Manali’s Praveen Sood named president of ski mountaineering body

Praveen Sood, affectionately known as “Pintu” and a native of Manali, has been elected as the president of the National Ski Mountaineering Association (SkiMo India Federation). Ski mountaineering, or SkiMo, is a dynamic sport that combines skiing with mountaineering. It was recently added to the Olympic Games.

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Recognised for its minimal infrastructure needs, SkiMo is gaining popularity worldwide and presents a unique opportunity for India’s snow-covered Himalayan regions.

A former national-level ski athlete with multiple accolades to his name, Praveen has been instrumental in introducing and promoting SkiMo in India.

He organised India’s first SkiMo Open National event at Jalori Pass, in April 2024.

Praveen aims to expand the sport by hosting future events in unexplored regions such as Lahaul Valley, Parvati Valley and Mandi’s Prashar.

As a pioneer of ski exploration in India, Praveen has been at the forefront of backcountry skiing and avalanche safety. Praveen Sood told The Tribune that his focus would be to promote winter sports in the Himalayan region and encourage the youth to take interest in the sport.