Gulmarg all set to host fifth edition of Khelo India Winter Games in February

Since first event was held in 2020, Gulmarg experiences rise in tourist footfall

Srinagar: The preparations for the fifth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games are in full swing at the famous ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, with officials expressing optimism over the event’s growing success and its positive impact on tourism.

Scheduled to take place in February 2025, this edition of Games is expected to bring together top athletes from across the country, competing in various winter sports. Officials are hopeful that the event will surpass previous editions in terms of participation and audience engagement.

Officials said since the first Khelo India Winter Games were held in 2020, Gulmarg has experienced a notable rise in tourist footfall, with more people drawn to the destination’s allure as a premier winter sports hub.

“The visibility of Gulmarg as a key venue for national winter sports has sparked a growing interest from tourists and sports enthusiasts alike,” they said and added the preparations are going on to make the event a grand success.

The Khelo India Winter Games will once again be held in two legs as the government has announced that the Union Territory of Ladakh will host the ice events from January 23 to 27, 2025 while the UT of Jammu & Kashmir will host the snow events from February 22 to 25, 2025.

President Winter Games Association of Jammu and Kashmir (WGAJK), Rauf Tramboo said the government of India has specifically given hosting rights of Khelo India Winter Games to Kashmir “with the aim to give major flip to winter and adventure tourism.”

“With athletes from all over India coming to Kashmir, the event is going to act as a winter sports and tourism promotion in coming years,” he said.

The Khelo India Winter Games began in 2020. About 1,000 athletes, including 306 women, participated in the inaugural edition. Participation has grown significantly over the years, with more than 1,350 athletes in 2021 and over 1,500 in 2022, reflecting the increasing appeal of the Games in Kashmir.

Gulmarg’s pristine landscapes, world-class skiing facilities, and vibrant atmosphere have made it one of the top winter destinations in the country. The success of the Khelo India Winter Games, which showcases winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey, and snowshoeing, has positioned the resort town as a leading hub for adventure tourism during the winter season.

The upcoming event is expected to be a major attraction for sports lovers, adventure seekers, and tourists alike, further cementing Gulmarg’s place as one of the premier winter destinations in the country.

For the first time in 2024, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, along with the Sports Authority of India, managed the technical aspects of the Games in collaboration with the National Sports Federations and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).