New Delhi is buzzing with excitement as the dates for the Gulmarg leg of the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 have been officially revealed. Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya made the announcement, confirming that the event will take place from February 23 to 26 in Jammu and Kashmir’s picturesque Gulmarg.
This sixth edition follows the successful ice sports leg held in Ladakh from January 20 to 26, where athletes showcased their skills amid freezing conditions. Now, the focus shifts to snow sports in Gulmarg, with the Indian Army set to defend its overall championship title.
Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the perfect timing, coming right after the Winter Olympics. ‘The first phase in Leh was a resounding success,’ he said. ‘We expect the same enthusiasm in Jammu and Kashmir as athletes battle nature and tough conditions once again.’ He praised the growing intensity of competitions, especially with figure skating’s addition in Leh, and anticipated thrilling performances on Gulmarg’s Kongdoori slope.
Before Khelo India Winter Games, winter sports in India suffered from low visibility and limited structured competitions. Ice and snow events were niche activities with minimal public engagement and rare international participation. This initiative has revolutionized the ecosystem by creating a national competitive platform, boosting participation, performance standards, and awareness.
The transformation is evident in recent international successes. Figure skater Tara Prasad delivered medal-winning performances abroad, while the Indian women’s ice hockey team clinched a historic bronze at the 2025 IIHF Women’s Asia Cup—India’s first podium in an international ice hockey championship. These feats signal the emergence of a new generation of talent.
Strategically timed post the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics—where India’s Arif Khan and Stanzing Lundup competed—the Gulmarg leg will sustain global momentum domestically. Around 400 athletes are expected to compete in four disciplines: ski mountaineering, alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, and snowboarding, with alpine skiing drawing the largest participation.
As India builds a robust talent pipeline, events like these are pivotal in elevating winter sports from obscurity to national prominence, inspiring future champions.