Gilgit Baltistan: Rising trend of Winter tourism and Sports!

Gilgit Baltistan – a rich tourism potential

As the towering mountains, lush green fields, pristine lakes, sprawling glaciers, architectural marvels, archeological monuments and the hospitability of the local people attract tourists from across the globe.

According to the World Bank, Pakistan generated 765 million USD from the tourism industry in 2020, and much of it from the foreign tourists visiting Gilgit Baltistan. 

Despite these impressive numbers in the burgeoning tourism industry of Gilgit Baltistan, the potential of winter tourism in the region remains untapped.

The inhabitants of the region are unaware of the potential of this industry, while the government is yet to start initiatives that would attract tourists to the region during the winter season.

Although, winter tourism is a risky endeavor and only ambitious adventurers dare to challenge the climatic obstacles.

It offers a unique opportunity to experience the raw and unspoiled beauty of nature in its purest form.

Winter tourism involves winter festivals, skiing, snowboarding, winter trekking, rock climbing, mountaineering, ice hockey and ice climbing, amongst other activities. 

Although, winter tourism in GB is in a nascent phase, there have been a few winter festivals and winter games in recent years.

The Shyok Winter Festival, organized by the district administration with the support of the Canadian High Commission and AKRSP in Ghanche.

Baltistan in 2018, was one of the earliest organized winter sports festivals.

Which are gaining attention due to efficient social media advertising.

Naltar Valley in Gilgit, has also been the hub of winter sports activities in GB over the years, including skiing, ice hockey, ice skating and paragliding.

Ice hockey is perhaps the most popular winter sport in GB.

As it has been played in various lakes in Hunza, Ghizer and Skardu.

All the districts in GB have natural playgrounds/venues for this sport throughout the winter season.

And if the sports department in GB organizes an Ice Hockey competition between different districts of the province.

The region has the potential to make it to the Olympics.

This effort will nurture upcoming talent and give them the platform to showcase their skills.

With the success of the game in GB, teams from the rest of the country can participate as well, which will further improve the standard of the game.

Trekking is usually reserved for summers!

As it gives an opportunity to take in the beauty of valleys along the trek, but trekking in winter has its own charms.

Famous treks in GB that are yet to get tourist attraction include the Gondogoro La Pass, Biafo Hisper Snow Lake Trek, Batura Glacier Trek, Rakaposhi Base Camp Trek, Shimshal Pass Trek amongst others. These treks are challenging for novices, but for seasoned trekkers they can be fun.

Naltar has been the hub of skiing for the last decade and we have seen that it produced international-level athletes in recent years. Two of the residents of Naltar have participated in the Olympics in Giant Slalom Skiing so far. Muhammad Karim participated in the Sochi Winter Olympics 2014, while Muhammad Abbas played in the Winter Games 2021 in Vancouver, Canada. With proper grassroots-level investment in other winter sports in GB, Pakistan can hope to win Olympic medals in these games, as the region has both the talent and natural landscape.