Prior to the training being made available in one of Nepal’s own regions, the guides were taken to Monali, India for their basic Ski Training.
The opening of such facilities in Nepal is a step in the correct direction. Skiing is an essential, must-have skill for any guide looking to work as a mountaineer abroad. In the off season, these mountaineers look for greener pastures in mountains across Europe and the US.
Besides the Kalinchowk area many other spots in the mountainous region in Nepal have been identified as possible Skiing zones. Places such as Manang, Jomson, Langtang and Khaptad have been identified as these prospect Skiing hills.
Along with research to identify these possible Skiing hills in Nepal, the Nepal Ski Association, formed under the National Sports Council, has also been holding Skiing competitions in these mountains and aims to organise the “8th Summer Ski Festival” from 1st-18th of February in Manaslu and Kalinchowk.
Pratap Adhikary, a member of the Sustainable Himalayan Fund speaking of the festival, said that the festival aims to develop Ski Tourism in Nepal.
Despite considerable strides being made in the Skiing scene here, the common consensus around the mountaineers and Ski enthusiasts is that proper rules and regulations need to be formulated around Skiing in Nepal, with meetings being held between officials of the Ministry of Tourism and the Nepal Mountain Academy.
If the government in tandem with these independent bodies can bring forth and implement these regulations in the Skiing sphere, the Skiing scene shall definitely head towards exponential and sustained development in the country.
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