Gulmarg buzzes with anticipation for the Khelo India Winter Games 2026, set for February 23-26—a perfect showcase of India’s ‘Khelo India’ policy blending sports excellence with economic vitality. The initiative, rolled out last July, prioritizes infrastructure upgrades, talent nurturing, and global competitiveness, while harnessing events to propel tourism and related industries.
This alpine paradise in Jammu and Kashmir has evolved into a winter sports haven, drawing national attention. Winter Olympians and top skiers elevate the stakes, igniting passion among tourism-dependent communities.
Sheen Woods hotelier Abid in Tangmarg beams as bookings soar. ‘Far more than revenue—it’s our cultural heartbeat,’ he declares, amid athletes from Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala, Telangana, and local heroes. ‘Gulmarg pulses like India’s core during the Games.’
Growth metrics impress: 2020’s inaugural 1,123 athletes crowned J&K top; 2021’s 1,208 saw 18 host golds; 2023’s 1,395 peaked with J&K’s 26 golds, 25 silvers, 25 bronzes. Army, Himachal, and Karnataka stood out in leaner 2024-25 editions.
A terror incident in Pahalgam slashed 2025 tourists to 1.047 million from 2024’s 2.6 million, but recovery is swift—New Year rushes and Games fervor have booked over 50% of 2,300 properties.
On the slopes, operators Altaf Hussain and Mohammad Rafiq gear up. ‘Our golden period,’ Hussain notes. ‘Rides fetch 500-1,500 rupees; daily peaks at 3,000.’
Featuring ski mountaineering, alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, and snowboarding, this sixth edition cements the Games as a policy triumph: fueling economies, forging unity, and restoring Gulmarg’s winter sports legacy.