40 join skiing at Trilokinath slopes

Tribune News Service

Mandi, January 25

To encourage the youth of the Lahaul valley to take up winter sports, the Winter Sports Club Shakoli in association with the Saat Dhara Club Hinsa is organising skiing courses free of cost at Trilokinath slopes in Lahaul and Spiti district.

It is for the first time that skiing courses are being organised for winter sports lovers from any part of the country free of cost at Trilokinath slopes of the Lahaul valley, which remains covered with a thick blanket of snow throughout the winter.

The first basic course was inaugurated recently with 40 youths from the valley participating. Many more youths have applied for the courses. People from outside Lahaul could not apply for free basic courses as the Manali-Atal Tunnel-Lahaul road is closed for normal traffic in view of heavy snowfall in the region.

Jai Ram Thakur, coordinator of skiing courses, said that trained skiers Duni Thakur and Rohit Lopa would provide the basic training to the participants. He added that Lama Hinshey, priest of the Trilokinath temple and Dr Vishesh Thakur, inaugurated the first course.

“The courses are free of cost. We have 40 participants in the first eight-day basic course. The courses will continue during the winter. Unfortunately, the youths from outside Lahaul and Spiti district cannot access the Lahaul valley to take part in the basic course of skiing due to the lack of transportation facility,” he said.

He said that Lahaul experiences a longer winter than other parts of the state and the valley could become a winter sports hub of the country due to its vast and amazing natural ski slopes.

“The quality of snow in Lahaul is perfect for skiing due to the cold weather. The natural slopes of Trilokinath are over 2 km long. All that is needed is little infrastructure improvement to promote skiing in the region,” he added.