KIWG 2026 Begins Amid Record Unseasonal Warmth in Gulmarg; J&K CM Calls for Artificial Snow Systems

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Gulmarg, February 23: The Gulmarg-leg of the 6th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games began on an unusually warm note in the 'valley of flowers' on Monday (February 23), as the famed ski resort clocked its hottest February days in over three decades.

Just two days earlier, on February 21, Gulmarg recorded a maximum temperature of 21°C, while Srinagar touched 11.5°C, marking the highest February maximums in more than 30 years. The previous record for Gulmarg stood at 20.6°C (February 24, 2016), with comparable highs dating back to 1993. This reporter attended the previous edition, which was held in March 2025, and the weather conditions were much more conducive despite late snowfall.

Against the backdrop of thinning snow cover and rising temperatures, Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah issued a candid warning about climate variability and called for a strategic shift towards artificial snow generation to safeguard the future of winter sports in the Valley.

We Cannot Rely Solely on Nature: Abdullah

Addressing the opening ceremony at the Gulmarg Golf Club - formally opened earlier in the day by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha - Abdullah underscored the unpredictability of snowfall patterns.

"The truth is we cannot rely solely on nature. We decide the dates for the Games at the beginning of the year without knowing when snowfall will occur or how much snow will be there," he said while addressing the gathering.

He urged organisers to remain flexible in scheduling the Games. "I request the organisers not to fix dates in advance. Let us decide to hold the Games 10 to 15 days after sufficient snowfall."

With climate patterns shifting globally, the Chief Minister stressed that Gulmarg's aspirations of becoming a premier winter sports destination would require modern infrastructure support.

Artificial Snow: A Necessary Shift

Calling it a long-term necessity rather than a luxury, Abdullah advocated investment in artificial snow systems.

"Time has come for us to move towards artificial snow generation. I understand concerns about water and electricity usage, but if we do not create this infrastructure, a day may come when we will not even be able to ski in Gulmarg, and that would be truly unfortunate."

His remarks reflect growing concern that erratic snowfall and warmer winters could threaten Gulmarg's status as India's winter sports capital.

Sustainability and Environmental Focus

Jammu & Kashmir Sports Minister Satish Sharma echoed the environmental urgency, emphasising sustainability and ecological responsibility.

"We have to save the earth and give a beautiful environment to future generations," Sharma said, highlighting pollution, ozone depletion and climate change as pressing challenges.

He revealed that the government plans to procure advanced snow-making equipment - similar to systems used in Italy, Switzerland and New Zealand - with hopes of installing the latest technology by next year. "There is a dire need. There should be a sea change. The traditional things are gone. The weather system everywhere has changed."

Sharma also called for a broader policy shift towards sustainability, organic practices and environmental awareness, suggesting that lessons could be drawn from countries like Bhutan that prioritise carbon-conscious development.

Even the locals - whose livelyhoods depend on the tourists - rued the lack of snowfall this season and the soaring temperatures in the month of February. "We haven't witnessed such warm weather conditions in February before. It is going to be a very tough season for us, our earnings are completely dependent upon tourism and with such high temperatures, the snow will melt away, impacting tourists' influx," a tourist guide told myKhel.

Athletes Back the Move

The proposal has found support among athletes as well. Jiah Aryan, a 17-year-old skier from Karnataka who clinched bronze in the women's slalom event on the opening day, strongly endorsed the Chief Minister's stance.

"I think he is absolutely on point. If we don't have artificial snow, we don't have anything. We need snow blasters. And if we get that, then Gulmarg is on top. So I really hope that we do have that in the coming years."

Her comments underline a shared understanding among competitors that consistent snow conditions are crucial not just for competition but also for long-term athlete development.

A Crossroads Moment for Gulmarg

As temperatures rise and snowfall becomes less predictable, Gulmarg stands at a crossroads. The warmth that marked the opening of the Winter Games served as both celebration and caution - a reminder that climate realities are reshaping the sporting calendar.

For Jammu & Kashmir, the push toward artificial snow generation could represent more than a technological upgrade. It may be the key to preserving the Valley's winter identity - and ensuring that future editions of the Khelo India Winter Games are defined by competition, not climate uncertainty.