J&K Govt initiates process to assess feasibility of skiing at 7 new tourist destinations

In Jammu and Kashmir, the Government has initiated the process to assess the feasibility of skiing at seven new tourist destinations: four in Kashmir and three in the Jammu region aimed to increase tourist footfall in the Union Territory.

A record 2.95 million tourists visited J&K in the year 2024, up from 2.71 million visitors in 2023, and 2.67 million in 2022.

The new tourist destinations where the scope of skiing is being assessed are Sonamarg in Ganderbal district, Doodhpathri and Tosamaidan in Budgam district, and Bangus in Kupwara district whereas in Jammu region, these destinations are Sarthal in Kathua district, Sanasar-Patnitop in Ramban district and Bhaderwah in Doda district.

The Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) has been nominated as the Nodal Agency by the Tourism Ministry of J&K for the identification of



the new skiing sites and the preparation of a feasibility report for these sites.

For assessing the feasibility of skiing at new destinations, the JKCCC have floated tenders in order to take the services of the interested consultancy firm(s) and the qualified bidders will be tasked with carrying out the inspection of all the new sites and conducting an assessment of skiing, considering various factors, like tourist footfall in the particular area, duration of snowfall in that area, snow longevity, slope of the particular area, among other factors.

Thereafter, the evaluated sites will be approved by the Board of Directors for the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for installation of ski drag lifts/chair lifts and preparation of ski slopes besides other infrastructure for the new ski destinations.