Warm weather fails to deter athletes at Khelo India games

Despite unusually warm weather in the high-altitude resort of Gulmarg, athletes competing in the sixth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 remain upbeat, showcasing their talent on the national stage.

The Games commenced at the famed ski resort on Monday under bright sunshine, prompting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to advocate a shift towards artificial snow generation to safeguard the future of winter sports in the region.

On the second day of the event, as discussions around climate change gathered pace in Gulmarg, athletes continued to bag medals, overcoming the challenges posed by changing weather conditions.

Anchal Thakur, a professional athlete from Himachal Pradesh who won gold on Tuesday, said that despite new weather-related challenges, competitors remained determined.

“There is less snow. But, I want to congratulate the Khelo India games, they have managed the event properly,” she said.

She added that, unlike earlier years, the competition slope had been shifted to higher areas due to reduced snowfall. “The competition track is made depending on the snow. Now, we are seeing the track is now on the upper side.”

Thakur said reduced snowfall had also limited practice time for athletes.

Hazika Farooq, a young athlete from Jammu and Kashmir, echoed the concern.

“It is very difficult to ski under the bright sun. I have never seen such warm weather. Earlier in March, one can find a lot of snow in the higher reaches of Gulmarg. Now, things are changing and we can find patches are open,” she said.

The Meteorological Department last week recorded Gulmarg’s highest-ever February maximum temperature at 11.5°C, raising concerns over snow availability and the sustainability of winter sports.

On Monday, the Chief Minister said the time had come “for us to move towards artificial snow generation.” “The truth is we cannot rely solely on nature,” he said.

Many participants supported the proposal.

“It is much needed here given the change in the weather pattern. I really hope that we do have that in the coming years,” said Jiah Aryan, a 17-year-old skier from Karnataka who has so far clinched two bronze medals in the ongoing Games.