The Khelo India Winter Games continue to play a key role in promoting winter sports among Indian youth. The 2026 edition was inaugurated at Gulmarg by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who welcomed athletes and officials from across states and union territories.
During the opening ceremony, he described the event as more than just a sports competition. According to him, the Games celebrate India’s sporting legacy and demonstrate how sports can bring people together despite differences in language, culture, and region.
The Khelo India Winter Games aim to revive values such as peace, equality, and camaraderie. When athletes train and compete together, they naturally build friendships that go beyond regional boundaries. This shared sporting culture is one of the core goals of the initiative.
The Khelo India Winter Games continue to expand their footprint across the country. In the 2026 cycle, the opening phase was held in Ladakh from January 20 to 26, drawing enthusiastic participation. The second leg in Gulmarg now carries that momentum forward.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, while inaugurating the event, noted that Jammu and Kashmir has shown encouraging progress in the sports sector in recent years. According to him, this growth is closely linked to infrastructure projects supported under the Prime Minister’s Development Package and assistance from the Union Sports Ministry.
He highlighted that the creation of nearly 100 Khelo India centres has helped nurture young talent. The Khelo India Winter Games are increasingly becoming a platform where emerging athletes can test themselves at a national level.
The 6th edition Khelo India Winter Games is being seen as another important step in strengthening India’s winter sports ecosystem. Around 400 athletes from different states and union territories are competing in the Gulmarg phase, which runs from February 23 to 26.
Gulmarg Winter Games 2026
The Gulmarg Winter Games 2026 are also expected to provide a boost to the local economy. With athletes, support staff, and visitors arriving in the hill resort, businesses linked to tourism are seeing increased activity.
Hoteliers, ski instructors, guides, and transport operators typically experience higher demand during the Khelo India Winter Games period. Local stakeholders often view the event as an important seasonal opportunity that supports winter tourism in the region.
Officials say the growing scale of the Games is helping position Gulmarg more strongly on India’s winter sports map.
Khelo India Winter Games venue 2026
The Khelo India Winter Games venue 2026 — Gulmarg — remains central to India’s winter sports ambitions. However, officials have acknowledged a practical challenge: dependence on natural snowfall.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, speaking at the event, said the government is committed to developing Gulmarg into an international ski destination. At the same time, he pointed out that relying entirely on natural snow is not a sustainable long-term strategy.
He stressed the need to move toward artificial snow generation systems. According to him, without such infrastructure, there could be seasons in the future when skiing activities face disruption.
The discussion around artificial snow highlights how the Khelo India Winter Games are also pushing conversations about modern sports infrastructure in mountain regions.
The Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg once again underline the growing importance of winter sports in India. While the event celebrates athletic skill and determination, it also brings focus to infrastructure needs, tourism opportunities, and long-term planning.
As the Khelo India Winter Games continue to expand in scale and visibility, their real impact will likely be seen in how well they prepare India’s young athletes for bigger global stages while strengthening Gulmarg’s identity as a premier winter sports destination.
