As skiing season has come to an end in most of the countries, the National Skiing and Snowboarding Championships will start on the slopes of Himachal’s Lahaul valley at altitude of above 11,000ft from March 26 to 28. The athletes are thrilled to participate in the first of its kind competition in the late March during onset of summer season. Over 150 athletes from eight state associations, Indian Army, ITBP and individual athletes from many states will throng cold deserts of Lahaul-Spit district known for its prolonged winter season. Both skiing and snowboarding races will be conducted in different categories. Earlier Himachal Pradesh Winter Games Association (HPWGA), Lahaul-Spiti administration and local clubs of the district were organising the events in first week of April, but now they have decided to conduct the races from March 26 to 28. The tournament is being organised by Himachal government, HPWGA, Lahaul-Spiti administration, many adventure sports clubs of Lahaul valley in association with Ski and Snowboard India. The event in late winter season was the brainchild of tribal development minister Dr Ram Lal Markanda as he believed this will bring Lahaul valley on the international map of winter sports destination. HPWGA president Ludar Thakur said this will be a first of its kind winter sports tournament of the country. “All preparations will be made in the next few days. The dates of the event will also be finalised in a couple of days. I have talked to the associations and other teams across the nation who are thrilled to know about such an event in late March which is otherwise the summer season," he said. "Weather and environment in Lahaul are completely different from other parts of the country and we shall take its full advantage. In the future, too, we can organise national
As skiing season has come to an end in most of the countries, the National Skiing and Snowboarding Championships will start on the slopes of Himachal’s Lahaul valley at altitude of above 11,000ft from March 26 to 28. The athletes are thrilled to participate in the first of its kind competition in the late March
