SHIVADEEP RAI
Lachung: To make Sikkim an adventure
tourism hotspot, Sikkim Mountaineering Association (SMA) jointly with Blue Sky
Tours and Travels of Gangtok introduced Ice Skiing at Phuni in Lachung and
Yumthang on March 18.
Phuni is situated 18 kms from Lachung town in an
altitude of about 11,500 ft. The first of its kind skiing in the State meant
for general public and tourists was inaugurated by Mr. Hishey Lachungpa,
Minister for Health and Family Welfare Department. The Ice Skiing would
continue for fifteen days and it is open for all interested people of the State
and tourists for entertainment in the marvelous snow.
Mr. Kazi Sherpa, General
Secretary of SMA, Pema Wangchuk Bhutia, Mohan Biswakarma, Mingma Sherpa, Dawa
Sherpa and Sonam Wangchuk Lepcha preformed a breathtaking demonstration of Ice
Ski. The six skiers have taken basic course of Ice Ski at Directorate of
Mountaineering Allied Institute in Manali from February 11 to 25.
On the inaugural day of the ski, there were many
tourists. They were seen enjoying each and every moment on ski and playing with
snow. They were even enjoying frequent fall on snow due to mproper body
control. “We never expected to be ski in Sikkim. It is a great surprise and a
pleasing experience for us from Sikkim. Now we don’t need to visit Manali for
Ice Skiing. Sikkim is our Manali. We are not going to forget this special
moment in our entire life”, said a group of domestic tourists who were visibly
excited and happy. Mr. Hishey Lachungpa appreciated the initiative taken by SMA
and Blue Sky Tours and Travels for the promotion of adventure tourism in
Sikkim. He said Ski as an adventure sport has a vast potential of attracting
tourists from all over the world and Sikkim is fit for the promotion of Ski.
Paljor Lachungpa, Managing Director of Blue Sky
Tours and Travels, said that principal objective of introduction of Ice Skiing
is to promote adventure sports and tourism in the State, to generate
employment, to boost tourism and to introduce Sikkim to the world in adventure
tourism.
http://www.sikkimreporter.com/
Phuni Valley beckons
Skiing in Sikkim now a reality
Skiing in Sikkim now a reality
SAIMON PAUL RAI
GANGTOK, March 19: With the introduction
of snow skiing at Phuni Valley on March 17, this picturesque valley located 18
km ahead of Lachung, will henceforth serve as the skiing centre where tourists
visiting this part of the country could enjoy the sport in a relaxed pace.
The vast open spaces above the snowline have been
open to the skiing enthusiasts. The awesome height at 11,000 feet and spread of
the snow clad mountains, with the added advantage of powdered snow are tempting
enough to magnetize the adventurous spirits of the avid skier, providing all
the thrill and excitement attached to the game.
Realizing the immense prospect for tourism, the
Blue Sky Tours and Travels in collaboration with Sikkim Mountaineering
Association has successfully introduced the sport-a time for the tourists and
locals to rejoice at. The State Health Minister, Hissey Lachungpa officially
inaugurated snow skiing in a function held at Phuni on March 17 in the presence
of Senior Superintendent of Police (North)-Tshering Bhutia, Sub-Divisional
Magistrate (Chungthang) Norgay Bhutia and Sub Divisional Police Officer
(Chungthang)Tshering Norbu.
According to the organizers, the new Ice ski
terrain being developed at Phuni valley will definitely fire-up the imagination
of ski-lovers as it offers a new challenge to their spirit of adventure. The
educated unemployed youths of the region can now opt for undergoing a snow
skiing course to become professional skiers and thereafter train the skiing
enthusiasts both within and outside the State for monetary benefits, organizers
said. Besides, the former can participate at snow skiing competitions at
national and international levels.
Speaking to mediapersons, managing director of
Blue Sky, Palzor Lachungpa, informed that the newly introduced snow skiing will
be made available to tourists at the designated location for another 10-15 days
on trial basis with its fee going up to as high as Rs 150 for a time duration
of 30 minutes. “We will work on the project report on snow skiing, which will
then be submitted to the State Government at the earliest for appraisal so as
to play a host to the sport on a much broader perspective in the forthcoming
future,” Mr Lachungpa added.
He further added that plans are underway on the
part of the organizers towards organizing national level snow skiing
competitions alongside to upgrade an advanced ski slope newly opened at
Yumthang, 6 kms further north from Phuni and to introduce ski-doo snow racing
with the sole objective to attract hordes of tourists to North Sikkim which
otherwise the inflow of tourists was on the decline. Meanwhile, Kazi Sherpa, a
professional skier from Sikkim Mountaineering Association on his part stated
that snow skiing facilities and training for beginners will be available during
the best part of winter months starting from the first week of January to mid-week
of March but it would all depend upon the availability of snow. “This is now
the only place in the entire north-east where the Ice skiers can indulge in
their favorite sport in the winter months with a setting just perfect both for
the beginners and the seasoned,” he maintained.
A group of six freshly trained professional
skiers including Pema Wangchuk Bhutia hailing from Bojoghari in East Sikkim,
Mohan Biswakarma (Saleptanki), Mingma Sherpa and Dawa Sherpa, both from Kupup,
Sonam Wangchuk Lepcha (Burtuk) and Kazi Sherpa (Baluwakhani) recently attended
a 15 day long Snow Skiing Course at Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied
Sports at Manali (Himachal Pradesh) through the capacity building training
programmes of the Sikkim government. These professional skiers are available to
guide and instruct the skiing enthusiasts in the sport.
It was a short duration requirement based course
for beginners. The trainees were imparted training in elementary techniques of
skiing like ski exercises, sliding on skis, straight running, side slip, snow
plough and turn, fall and recovery. Speaking to Pema Wangchuk Bhutia, he stated
that he is positively looking forward to undergo a further advanced training
course in skiing and thereafter participate in skiing competitions.
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