Skiing in Pakistan

Skiing is rapidly gaining popularity in Pakistan. Several governed bodies are putting their best efforts for the development of skiing in Pakistan. They have a goal of producing skiers of international repute in the near future. The Ski Federation of Pakistan, Army High Attitude School, Alpine Club of Pakistan, Pioneer Sports and Ski School have a significant contribution in the development of skiing in Pakistan.

Skiing Possibilities

It is snow covered most of the year and are different slopes here where you will go up by trekking or hiking then you may do ski.

Skiing Season

It is snow season is after 15th of December to beginning of March. This uninhabited alpine grassland has numerous clear streams with unusual snow trout. There is also big lake there.

Most of you may not be aware, the skiing opportunities that Pakistan has to offer. Though skiing is in its initial stages in Pakistan, there are various skiing spots that you can go to. For skiing enthusiasts all over the world, Pakistan offers some fine skiing destinations with stunning scenic vistas. These skiing destinations include Malam Jabba, Naltar in Gilgit, Astore, Nathiagali and many others. However, of all the destinations Malam Jabba some 300 kilometers from Islamabad offers excellent skiing opportunities. Most of these famous ski destinations in Pakistan have good facilities; a couple of chair lifts and great sliding and here are plentiful alternative winter activities are available.

You can take skiing as a recreational activity or a competitive winter sport in which the participant uses skis to glide on snow. There are many skiing competition are held around the world. Skiing has a history of almost five millennia. Although modern skiing has developed from beginnings in Scandinavia, it may have been experienced more than 100 centuries ago in what is now China, according to an interpretation of ancient paintings. Alpine, also called “downhill skiing, Nordic and the Telemark skiing are the major types of Skiing. Skis, Boots and bindings, Poles, Helmets and ski suits, Ski goggles and the Skiing gloves are some major equipment used in Skiing.

Naltar in Gilgit

Naltar Valley SkiingWe start our journey from Naltar in Gilgit. Naltar lies in the Gilgit Karakoram range and known as a one of the oldest skiing resorts in Pakistan. It is 40km from Gilgit, here can be reached by jeeps.It is a forested village known for its wildlife and magnificent mountain scenery. Here is a base camp of Pakistan Air Force, and the Ski Competitions are held at Naltar under the supervision of PAF. There are ski lifts, which are under the ‘Ski Federation of Pakistan.

Malam Jabba

Malam Jabba SkkingMalam Jabba is a Hill Station in the Karakoram mountain range nearly 40 kilometers from Saidu Sharif in Swat Valley, known as a major and the most beautiful skiing destination in Pakistan. It is 314 kilometers from Islamabad and 51 km from Saidu Sharif Airport.

Malam Jabba is the only ski resort in Pakistan owned by the Pakistani Tourism Development Corporation having a ski slope of about 800m with the highest peak of the slope 2804 m (9200 foot) above sea level. This Ski Resort was the joint effort of the Pakistan government with its Austrian counterpart, equipping with modern facilities including roller/ice-skating rinks, chair lifts, skiing platforms, telephones and snow clearing equipment.

Astore Valley

Astore Valley is located in the Astore District in the Pakistani region of Gilgit-Baltistan. The valley, adjoining the eastern side of the mountain Nanga Parbat, is about 120 km long, having area of 5,092 km2 (1,966 sq mi). Astore valley has a moderate climate during summer.

Nathia Gali

Nathia Gali SkiingNathia Gali is a mountain resort town or hill station in Hazara in the province KPK of Pakistan. It is a part of the Galyat range, where several hill-stations are situated, closely connected to each other, and with their names mostly ending in ‘Gali’. Nathiagali is known for its scenic beauty, hiking tracks and pleasant weather, which is much cooler than the rest of the Galyat due to it being at a greater altitude. It is situated 34 kilometers at one hour’s ride away from both Murree and Abbottabad, lying midway between these two positions. The drive time from Islamabad is usually about two hours, unless there is a lot of traffic.

Shamshal Valley 

This valley is in the extreme north of Hunza Valley, which is one of the furthest valleys of Hunza borders with China. There is jeep road 53 km from KKH at Passu, through the narrow gorge along the Shimshal River.

Heli Skiing in Pakistan

It is an off- track, downhill skiing or snowboarding that is accessed by a helicopter, as an opposed to a ski lift, and is essentially about skiing in a natural, albeit highly selected environment, without the exertion required for hiking in these countries as in ski touring or ski mountaineering.

Heli Skiing is not common but gaining popularity in Pakistan with the passage of time. As we discussed earlier, there are several adventurer destinations in Pakistan, and there are endless possibilities for Heli-Ski runs in these destinations.

Heli-Skiing offered at skiing locations in Karakorum Mountains and Gulmarg also is growing rapidly; no-doubt the future of Heli Skiing is very bright in Pakistan

Essentials for Skiing

After knowing about the major and popular skiing destination, certainly you want to visit a skiing location in Pakistan to enjoy skiing here. But, before planning about a skiing tour, let me tell you some about skiing resources to make your skiing tour more and much successful.

Skiing is a recreational activity and competitive sport, and it needed a lot of care and safety. Your know-how about the destination, the environmental condition of location and the proper availability of equipment is very important to make your skiing successful.

The most significant thing is money, because skiing is a very expensive activity and it called for a great deal of money to fix the necessary arrangements for it.  Choose a destination and after that arrange a handsome budget before travelling to the site. The other things have significant contribution to your skiing activities included:

1. Snow Jackets and Snow Pants
2.  Ski Glasses
3.  Ski Mask
4. Long Johns
5. Extra warm socks
6. Digital camera
7. Cross Country/ Slope ski’s
8. First Aid (injuries or illness are possible)