2nd Afghan Ski Challenge – Switzerland

Koh-e-Bamyan covered with snow almost twelve months of the year – Photo by JJ

Located in the Heart of Afghanistan, Bamyan is surrounded by stupendously majestic mountains reaching to 5000 m above the sea level, some of which are worth‐exploring. These mountains offer adventurous tourism, mountaineering, rock‐climbing, etc. playing great contribution for sustainable tourism development and employment for local population. Bamyan is enriched with almost 4‐6 months fully snow‐covered‐mountains from which endless streams flow _being vital water source for drinking, crops and irrigation. There are a number of lakes on the top of Kok‐e‐Baba, Shah Foladi Mountains and Darre Chasht. Therefore, to make better use of these
natural resources, Bamyan offers immense potential for winter sports; ski for instance.

Moreover, winter games contribute to introduction and promotion of Bamyan as four-season tourist destination contributing to employment opportunities and local economy.

Bamyan town looks even more picturesque in winter – Photo by JJ

The history of “skiing” can be traced back when Kabul based family, “Karagar” skied on the slopes of Tapa Marjan (Marjan Hills) with wooden skis in winter of 1965. Following the installment of ski tow at Chowk e Arghande in 1967 by Afghan Tourism Organization, there was hope of introducing another glamorous picture of Kabul during golden periods of the country, but the war devastated the entire infrastructure and dreams of the Afghans. There are efforts to introduce Bamyan as first ski-destination in the country with Badakhshan, Maidan Wardak and Kabul offering if not similar but handsome potentials for winter sports.

Gul is true example of ONE MAN SHOW in the development of Bamyan tourism!

Gul Hussein Baizada with 3 years’ experience in tourism (the Aga Khan Foundation) established Rah-e-Abrisham (Silk Road) Travel Agency aiming to promote tourism and winter games at international level. With the financial and technical support of the Aga Khan Foundation, Gul managed to organize first winter games in March 2010 which drew greater media coverage. The next year, 30 local kids received basic ski training in 4 villages, while, two received more professional ski training by international consultants. The two young Afghan skiers helped facilitate skiing tour for 41 international skiers in the year 2011 and Afghan Ski Challenge in 2012 and 2013. Now, these young Afghans have marked success in the 2^nd Afghan Ski Challenge in St.Moritz Switzerland.

In an online interview Gul Hussein, supervising the tour shared some insight about the tour, his intention and ambitions for winter games’ future in a security fragile country, Afghanistan.

JJ: Who has sponsored you trip and why in Switzerland?

Gul: Top of the World Company based in St. Moritz invited and sponsored the tour with professional ski training. St Moritz Village has similarity with Bamyan’s geography and climate helping use such available resources for winter games development in Bamyan, Afghanistan. Skiing was introduced in Switzerland 150 years ago by British skiers when one-season agriculture sector could not fulfill local economy which is what communities in Bamyan experience too. Now St. Moritz is the most expensive skiing destination in the world where almost 1,000 visitors come every day.

Koh-e-Baba’s snow-covered beauty is a must-ski-experience – Photo by JJ

JJ: What was the main objective of the tour and what activities does the tour cover?

Gul: The objective was to train two Afghan skiers (Sajjad Hussaini and Alishah Farhang) for two months preparing for 2018 winter Olympic in South Korea. Apart from training, we participated in the opening of Bamyan Ski Club in Switzerland, Bamyan Ski Exhibition in Alpine Museum in Bern and the 2^nd Afghan Ski Challenge in St Moritz.

JJ: How does your trip help Bamyan, Afghanistan and what future collaboration do you plan with Top of the World Company?

Gul: We opened Bamyan Ski Club Bar to introduce Bamyan Ski Program to international visitors/ skiers which will [hopefully] bring them to Bamyan helping tourism development in the country. The business profit will be used for future ski events in Bamyan. Moreover, we plan to establish similar club bars in other places aiming Dubai first. For details, the readers can visit the website (http://www.bamyanskiclub.com/) of Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/bamyanskiclub)

Alpine Museum introduces one the remote mountain countries, we convinced them to showcase Bamyan this year drawing international skiing attention and visits to Bamyan.

Organizing the 2^nd Afghan Ski Challenge was aimed at marketing Afghan Ski Challenge which will draw skiers to Afghanistan when the event is held in Bamyan every year.

The other benefit of the tour is making stronger connection between Switzerland and Afghanistan by make sisterhood between St Moritz and Bamyan. Surely, this will give greater international exposure to positive image of Bamyan and help local economy in the longer run.

JJ: How do the visitors find Bamyan Ski Club bar when the media covers only the other side of Afghanistan?

Gul: Since the last two weeks everybody I met are really interested to visit Bamyan and they found it unbelievable what we do for Bamyan tourism development with individual efforts. Bamyan has the potential to become major winter-games destination in the region and for details on skiing site, they can check Bamyan Ski Guide Book (http://www.afghanscene.com/jan-slideshow-jan-slideshow/10060-ski-afghanistan)

JJ: What are your expectations from local and national government?

Gul: I hope, the government aims tourism as the main source of income for Bamyan, develop clear policies for sustainable tourism development; supporting private sectors, ensuring security and safety of visitors. Moreover, special attention to road travel security from Kabul to Bamyan so that visitors/ skiers from other provinces shall feel safe to visit Bamyan.

Bamyan, the next four-season tourist destination in the region – Photo by JJ

With the US-led NATO forces withdrawal, the challenges for economic revival is crucial. One way is to mainstream and strengthen economic driving industries: sports, art/ culture and tourism have huge potential to contribute establishment and growth of all other major industries throughout the country. Here are some photos of the tour provided and copy rights reserved by Bamyan Ski Club officials: