While many in other parts of the country are finding ways to beat the cold, different areas of Gilgit Baltistan are organising winter festivals to take the best advantage of the season. The champions from the events would compete in the seven-day festival that would kick off on January 14.

The aerial view of Skardu has gone viral on social media amidst this, with many users highlighting the huge tourism potential of the mountainous area.

Below are the pictures of the festivals:

Khalti village

The three-day Shyok Festival kicked off in the Ghanche district on January 8. The Shyok festival will precede a first-of-its-kind seven-day festival in Upper Hunza, which the government hopes would attract visitors from all over Pakistan.

The sports competitions comprise tiaku polo, ice hockey, rock climbing, and volleyball. Musical and cultural shows, bonfires, rock climbing, Mayfang, Balti cultural shows, and Ltanmo (Local Music & Dance) are part of the event, according to Radio Pakistan.

The administration has established a tent village to host a women’s expo, a food festival, and an organic market.

“Next year. We will arrange a national level winter festival to which other provinces will also be invited,” Gilgit Baltistan’s Sports and Tourism Minister Raja Nasir Ali Khan told Arab News at the start of the three-day Shyok Winter Festival in Ghanche.

Skardu

The three-day winter ice rink festival began in Skardu on January 10, the state-run media outlet reported. The main events of the festival include ice hockey, Yak race, Indus off-road rally, rafting and Mayfung (a local festival of waving fire and light at night).

The festival would conclude on Thursday with the final ice polo competition.

Ghulkin

Gojal’s Ghulkin village, which hosted the mega winter festival in 2022, organised the ice festival on January 5. It would culminate today (Wednesday).

“We are aiming to promote winter sports across the region which as an after effect would result in huge influx of tourists both locally as well as internationally ultimately benefiting the economy of the region,” the office of the chief secretary of GB said in a Twitter thread.

“The snow clad mountains of the region standing tall against the test of time are no less than a treat for those who appreciate nature.”