Srinagar, Nov 14: As summer is over and autumn is fast paving way for winter, it is time to strap on the skis and start skiing for the first time at the famous hill station of Sonamarg in central Kashmir.
Sonamarg will be kept open for tourists in winter for the first time and all the necessary arrangements have been put in place to provide hassle-free movement to tourists.
To boost winter tourism in the Kashmir Valley, the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Corporation has set up the necessary infrastructure and installed a drag ski lift at the picturesque hill station.
Ghulam Jeelani Zargar, Managing Director of Cable Corporation, revealed that the ski lift at this location is complete and just needs to be tested.
He said in the coming days the locals and tourists will be able to ski at Sonamarg for the first time.
He said the French “POMA” company executed work on this project. “Experts and engineers from the company are coming here for the final tests on November 17.”
Sonamarg used to remain closed in winter due to heavy snowfall and avalanches in the Gagangeer area, but with the commissioning of the Z-Morh Tunnel, the tourist destination shall remain open for the first time in winters as well.
“This resort will be open to tourists and we are expecting a record tourist arrival here,” Mushtaq Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer Sonamarg, told Rising Kashmir.
The department has also directed the hoteliers to winterize their hotels so that tourists do not have to face any issue in this regard.
The MD Cable Corporation said the ski lift at Gulmarg is witnessing a huge rush of students and tourists who register themselves for the ski courses.
“This place will provide them a good chance to register themselves for the ski courses here. The cable corporation has set up the infrastructure, and the tourism department, along with the youth service and sports department will organise the ski courses as well as the winter games,” he added.
