Ice Hockey in Spiti Valley of Himachal
City/town: Kaza (Spiti valley, Himachal)
Size of the rink: 50 M X 35 M
Altitude of ice hockey rink: 12,000 ft from MSL
Temperature: Minus 15 to Minus 25 degrees C
Operation period: December to March
Owner: Spiti administration & Ice Hockey Association Spiti
Road connectivity: Yes
Accommodation facility: Yes (Hotels/guesthouses and homestay at Kaza)
How to reach: Delhi/Chandigarh > Shimla > Rampur > Reckong Peo/Kalpa > Nako > Tabo > Kaza
Nearest airport: Shimla, Kullu, Chandigarh
An introductory video:
Updated on March 14, 2022
After successful organisation of national women’s ice hockey championship, the 11th men’s nationals started at Kaza ice hockey rink in Himachal’s Spiti valley on Monday.
Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI) and Ice Hockey Association of Spiti are conducting this event for the first time in Himachal. Five teams from Himachal, Ladakh, Delhi, Army and ITBP are participating in the event that was inaugurated by Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Neeraj Kumar and IHAI secretary general Harjinder Singh Jindi. The first match was played between Himachal and ITBP.
In an attempt to make Spiti the ice hockey hub of the country after Ladakh, both national tournaments and training camps are frequently being organised at newly developed ice hockey rink of Spiti. Also, the government has announced a high altitude sports center at Kaza with an estimated cost of Rs 16cr.
Jindi said ice hockey sports is possible at very few places in India and rink at Kaza is equipped with dasher board which is rare in the country. “Rehearsal in foreign is done in rink with proper dasher boards. It’s worth praising that Spiti administration is strengthening the winter sports infrastructure. Organising two national events in a row at such a remote location is not easy. After Ladakh, Spiti will be the next ice hockey hub of the country,” he said.
Lahaul-Spiti DC Neeraj Kumar said Spiti is completely cut off from rest of parts of the country in winter season and organising ice hockey nationals is praiseworthy. “Such events will promote winter sports and winter tourism in the district. The residents of high altitude Spiti is more stamina than those in plains. If they are provided with the right platform, they can bring medals for the country,” he said.
The DC added that Centre has launched vibrant village programme to stop migration from the bordering areas. “We shall attempt to develop sports infrastructure under this programme. More than 80 skate boots have been given to the local children of the valley by government.”
Ice hockey is one of the popular games in many nations but it was popular in only a few places in India, especially Ladakh. As weather in Spiti is almost similar to Ladakh, and other sports are not possible in Spiti during winter season when temperature plunges below minus 25 degrees C, an ice hockey rink was developed by administration using locally available resources two years back. The rink has now gained popularity in the country in a short time period.
National men’s ice hockey tournament in Spiti from March 13
Updated on March 09, 2022
National Men’s Ice Hockey Championship 2022 will be conducted at Kaza in Himachal’s Spiti valley from March 13 to 20, an official said on Wednesday.
Himachal had hosted national women’s ice hockey championship for the first time on January 16 this year at Kaza. Now the state has got opportunity to host men’s national at Kaza where ice hockey rink was developed two years back. Ice Hockey Association of India and Ice Hockey Association of Spiti (IHAS) will be organizing the event.
Himachal, Ladakh, Delhi, Maharashtra, ITBP and Ladakh Scouts will be the six teams participating in the event. The teams will reach Spiti on March 12 and tournament will begin on March 13.
An IHAS official informed that this is a matter of pride for tribal Spiti valley that it has got the opportunity to host both women’s and men’s national championships. He said all preparations for the event have been made. He said the ice hockey is new to Himachal and ice hockey rink at Kaza has been built recently. While children from Spiti are being trained with help from professional players and coaches, ice hockey has provided opportunity to the youth of the state to make their career in winter sports.
A 50m X 35m ice hockey rink was prepared at Kaza by the local administration two years back to keep the local children engaged in winter season when other sports are not possible in the valley. The outdoor rink was prepared with indigenous techniques of leveling and freezing the water naturally. The rink is proposed to be developed by the government.
Ladakh wins national ice hockey tourney
Updated on January 20, 2022
Ladakh won the 9th National Women Ice Hockey Championship held at Kaza in Himachal’s Spiti valley on Thursday.
Six teams – Himachal, Chandigarh, Ladakh, Delhi, Telangana and ITBP – were participating in the tournament that started on January 16 at Kaza ice hockey rink. Team Ladakh beat Chandigarh in the final match on Thursday to clinch the trophy. While Chandigarh won the silver, Delhi won the bronze. It was for the first time that Himachal got a chance to host the national ice hockey championship. The tournament was special as it was conducted at the newly developed ice hockey rink at an altitude of 12,000ft.
Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI) secretary general Harjinder Singh Jindi was the chief guest during prize distribution ceremony while Union Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur sent a video message to players and organisers.
Anurag congratulated IHAI and Ice Hockey Association of Lahaul-Spiti for the successful conduct of the championship despite limited resources and infrastructure. “This championship provided an opportunity to local youth to show their talent. Government is going to develop a high altitude sports centre in Spiti and this centre will house the ice hockey rink as well. Youth will get opportunity to obtain professional training and will be able to win medals for the nation,” he said.
Harjinder Singh Jindi said the association got opportunity to organise national championship in Kaza with help of administration and local association. He said the players performed well and should continue training so that one day India wins medals in ice hockey in Olympics.
Additional district magistrate at Kaza Mohan Dutt Sharma said people of Spiti and Himachal are thankful to the national association to give the opportunity to host the event. He said winter sports infrastructure in the valley is being developed where athletes of the nation will be benefitted in the future. He said winter sports will also boost tourism in the valley.
9th Women National Ice Hockey championship begins at Kaza
Updated on January 16, 2022
The 9th Women National Ice Hockey Championship started at the Kaza ice hockey rink of Himachal’s Spiti valley on Sunday with the participation of six teams. The event was inaugurated by chief minister Jai Ram Thakur.
Teams from Himachal, Ladakh, Delhi, Chandigarh, Telangana and ITBP are participating in the championship that is being held at an altitude of 12,000ft. Himachal is hosting ice hockey national event for the first time. The tournament started with traditional welcome of players and guests. Women presenting folk dance while doing ice skating remained the main attraction.
Women National Ice Hockey Championship begins at Kaza in Himachal’s Spiti
The first match of the tournament was played between Himachal and Delhi. Delhi defeated Himachal 4-0. In the second thrilling match between Chandigarh and Telangana, Chandigarh won 1-0. The night temperature at Kaza is below minus 20 degrees Celsius and it is below minus 5 degrees Celsius in the day time which is perfect for winter sports.
Chief minister said it is for the first time that national level ice hockey championship and development cam is being held in the state. He said ice hockey is very one of the most popular sports in the world which will give an added boost to tourism development in the region besides promoting winter sports among the younger generation.
“Ice hockey is popular in Himalayan states like Ladakh, Uttarakhand and Kashmir. Six teams are participating in this championship. The first basic ice hockey ten days coaching camp was organised at Kaza in 2019 by the state youth services and sports department in collaboration with the Ladakh Women Ice Hockey Foundation. Besides Spiti, children from other districts had come to learn the basics of ice hockey,” he said.
A 50m X 35m ice hockey rink was prepared at Kaza by the local administration two years back to keep the local children engaged in winter season when other sports are not possible in the valley. The CM announced Rs 31,000 from his discretionary fund for the students of a local school for their cultural performance.
The CM said the government has announced a High Altitude Sports Center in Kaza with an estimated cost of Rs 16 crore. He said skate boots for training the players have been provided at a cost of Rs 27 lakh and ice rinks have been developed by the administration on small scale at Lidang, Sagnam, Losar, Tabo and Hikmi.
Thakur said the state government has recently given approval to the Swaran Jayanti Sports Policy 2021 to give a boost to sports activities in the state where three percent reservation would be provided to the sportspersons in the government jobs and diet money will be doubled. He said a prize money of Rs 3 crore will be given to the athletes for winning gold medal in Olympics while silver and bronze medalists will get Rs 2 crore and 1 crore respectively. Along with this, Rs 15 lakh will be given for participating in the Olympics. He said pension will be given for medalists in Olympic, Asian and Commonwealth games and Arjuna Award, Dhyan Chand Award and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award holders will get monthly salary.
Ice hockey begins in Spiti, nationals from Jan 16
December 17, 2021`
With ice hockey rink of Spiti at an altitude of 12,000ft becoming operational under temperature dipping below minus 15 degrees C, the training camp has begun here from Friday with registration of as many as 395 children. After two camps — one for children and one for women — the national ice hockey championship will start here next month.
Given the high number of trainees, the ice hockey training camp has been divided into three categories – beginners, basic, and advanced. National coach Amit Belbal will be giving coaching to the students as per their groups. As soon as this camp for children is completed, the national women ice hockey development camp will start on December 25. The national women ice hockey championship is proposed to be started from January 16 in Spiti.
Youth services and sports in-charge at Kaza Skalzang Dorjey said Spiti will be hosting national games for the first time. “A high number of registration for training camp is a sign that both children and youth in Spiti are showing their interest in ice hockey. We are sure that Spiti will develop international level athletes in the near future,” he said.
He added that nearly 80 sportspersons from different parts of the country will be taking part in national development camp from December 25 which will have players from Leh, Delhi, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Himachal and some other states. “We expect five to seven teams in the national championship between January 16 and 20. Each team will have 22 players and 10 officials,” he said.
As other conventional sports are not possible in extreme cold of Spiti valley in winter season, the officials developed ice hockey rink measuring 50m X 35m at Kaza two years back. The local youth and children are showing interest in the sports and are being given training from renowned coaches. These days the temperature at Kaza has slipped below minus 15 and it will be close to minus 25 degrees C by mid-January.
15 Spiti children to participate in advanced ice hockey camp in Gulmarg
December 29, 2020: Fifteen children from tribal Spiti valley of Himachal, where ice hockey has recently been introduced, left for Gulmarg on Tuesday to participate in the advanced national ice hockey camp.
As other sports and outdoor activities for children were not possible during extreme winters of Spiti valley, the administration had introduced ice hockey in last year in December. An ice hockey rink was again prepared at Kaza at a low cost a few weeks back where local children were getting coaching from the coach of the ice hockey national team. The best performing 15 children of the age group 12 to 15 have been shortlisted for national coaching camp for ice hockey.
Spiti additional district magistrate Gian Sagar Negi said this is a memorable day for Spiti that eight girls and seven boys are going to participate in national ice hockey camp at Gulmarg. “This is a foundation to better future of the children and tourism and economy of Spiti. More children will show interest in ice hockey. Hopefully, some of our children will get selected for the national team,” he said.
Ice hockey national team coach Amit Berwal said 30 children from Spiti were chosen for basic ice hockey camp and now 15 have been shortlisted for two-week-long advanced camp at Gulmarg starting from January 1. “The children are accompanied by three teachers. Weather in Spiti is favourable for winter sports. The children can represent Himachal and India in national and international events,” he said.
No machines or equipment are being used in ice hockey rink at Spiti. The rink is prepared by local experts using indigenous techniques by collecting water on the levelled ground in a particular area. The extreme cold of the valley does the rest of the work itself. The temperature in Spiti has dipped below minus 20 degrees C.
Ice hockey in Spiti valley at 12,000ft
An ice hockey rink has been developed at altitude of 12,000ft at Kaza in Himachal’s Spiti valley where administration is running free coaching camps for the local children throughout winter season.
Measuring 50m X 35m, this is the highest functioning ice hockey rink in the world at this altitude. A coach of national ice hockey team has reached Spiti to train the local children. National and international ice hockey players from Ladakh will also reach Spiti in a few days. The local administration is running the training camps for local children free of cost. As cricket, football or other outdoor games are not feasible in extreme cold of Spiti, the administration is focusing on promotion of winter sports.
Additional district magistrate at Kaza Gian Sagar Negi said, “The ice hockey rink is ready in the second consecutive year. The children from Spiti will be trained by the top coaches and players. The rink is close to Kaza and the ice quality is perfect due to low temperature. Hopefully, the rink will be available for a long time until ice starts melting due to increase in temperature. Children will not be charged for coaching.”
Ice hockey is popular in Ladakh where many rinks are available for training and competitions. Kaza being higher than Leh, the ice rink here is higher than that of Leh. However, ice hockey match at world’s highest rink was played at altitude of over 14,000ft in Changthang region of Ladakh and the event had set a world record of high altitude sport in 2018. The cold deserts of Lahaul-Spiti being perfect for developing ice skating and ice hockey rinks, the administration is focusing on promotion of the winter sports in the district.
Current temperature in Kaza is dipping as low as minus 15 degrees C and mercury will settle close to minus 25 degrees C in mid-January. The administration is confident that ice hockey will be possible till March.
“We want children to come out of the houses and focus on outdoor winter games. The best performing children can compete on national and international level. This rink is a foundation to the dreams of sports enthusiasts from the valley,” Negi added.
Local residents have started extending their support to the newly introduced sport. Local association of PTA (parents-teachers association) teachers on Friday donated Rs 60,000 to the department of youth services and sports for buying equipment for ice hockey.
Unfortunately, people from other parts of the country will not be able to try their hand at ice hockey at Spiti this season as residents have imposed a ban on tourism till March 31 due to Covid-19 pandemic. The hotels, restaurants, dhabas, homestay and all tourism units are not hosting visitors from outside Spiti. However, the residents believe that winter sports will boost tourism in the valley from next season onwards.
Now enjoy ice hockey at 12,000ft in Spiti
Updated on December 16, 2020
An ice hockey rink is ready to host winter sport enthusiasts at an altitude of 12,000ft from sea level in the Spiti valley of Himachal Pradesh.
The 50mX35m rink has been built near Kaza by Spiti administration to introduce this new sport to the people of the state. Officials believe this can be the highest ice hockey rink of the country as Kaza is higher than Leh.Spiti being coldest inhabitable place of Himachal, the ice in the rink has been prepared with the help of Mother Nature as all water sources get freeze here between December and March. All the enthusiasts can enjoy this sports soon in future but currently officials are planning to train some children professionally.
Spiti being coldest inhabitable place of Himachal, the ice in the rink has been prepared with the help of Mother Nature as all water sources get freeze here between December and March. All the enthusiasts can enjoy this sports soon in future but currently officials are planning to train some children professionally.
The youth services and sports department will conduct the very first 10-day-long ice hockey training programme for children from December 20. The students of Kaza would be encouraged to adopt ice hockey as their winter sport both professionally and for hobby.In the first batch, 40 students from Spiti and five students from Lahaul have been shortlisted for the training programme. Besides this, all the physical education teachers of the valley will be trained in this sport so that they further train the students.
In the first batch, 40 students from Spiti and five students from Lahaul have been shortlisted for the training programme. Besides this, all the physical education teachers of the valley will be trained in this sport so that they further train the students.
Three national athletes from Ladakh Women Ice Hockey Foundation — Stanzin C, Rinchen Dolma and Tashi Dolkar — will teach the students in the camp. Agriculture and IT minister Dr Ram Lal Markanda will inaugurate the training camp on December 20.
Additional district magistrate at Kaza Gyan Sagar Negi said this initiative has been started so that we could develop interest for ice hockey among the students of the district who can represent state and the country in this sport on national and international level.“The climatic conditions of Spiti are apt for ice hockey. Initially we have chosen only 45 students but the number will be increased in the future. Spiti remains covered with snow for five months a year and people here are capable of facing any challenge. It would be a pride moment for people of Spiti if its children perform well in the sports in the future,” he said.
“The climatic conditions of Spiti are apt for ice hockey. Initially we have chosen only 45 students but the number will be increased in the future. Spiti remains covered with snow for five months a year and people here are capable of facing any challenge. It would be a pride moment for people of Spiti if its children perform well in the sports in the future,” he said.
Posted on December 20, 2019
Ice hockey to be a tourist attraction in Spiti: Minister
While inaugurating the first ice hockey coaching camp-cum-tournament on the country’s highest ice hockey rink near Kaza in Spiti, agriculture and IT minister Dr Ram Lal Markanda said the government will improve this newly built rink which will be a new tourist attraction.
The 50mX25m rink was prepared by Spiti administration in just 20 days at an altitude of over 12,000ft at administrative headquarter Kaza. Initially, 45 students from Lahaul-Spiti district have been chosen for the first-ever coaching camp that started on Friday. As common outdoor games are not possible in winter months in Spiti valley which remains covered with snow and ice under extreme cold weather, winter games are being introduced in the valley so that talented sportsperson get a chance to show their talent.
Markanda said a huge ice hockey stadium will be built in Spiti valley which is famous for snow leopard sighting. “We shall develop ice hockey, skiing and other winter sports in Spiti. This will boost the local winter tourism as well. I’ve announced to give Rs 15 lakh to improve the ice rink. Additional Rs 15 lakh have been announced to develop skiing infrastructure,” he said.
The ice hockey camp is being conducted by youth services and sports with the help of Ladakh Women Ice Hockey Foundation. Three national women athletes from Ladakh have come to train the children. Minister said the camp will conclude on December 29 after which children would be sent to Ladakh for advance coaching. He said the government will manage all the expenses on the coaching camp.
“We shall leave no stone unturned in providing our children with the best available coaching in winter sports so that they represent the state and the country on national and international events. Himachal government has made a new sports policy so that good sportsperson gets all the facilities. The Kaza ice hockey rink will establish its unique identity very soon,” the minister said.
The temperature of Spiti dips below minus 25 degrees Celsius. The temperature here remains below freezing point between mid-November and late March. The valley receives heavy snow in winters. As entire Spiti has no indoor sports facility and the villages here are very thin and remote, the government and administration have the plan to develop winter sports infrastructure in the valley.
While water sources freeze from December to March, making it easy to develop ice rinks, the valley has a large number of natural slopes where skiing is possible. Physical education teachers of the valley will also be trained in winter sports so that they teach students in the schools.
Update on December 29, 2019
Ice hockey training programme concludes in Spiti
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