GILGIT: Local people and tourists enjoyed ice sports competitions as the second seven-day mega event ‘Frozen Fairytale Winter Feast 2025’ started at Murtazabad in Hunza on Friday evening.

The first event, ‘National Ice Sports Championship’ was held at Naltar Valley along with other winter sports competitions in Ghizer, Astore and other areas.

A large number of local residents and tourists enjoyed competitions of ice curling, ice skating and ice dance amid freezing temperature at Murtazabad.

Ice figure skating by Sonia Akbar, a grade-5 student from Ghizer, won applause from the spectators who also enjoyed the performances of local artists in traditional attires and dances of elders.

Sonia Akbar became the centre of attention and videos of her performances went viral on social media with netizens applauding her skill in ice figure skating.

Asif Karim, a local resident, said the event had become a source of entertainment for them. Besides the competitions, local food and handicrafts were also displayed by entrepreneurs.

A musical evening featured incredible performances by local artists such as Iftikharuddin, Sher Khan Nagri, Ishtiaq Ahmed, Islam Habib, Sher Afzal and Meherban Ali, celebrating the vibrant languages and traditions of Gilgit-Baltistan.

With a cozy bonfire and mesmerising dance performances, the event brought warmth and joy to the chilly night.

Girls and boys ice hockey teams from Ghizer, Hunza, Nagar and Gilgit were in competition.

The organisers said the events not only promote winter sports and winter tourism potential but also showcase local heritage and lifestyle of mountain communities.

GB Secretary Tourism and Culture Zamir Abbas said the local people had been vibrant to celebrate winter festivities.

The GB government in collaboration with the local communities and NGOs has been organising the seven-day winter festival annually while local communities also hold other festivals as well.

He said the main purpose of the events was to attract tourists in the winter.

“These winter activities attract tourists, which benefit local people financially. These events also promote the image of the region as a winter tourism destination,” he said.

Mr Abbas said GB had huge potential of winter tourism which attracts photographers from across the globe for its unique sceneries, bird sightseeing and trophy hunting.

He said local athletes and players had also excelled in national and international winter sports competitions.

“Above all, local youth have an opportunity for healthy activities when everything is shut in the winter, he said.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2025