Suhail Khan
Sonamarg, Feb 14: For nearly half the year, this Himalayan meadow wears a deserted look—hotels are bolted, roads are buried under snow, and the only sound is that of the wind. On Saturday, that silence was broken by the thud of running shoes on packed powder as Sonamarg hosted the 10th National Snowshoe Championship, in what officials described as a deliberate push to reposition the destination beyond its traditional summer imagery.
Around 173 athletes from 20 states participated in the event, which was organised by the J&K Snowshoe Association in collaboration with the Snowshoe Federation of India.
“It is great to see such a big event with participation from around 173 athletes representing 20 states being held in Sonamarg,” Director of Tourism, Syed Qamar Sajad, told Kashmir Convener. “This will give a major push to promoting Sonamarg as a premier winter sports destination.”
For an economy long held hostage by extreme seasonality—flourishing in summer and virtually comatose in winter—snowshoeing offers a low-cost, high-visibility entry point. Officials argue that unlike skiing, which requires gondolas, chairlifts, and groomed slopes, the sport needs little more than snow and stamina, making it a natural fit for Sonamarg’s winter geography.
Addressing the athletes, Sajad, as per Kashmir Convener, framed them as ambassadors for a valley often perceived through a singular lens. “You must promote Kashmir as a safe and ideal destination for all seasons,” he said, with the emphasis on “safe” serving as a clear signal to the domestic travel market that the tourist calendar need not end in November.
Behind the scenes, the administration scrambled to ensure logistics matched the ambition. With the town essentially hibernating for half the year, hosting a national championship required considerable heavy lifting. The Director directed officials—including SDA CEO Bilal Mukhtar and SDM Kangan—to ensure arrangements were seamless. “I am hopeful that all kinds of facilities are being made available and nothing is lacking,” he assured participants.
On the track, local athletes lived up to their billing, sweeping the men’s long-distance and sprint categories. Yet the story was not entirely local. Dhanalakshmi from Karnataka stole the spotlight, bagging gold in both the Senior Women’s Long Distance and the 800m Sprint—a reminder that while Sonamarg may be the venue, the stakes are now national.
The championship marks the latest in a series of efforts by the administration to establish Sonamarg on India’s winter sports map. It is also part of ongoing efforts to revive the tourism industry in Kashmir following the difficult 2025 season.
These efforts are already showing positive results, as Kashmir’s other premier tourist destination is set to host the Khelo India Winter Games from February 23.
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