A keen skier, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said Gulmarg is where he started skiing. Inaugurating the National Ski and Snowboarding Championship in Gulmarg on Sunday, Omar said sports events can showcase the State as the ideal destination for adventure tourism.

Gulmarg has the potential to become an international winter sports resort, Omar claimed. National and international ski events can be organised in the resort. The Chief Minister pleaded for upgrading the slopes at Kongdoori and Mary Shoulder in order to promote skiing in Gulmarg.

Tourism has an important role in the state's economy. "The highest dividend of peace is the arrival of tourists in great numbers in the Valley," the Chief Minister said. However, adventure sports and winter games do not receive coverage in the media that it deserves.

It is for the first time that a national level snowboarding championship is being held at Gulmarg. It is expected to promote winter sports and tourism in the State. Gulmarg is all set to become an ideal destination for Alpine skiing and snowboarding events. Seventeen national level skiers are participating in the event. The championship, organized by the Winter Games Association of Jammu and Kashmir, will end of February 21.