Himachal ski and snowboard championships begin at Hamta slopes
January 31, 2021: With participation of nearly 200 athletes from the state, the two-day-long Himachal ski and snowboard championships have started at Hamta slopes near Manali on Sunday.
As Solang and other slopes of the state have no snow this year, the races are being conducted at Hamta at altitude of about 10,000ft for the first time. Junior and senior alpine, cross-country skiing and snowboarding races in different categories are being organised. The best performing athletes will be selected for senior and junior national championships starting in a few days.
Cabinet minister Ram Lal Markanda inaugurated the tournament and said winter sports infrastructure will be strengthened in Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts. “Both the districts have huge possibilities in winter sports. Performance of our athletes is outstanding. We shall soon host national championships,’ he said.
Himachal Pradesh Winter Games Association (HPWGA) is organising this tournament in the wilderness, away from Manali town. Cabinet minister Govind Thakur will attend the tournament for prize distribution ceremony on Monday.
HPWGA president Ludar Thakur said, “Snow conditions on slopes are perfect for races. Unfortunately we spent the whole January in wait for snowfall. We searched for alternate slopes at Lahaul and around Manali and finally selected this slope. We plan to maintain this slope in the future as well. Now we are eying the national tournament at Auli and Gulmarg.”
HP Skiing and Snowboarding Competitions from Jan 31
January 27, 2021: As athletes are waiting for good snowfall on the slopes of Himachal for two months, the professional skiers will now throng Hamta valley at an altitude of about 10,000ft for senior and junior skiing and snowboarding championships on January 31 and February 1.
Himachal Pradesh Winter Games Association (HPWGA) had lost hopes to host national or other big winter sports events earlier this season. With below-average snowfall on slopes of Solang and Narkanda, the association could not conduct even state-level tournaments in January. After December, January month passed in wait for a good snowfall, the organisers started searching for natural slopes on high altitude areas with good snow and finally Hamta has been finalised as a venue.
HPWGA president Ludar Thakur said a technical team has been conducting recce of the various slopes of Himachal in the last few days and slopes of Hamta have been finalised. “If we stay dependent on weather, it will be too late as dates of junior and senior national competitions are nearing. Solang slopes have no snow. Hamta has enough snow and the slopes are long and in good condition,” he said.
Thakur added that junior and senior alpine slalom, cross-country skiing and snowboarding races in different categories will held in both male and female category. “The meritorious athletes will be shortlisted for senior and junior national championships to be held at Auli and Gulmarg. Road to Hamta being slippery due to snow, athletes and public will be able to reach Hamta in four-wheel drive vehicles. It’s going to be a thrilling experience,” he added.
The organisers even visited Lahaul valley to see possibility of conducting the tournament and met with the local winter sports clubs. They combed natural slopes above Palchan, Kothi, Solang and other areas but they didn’t find favourable conditions. Hamta will host any tournament for the first time ever. The tournament is being organised by HPWGA in association with Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports.
The athletes of Himachal, including those representing India in world championships and Olympics, are disappointed with the vagaries of weather. With less snowfall, they could not continue with their rehearsals.
Ski and Snowboard India secretary general Roop Chand Negi said senior and junior national championships will be held at Auli and Gulmarg. “Second Khelo India National Winter Games 2021 are scheduled for February 19 to 25 at Gulmarg,” he said.
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