Unregulated ski instructors raise safety concerns in Gulmarg
Baramulla, Feb 2: The mushrooming of unregistered and untrained ski instructors amid a surge in tourist arrivals has emerged as a major safety concern at Gulmarg, even as officials say only a limited number of certified instructors are authorised to operate at the ski resort.
Notably, the tourist resort Gulmarg, known for its world-class skiing slopes, has witnessed an unprecedented tourist rush this winter season, with thousands of visitors thronging the famed ski resort daily to experience its powder snow and adventure sports.
According to official sources, around 20 skiing instructors are currently registered and certified to operate in Gulmarg.
"We have around 20 skiers registered with the tourism department," said Assistant Director tourism department in Gulmarg, Tahir Wani.
Despite this limited number of certified tourist instructors, scores of individuals claiming to be ski instructors can be seen surrounding tourists, particularly beginners, offering their services without any proof of training or certification.
"It is completely mess here," said Abhishek, a tourist who was on a visit to experience the skiing in Gulmarg.
He said he came here for a skiing adventure, and on his arrival, the hotel management provided him a skiing instructor who was not registered with the department.
"It is important to have service of certified skiing instructor. Everyone cannot be a skiing instructor. Most of the skiing instructors here are either sledge operators or from some other trade, " Said Abhishek.
Tourists, especially first-time skiers, often fall prey to these untrained individuals who aggressively solicit customers near ski slopes and gondola stations.
The skiing instruction is a technical sport that requires proper training, and being coached by an unqualified instructor can lead to serious injuries, accidents, and even life-threatening situations.
"Tourists do not know the difference between a certified instructor and a random person posing as skiing instructor. This puts their safety at great risk,” said a certified skiing instructor.
He said the lack of regulation has raised serious questions about accountability.
"If only a limited number of instructors are officially registered, how are so many others allowed to operate freely? Who grants them permission, and why have the concerned authorities failed to streamline the system, " he added.
The hotels and guesthouses across Gulmarg are running at full capacity, while the Gulmarg Gondola continues to witness long queues as tourists eagerly head towards the upper reaches for skiing and snow activities.
Meanwhile, the Assistant director tourism, Gulmarg, Tahir Wani, said that they are streamlining the system.
"We are allowing only certified skiing instructors. The system is being regulated. Further, if any uncertified skiing instructor is found operating in Gulmarg, action will be taken against him," he said.
