Gulmarg to host national ice skating championship

With an eye on Winter Olympics 2018, the Government on Monday announced the opening up of Kashmir’s winter destination Gulmarg for the 12th National Ice Skating Championship.

At least 17 States will participate in the event that will be held in January next year. Around 150 athletes will take part.

The championship will include Short Track Speed Skating, Dancing and Figure Skating.

“We aim at skiers from J-K making it to the world skiing championship to be held in South Korea in 2018 with such events,” said Tourism Director Mehmood Shah.

Located 45 km north of Srinagar, Gulmarg will host the Championship from December 30 for five days.

States like Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have registered with the National Ice Skating Association for the event.

Ice Skating Association General Secretary R.K. Gupta said the national-level event in Kashmir “will help in ascertaining and bringing talent to the forefront.”

Gulmarg is known for its deep and dry curry powder snow. According to experts, the snow quality here is unique due to the high altitude and southern exposure of the continent at around 35° degrees latitude