Malam Jabba ski resort
| Malam Jabba ski resort | |
|---|---|
 Malam Jabba Ski Slope View | |
  Malam Jabba ski resort Location within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa  Malam Jabba ski resort Malam Jabba ski resort (Pakistan) | |
| Location | Malam Jabba, Pakistan |
| Nearest major city | Saidu Sharif |
| Coordinates | 34°47′57″N 72°34′17″E / 34.79917°N 72.57139°E |
| Top elevation | 2,804 metres (9,199 ft) |
| Base elevation | 2,469 metres (8,100 ft) |
| Skiable area |
|
| Trails | 2 |
| Lift system | 4 |
| Website | tourism.gov.pk/malamjabba |
Malam Jabba ski resort (Urdu: مالم جبہ سکی سیرگاہ) is a ski resort situated in the Hindu Kush range of the Swat Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan at a top elevation of 2,804 metres (9,199 ft).[1][2] The resort is located in Malam Jabba village, 40 kilometers east of Saidu Sharif and 314 kilometers northwest of Islamabad. It is the largest and oldest ski resort in Pakistan.[3]
History
The Wali of Swat, who at the time was the historic ruler of Swat, would move his court to Malam Jabba annually during the summer months. In the summer of 1962, the visiting Austrian ambassador to Pakistan and good friend of the Wali[4], suggested that a ski resort be built in Malam Jabba. The Austrian government funded the chairlift and provided skis and boots, while the Pakistani government built a hotel with 50 rooms. Construction of the entire resort finished in 1988, but the resort sat idle for another 10 years because of disputes over whether it should be run by the government or the private sector. In 1999, the government won rights to run the resort.[5] By 2006, over 20,000 people in Swat were employed indirectly by tourism to the region, including the resort.[6] In 2007, tourism and skiing infrastructure and businesses in Swat took a severe financial burden under Taliban occupation. The resort was converted into a stronghold for militants.[7] In April 2009, Operation Black Thunderstorm (Rah-e-Rast) was initiated, in a bid to retake control of the valley. As the army closed in on positions on the militants, the ski lift was destroyed and the hotel at the resort was set ablaze. The army retook Swat, but years of uncertainty and mayhem had negatively impacted international skiing in Pakistan. In 2014, the Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa leased [8]Malam Jabba to the Samson Group of Companies for reconstruction of the ski resort and hotel, in a bid to boost tourism in the area again.[9] That same year the Swat Snow Festival was arranged to showcase rebuilding activities at [10]Malam Jabba. The Norwegian embassy in Islamabad initiated the collection of skis, and Pakistani Norwegian businessman and politician Aamir Sheikh helped to collect skis, boots and gloves. Pakistan's Olympic[11] skier Muhammad Karim, who participated in the recent Sochi Olympics, competed in the giant slalom and downhill during the event.[6]
Facilities
Malam Jabba ski resort is currently partially functional. The main hotel resort complex will open in 2019.[12]
- Two 800 meter ski runs (reopened)
- 4 chairlifts (rebuilt)
- 60 room five-star hotel (under construction)
- 25 room three-star hotel (under construction)
- Ice skating rink (under construction)[13]
- Ghorband Valley trekking trail (open)
- Sabonev Valley trekking trail (open)
- People from Pakistan as well as abroad enjoy the activities here[14]
See also
References
- ^ "Malam Jabba Ski Resort Guide, Location Map & Malam Jabba ski holiday accommodation". www.snow-forecast.com.
- ^ "Evaluation Malam Jabba". www.skiresort.info.
- ^ "PTDC Malam Jabba Ski Resort Swat". Travel and Culture Services.
- ^ https://korbah.com/wali
- ^ "Skiing in Pakistan?". Durango Herald.
- ^ a b http://www.norway.org.pk/News_and_events/News/Snowy-fun-in-the-sun-with-Norwegian-skis/
- ^ https://tribune.com.pk/story/817783/rising-from-the-ashes-skiing-returns-to-malam-jabba-amid-uphill-challenges/
- ^ https://korbah.com/malamjabba
- ^ Report, Bureau (September 6, 2014). "Luxury hotels, ski resort to be built at Malam Jabba". DAWN.COM.
- ^ korbha.com/malamjabba
- ^ https://korbah.com/skier
- ^ http://korbah.com/malamjabba/
- ^ https://www.jovago.net/blog/malam-jabba-pakistans-first-ski-resort-150
- ^ "Malam Jabba Ski Resort, Best Tourist Place Swat Valley Pakistan | Highest Zipline of Pakistan" – via www.youtube.com.
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