Fresh snow adds cheer as ski course ends in Gulmarg

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 18

The Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering (IISM) completed its sixth skiing course of the season at Gulmarg skiing resort in north Kashmir.

“The fresh snowfall brought in cheer and facilitated the IISM to complete its 6th ski course successfully. Today, more than 80 students passed out from the IISM completing a two-week ski course here in Gulmarg,” IISM Principal Col JS Dhillon said.

Speaking on the occasion, Cable Car Corporation General Manager Riyaz Ahmad Malik, who was the chief guest, said the institute was not only promoting adventure tourism in the state, but also helping local youth to gain meaningful employment as guides and instructors in the tourism sector after qualifying its various adventure courses.

Dhillon said the institute trained more than 500 youth every winter in skiing courses. “It has also trained youth from remote areas free of cost. Many youths, who passed out from the IISM, have become national champions and are likely to represent the country in international competitions,” he said.

He said the institute gave an opportunity to local youth to interact with several professionals and intellectuals, who come from all over the country to do ski courses. Recently, a three-year-old girl, Zainab, became the youngest to qualify the basic ski course.