Mardi hill to organize Skiing activities

The Mardi trek, in which one can reach the mountains in a short time through hiking, has gained interest and discussion in recent years. With the same interest and discussion, Sustainable Winter Ski Festival is being held at Mardi Base Camp from February 10 to 18, organized by the Sustainable Himalayan Fund with the objective of conveying the message that the place is suitable for visiting throughout the year, said Director Sudip Gautam.

He said that the festival was being held with the objective of conducting tourism activities in Mardi Himal in all 12 months. "Efforts are being made to continue the tourism activities by operating skis at this time of the year in view of the cold weather in the mountainous region," he said, adding that the festival would send a message that mountain tourism can be operated in all seasons.

According to the organizer Gautam, the festival will be held under the training and facilitation of international ski instructor Krishna Thapa Magar. The festival will help to further promote the Mardi Himal trek. Prabhat Adhikari, a member of the Sustainable Himalayan Fund, said that the festival was aimed at conveying the message that tourism in the Himalayan region is open for all seasons. Named the Great Himalayan Ski Tour, the festival is expected to further highlight the tourism importance of Mardi Himal and boost tourism activities in the days to come.

Informing that this is the eighth phase of the festival being organized by the organization in Mardi, the member official said that the festival has been held in Manaslu, Kalinchowk, and other places before. Under the festival, a documentary on hiking, basic ski and snowboard training, life-saving training, interaction with the local community, and skiing will be screened.

Stating that ski training has been conducted in the Langtang area six times on behalf of the organization, he said that there are about 50 people in Nepal who can provide ski training. The organizers have emphasized the participation of guides, mountaineering guides, and those working in the tourism sector in the festival where people from all walks of life can participate. It is believed that the festival will, directly and indirectly, benefit 300 people and will promote mountain tourism as well as establish a slogan for ski skills transfer and Nepal's tourism for all seasons.

Shesh Kant Sharma, president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, Gandaki, said that the festival would give a good message not only for trekking and mountaineering but also for skiing. "Skiing activities have been on the rise in Kalinchowk, near Kathmandu, Nepal for the past few years," he said.

Stating that some people from Nepal travel to Europe, Switzerland, and other places for skiing, Chairman Sharma said that the festival would also highlight the issue of skiing within Nepal.