instructors.

Expressing concern over the impact of climate variability on winter sports, CM Abdullah urged organizers to adopt flexible scheduling based on actual snowfall and made a strong case for investing in artificial snow generation systems.

He noted that while natural snowfall is becoming unpredictable, such technology is essential to ensure that Gulmarg remains a viable venue for competitive skiing in the future.

Encouraging the participants to focus on the spirit of the game, he remarked that “participation truly matters more than winning,” while expressing hope that this edition of the games would produce international champions capable of securing India’s first medals in the Asian Winter Games and the Winter Olympics.