The stage is set for an exhilarating snow sports showdown in Gulmarg as the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 gears up for its second leg from February 23 to 26. Announced by Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, this sixth edition promises high-octane action following the ice sports extravaganza in Ladakh.
The Indian Army, reigning overall champions, will aim to retain their crown amid fierce competition. Mandaviya emphasized the event’s alignment with the recently concluded Winter Olympics, noting the success of Leh’s phase. ‘Athletes will once again conquer challenging terrains,’ he remarked, foreseeing spectacular timings on the famed Kongdoori slope.
Khelo India has been a game-changer for winter sports in India. Once confined to elite circles with scant infrastructure, these disciplines now thrive on a solid national platform. Participation has surged, performances sharpened, and public interest soared, morphing a fringe segment into a structured development pathway.
Proof lies in global breakthroughs: Tara Prasad’s standout figure skating displays and the women’s ice hockey team’s groundbreaking bronze at the 2025 IIHF Asia Cup, including landmark victories. Such achievements underscore Khelo India’s role in fostering international contenders, moving beyond token Olympic appearances.
Post-Olympics timing—featuring Indian stars like Arif Khan in alpine skiing and Stanzing Lundup in cross-country—amplifies the event’s impact, channeling worldwide hype into domestic fervor. Expect 400 competitors across ski mountaineering, alpine skiing (the marquee event), Nordic skiing, and snowboarding.
This leg not only crowns victors but also cements India’s winter sports renaissance, nurturing talent poised for world stages.