Afghan’s Bamiyan Province was once renowned for the famous Buddha statues destroyed by the Taliban in 2001.
Now it’s becoming a new ski destination, attracting tourists to its snowy slopes.
Many young people are flocking to the area to learn how to ski.
Hundreds of people gather on the slopes of the Khoshkak and Shiber Mountains.
They are all wearing warm clothes and watching other skiers practising.
25-year old Zahra Nasiree has just finished her first turn.
“It’s my first time ever to ski on the mountain. I like it very much! I can’t ski very well now, I fell down every couple of minutes. It’s very good for entertainment. All my female friends can come here to learn how to ski. I hope they can enjoy skiing with me.”
The mountains are located in Bamiyan Province which has long been a favourite destination for both local and international tourists.
It has the perfect climate for skiing and the mountains are covered in snow throughout the winter.
Local skiing companies like the Rah-e-Abrisham Company have been organising ski courses for the past two years, attracting foreigners and locals, including many women.
28 year old Gul Husain Bayee Zada is the company director.
“Today we have 40 Afghan trained skiers, including 15 women. We launched the Afghan Ski Festival today and we are inviting family members to come. When we started the ski course last year, only a few people came. We even had to offer them free meals and transportation to attract more young people to learn how to ski. But today we have 21 ski students and more people are eager to learn.”
Skiing is not new in Afghanistan.
Afghans got involved in the sport back in the 1960s when Kabul’s diplomatic elite headed for the slopes on the weekends.
But with the Soviet invasion in 1979 and the war that followed, the area became unsafe.
This year more than 40 people have signed up for ski courses on the mountains of Bamiyan.
28-year-old Baqeer Tawakoli wants to become a ski instructor someday.
“I’m here with some friends to ski in the Koshkak and Shiber mountains. It’s my first time, finally! I am really enjoying the course. It may not be as safe as Europe, but we can enjoy our lives and the snow now. It seems that we can be like them if we want to, it’s very good for us.”
The snow in Bamiyan is perfect for ski lovers, with moutains as high as 5000 metres.
There are no ski lifts though – but you can hire a donkey from the local villages to carry you up the mountain.
The overall facilities are poor with no mountain rescue service or avalanche warning system and very basic medical facilities.
But it’s safe here says Muhammad Ali Lagzi, Bamiyan Province’s Chief of Police.
“We place security forces in many historical places in Bamiyan to attract more tourists. There are police check points in Ghulghula, Zohak city, the Buddha statues and other areas. We promise all tourists that they will not face any security problems when they visit Bamiyan.”
This year Bamiyan province will host an international ski competition in the Khoshkak mountains.
The snowy slopes have begun to lure tourists back again.
Baqeer Tawakoli sees a bright future for Afghan skiers.
“I think it will be good if Afghan people can create courses or festivals like this in different parts of the country. We can improve the ability of Afghans and send them to international competitions like the Olympics.”
