Fresh snowfall in the upper reaches of Kashmir, including the tourist resort of Gulmarg, has literally come as a boon from the heavens for winter sports and tourism-related activities in the Valley, with the Tourism Department making arrangements for hosting a ‘Snow Carnival’ later this month.
The carnival, which is organised by the Tourism Department annually at Gulmarg resort, was scheduled to be held in the first week of January but a prolonged dry spell across Kashmir and scant snowfall at Gulmarg this winter almost dashed all hopes of holding of the event this season.
“It has been snowing in Gulmarg since the wee hours today and if it continues for the next 48 hours, as has been forecast, we shall be able to organize a lot more snow-based activities during the coming Snow Carnival,” Deputy Director Tourism Department Peerzada Zahoor told PTI.
Zahoor said the carnival will be held from January 21 to February 5 this year.
The tourism department is planning a wide range of activities for wooing tourists to Gulmarg during the carnival, which has been a hit with the visitors in the past, he said.
“We will have ice hockey, snow boarding, snow sledging, snowball fight competition and painting competitions during the carnival,” the official said.
