The winter sports activities in the snow-covered Kashmir began with the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering's first skiing course of this season at the Gulmarg resort.
"IISM has taken the lead in conducting first ski course at Gulmarg despite low snowfall in the skiing resort this winter," a spokesman of the Institute said.
This year the pattern of snowfall has been unusual as it has snowed very heavily in all regions of Pir Panjal and Kashmir Valley but there has been low in Gulmarg.
Additional Director General (ADG) of Tourism, Government of India, Dr R K Bhatnagar gave away the prizes to the winners in different events held during the skiing course.
"Seventy students from different parts of the country participated in the first ski course. Around 30 students were sponsored by Winter Games Association of Punjab," the spokesman said.
J S Dhillon, the Principal of the Institute, said the IISM has become very popular and there is a long waiting list of the students who want to enrol for the different courses of the Institute.
"In view of the growing popularity of the Institute, we will take up a case with Government to increase the intake capacity of the institute and upgrade its training infrastructure," Dhillon said.
The Institute will conduct six snow skiing courses this winter and will also train some local boys to take part in the National Ski Championships, he said.
Bhatnagar said the IISM Gulmarg is playing a vital role in promoting adventure tourism in the country.
