The fourth season of the National Grass Ski Championship has begun at the scenic tourist destination of Toli Peer in Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday.
According to the TV channel, a total of 104 athletes from nine teams across the country are participating in the event, including 35 women competitors.
The objective of the championship is to promote adventure sports in Pakistan and to nurture emerging young talent in the field.
The organisers of the championship believe that such events are also playing a key role in highlighting the tourist potential of various scenic spots in Azad Kashmir.
The hilly area of Toli Peer is located about thirty kilometres from Rawalakot and sits at an elevation of 9,000 feet above sea level.
The event is being organised under the supervision of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Winter Sports Association and supported by the Winter Sports Federation of Pakistan.
The Department of Sports and Tourism of Azad Kashmir is also assisting in hosting the championship.
According to the organisers, the athletes participating in the competition belong to different regions of the country, representing nine teams in total, with 104 athletes, 35 of whom are women.
The purpose of the championship is not only to encourage adventure sports and enhance young talent but also to promote healthy recreational activities in the region.
Organisers further stated that the increasing popularity of grass skiing is contributing to both the growth of sports and tourism in Pakistan.
They added that this growing interest is also opening economic opportunities for the local population, especially due to the rising number of tourists visiting the region during such events.
In recent years, the National Grass Ski Championship has become a permanent feature in Pakistan’s adventure sports calendar.
The event is gaining popularity among both athletes and spectators, and it is helping position Azad Kashmir’s stunning mountain landscapes as a seasonal adventure tourism hotspot.
The closing ceremony of the event is scheduled to take place tomorrow, on October 18.
Grass skiing, or skiing on grass, is both a recognised adventure sport and a training method used by alpine skiers during the snowless months.
The skis used for grass skiing are short and equipped with rolling treads or wheels, allowing them to be securely fastened to the skier’s boots. Depending on the athlete’s skill level, high speeds and even jumps can be performed while skiing on grass.
Grass skiing was invented by Josef Kaiser in Germany in 1963, originally as a summer training tool for skiers in preparation for the winter season.
In its early days, grass skis resembled rolling tread-like structures that were strapped to ski boots. Today, there are two main types of grass skis in use: wheeled models and tracked ones.
Wheeled grass skis can be used across various terrains and are suitable for freestyle and off-piste skiing.
Tracked skis, on the other hand, are specifically designed for use on grassy slopes and are generally preferred for structured competition settings.
Reporter: Syed Masood Gardazi