Time to move towards artificial snow for winter games, says Omar Abdullah

With climate change posing a challenge to the annual winter games in Kashmir, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday (February 23, 2026) called for artificial snow infrastructure to secure the prospects of future winter sports.

Speaking at the inauguration of the sixth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg, which saw scant snowfall this season, Mr. Abdullah said, “Time has come for us to move towards artificial snow generation. I understand concerns about water and electricity usage, but if we do not create this infrastructure, a day may come when we will not even be able to ski in Gulmarg, and that would be truly unfortunate.”

The J&K Chief Minister requested the organisers not to fix dates of the games in advance. “Let us decide to hold the games 10 to 15 days after sufficient snowfall,” Mr. Abdullah said.

Over 1,000 athletes and officials from 25 States and Union Territories are attending the games in Gulmarg, located at an altitude of 2,650 metres. Athletes started competing in disciplines such as alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, snowboarding, and ski mountaineering on Monday (February 23, 2026). 

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during the commencement ceremony of the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 at Gulmarg on February 23, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
Imran Nissar

“It is not merely the government’s intention but its consistent and sustained effort to develop Gulmarg into an international skiing destination,” said Mr. Abdullah. 

Referring to global winter sporting events, he said, “In the last few days, we were watching the Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy. I congratulate India’s skier, our own Arif Khan, who proudly waved the national flag and represented the country. I hope that from this edition of Khelo India Winter Games, a new Arif Khan will emerge.”

J&K Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha, who inaugurated the games, said the event revived the sporting spirit and ideals of peace, equality, and camaraderie.

“In our vibrant, diverse nation of myriad languages, cultures, and traditions, the winter games at Gulmarg serve as a universal language and shared heritage. The broader aim of Khelo India Winter Games is strengthening national unity,” Mr. Sinha said.

He said intense rivalry yields shared conversations and lasting friendships, “proving healthy competition and mutual respect coexist”. “Our people need this ethos now more than ever. As you race these ski slopes, remember: diversity is our strength, not division. Khelo India reminds us our language may differ, but our goals and values unite us,” the L-G said.

He said the establishment of State-of-the-art sports infrastructure under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) and 100 Khelo India Centres has redefined the sporting landscape. He emphasised that modern infrastructure, coupled with the talent and dedication of J&K’s youth and the proactive support of dedicated officials, had provided a massive impetus to the sector. The four-day games will conclude on February 26.