Clouds of uncertainty over Himachal skiing meet

Manali: The national skiing championship scheduled for next week at Solang slopes near here is marred with uncertainty as the area is totally bereft of snow cover.

The Winter Games Federation of India has allowed the Himachal Pradesh Winter Games Association to hold the National Senior Alpine Skiing Championship at Solang, 13 km from here, Feb 7 to 11.

"We are keeping our fingers crossed (as there is now snow at Solang). We are also planning to move towards higher hills to hold the championship. We are planning to hold a championship at Gulaba (10 km upwards) but there we are facing some logistical problems," association president R.C. Negi told IANS.

"Scanty snowfall on the Solang ski slopes during the past five-six years has disappointed ski lovers. This time the championship has been planned here after seven years," he said.

The championship also has entries from the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, the Border Security Force and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.

"So far 16 teams comprising around 250 skiers from across the country have registered their names for the championship," he said.

According to the meteorological office in Shimla, the Solang ski slopes have so far seen negligible snowfall.

"The Solang slopes have so far received only 35 cm of snowfall, which melted within hours due to high temperature," said Manmohan Singh, director of the meteorological office.

The slopes witnessed mild spells of snow Nov 9 last year and Jan 4 and 13 this year. Singh, however, said there are chances of good spells of snow in the next few days.

"There are chances of moderate to heavy spells of snow across the state Feb 6, 7 and 8," he said.

"The entire hills overlooking Manali, including Solang, are likely to see good spells of snow as western disturbances are approaching the region," he said.

Negi said: "If the weather obliges us with a good spell of snow, then the event will be organised at Solang only."

The association is promoting skiing in remote areas of Himachal Pradesh. Presently, there are 28 ski clubs affiliated to the association.