- Gulmarg Challenge: How athletes readying for their dream stage at Khelo India Winter Games 2026
- The Gulmarg leg of KIWG 2026 will be held from Feb 23–26
- The first leg of KIWG 2026 was held in Ladakh from Jan 20–26
Gulmarg (Jammu & Kashmir), Feb. 17: On February mornings in Gulmarg, the world feels quiet. The first gondola hums upward, pine trees sag under fresh snowfall, and the Pir Panjal glows pink in early light. On the slopes below, India’s winter sports athletes are hard at work. They slice through corduroy snow, practicing turns that will last seconds but define seasons.
Gulmarg will host the sixth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games from February 23 to 26, 2026. The first leg featuring ice sports like skating and hockey was held in Ladakh from January 20–26.
This will be the sixth consecutive year the Games take place in this Himalayan bowl. No other Indian town can claim such consistency in hosting a national sporting event. This continuity has earned Gulmarg the title of “India’s Winter Sports Capital.” Since the inaugural 2020 edition, the Games have evolved, but Gulmarg remains the fixed point around which India’s winter sports ambitions revolve.
Watch preparation video on Instagram
Four medal events and 400 athletes
Gulmarg will host four medal events: Ski mountaineering, Alpine skiing, Nordic skiing (cross-country), and snowboarding. At least 400 athletes are expected to participate, with Alpine skiing seeing the highest numbers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described the Khelo India Winter Games as a “symbol of a new sporting confidence.” The Games bring athletes from all 36 states and Union Territories, transforming Gulmarg into India’s winter sports playground.
Competitors from Ambala, Hyderabad, Indore, Pune, Madhya Pradesh, and other regions are now preparing at nearly 8,700 feet above sea level, where altitude adds another layer of challenge.
Athletes embrace the Gulmarg Challenge
On the upper slopes near Kongdoori, Ankush Bazala from Jammu trains intensely.
“You don’t just train your legs here. You train your lungs, your nerves, your patience. Gulmarg pushes you to be better.”
Kanika Shan from Jammu studies her performance footage carefully.
“This platform changed winter sports. Before Khelo India, you felt invisible. Now you feel recognized.”
Hrishi Gulhane from Pune describes the altitude impact:
“The first two days, your chest feels tight. But once you adjust, it sharpens you.”
Atul Vaid from Indore calls Gulmarg:
“India’s answer to the Alps. The terrain is technical, and winning here means everything.”
New athletes discover snow and opportunity
Yashwant Reddy from Hyderabad, transitioning from skydiving to skiing, says:
“Jumping from planes is easier. Here, gravity is constant.”
Muhammad Sinan from Kerala adds:
“We don’t grow up with snow, but here you feel part of something bigger.”
Rohit Sunny from Ambala speaks of race-day intensity:
“When you stand at the start gate, it’s silent. Then everything disappears except the next turn.”
Saurabh Sahu from Madhya Pradesh believes standards have improved nationwide:
“There’s accountability now. There’s pride.”
Adwith Kesi Reddy from Hyderabad calls Gulmarg:
“A dream stage. You grow up seeing snow, then one day you compete on it.”
For local athletes like Kanika Shan, the moment is personal:
“This is home. Winning here feels different.”
Beyond medals, a national sports hub emerges
As February 23 approaches, Gulmarg is transforming. Flags will rise, timers will start, and skis will carve fresh snow. The Indian Army will defend its team championship crown.
What was once primarily a tourist destination is now firmly established as India’s winter sports capital.
Useful Links
Medal tally: winter.kheloindia.gov.in/medal-tally
More information: winter.kheloindia.gov.in