ISLAMABAD: A two-day winter festival concluded in Gilgit Baltistan’s Skardu city in northern Pakistan on Tuesday with mesmerising performances by local artists on the Hussainabad ice rink.
The Gilgit Baltistan Tourism Department organised the event in collaboration with local communities and sponsors.
Ice hockey games
The two-day Frozen Fairytale Winter Feast 2025 included nail-biting games of ice hockey, ice skating, ice curling and other traditional games, according to Dawn.
The spectators also enjoyed the traditional food stalls and were mesmerised by local artists who performed the traditional sword dance on folk music wearing local attire.
Sports festivals
Currently, winter sports festivals are underway in various areas of Gilgit-Baltistan to promote the region’s winter tourism potential.
GB Health Minister Raja Azam Khan, Chief Secretary Abrar Ahmed Mirza, Tourism Secretary Zameer Abbas and many locals and tourists attended the closing ceremony.
The ice skating event saw the participation of a high number of local athletes, both male and female, from Shigar, Ghanche, Kharmang and Skardu.
Young skaters glided on the ice, waving the Pakistani flag on the tunes of national songs.
In the final ice hockey competition, Skardu B defeated Skardu to win the trophy.
Chief Secretary Mirza, the chief guest, presented the trophy to the winning team. He praised the players and highlighted the importance of such events in promoting local talent, tourism and culture.