The two major Skiing resorts in Pakistan are in Malam Jabba (Swat Valley) and Naltar Valley (near Gilgit). The Malam Jabba Resort was much more developed with a great hotel and all skiing facilitiies but all are destroyed by terrorist and rehabilitation work is underway. However, Naltar requires some work but still is a very beautiful area and lots of snowfall in the winter. There are also 2 ski lifts here and Ski competition is organized regularly by PAF.
Malam Jabba
Malam Jabba is a Hill Station in the Karakoram mountain range nearly 40 km from Saidu Sharif in Swat Valley. Malam Jabba is the most famous ski resort in Pakistan. The area also contains two Buddhist stupas and six monasteries that are scattered around the resort. The presence of the monuments at such a height indicates that the area has been inhabited for over 2000 years.
The Malam Jabba Ski Resort owned by the Pakistani Tourism Development Corporation, had a ski slope of about 800 m with the highest point of the slope 2804 m (9200 ft) above sea level. Malam Jabba Ski Resort was the joint effort of the Pakistan government with its Austrian counterpart. The resort was equipped with modern facilities including roller/ice-skating rinks, chair lifts, skiing platforms, telephones and snow clearing equipment.
In late June 2008, the Malam Jabba Ski Resort was set on fire and destroyed after being closed for more than a year. A large portion of the resort had been reduced to ashes and the militants also damaged chairlifts and a tower belonging to the meteorological department. In May 2009 however the army started an offensive against the Taliban and retook the town. The ski hill at the resort has now been rebuilt and is fully operational. The hotel has undergone reconstruction and rehabilitation.Malam Jabba is at almost 1 ½ hours drive from Mangora Town in Swat valley. In winters one can easily reach there through jeeps from Mangora
Naltar Valley
Naltar is a valley near Gilgit and Hunza in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. Naltar is 40 km from Gilgit and can be reached by jeeps. Naltar is a forested village known for its wildlife and magnificent mountain scenery. Now the communication is available by the efforts of Pakistan army signal corps. There are ski lifts under the 'Ski Federation of Pakistan'. Transport is available from Gilgit to Naltar.After Terrorists attack on Malam Jabba, Naltar is rightly called the Home of Skiing in Pakistan. Naltar is the oldest Ski resort of Pakistan at an altitude of 10500 feet. Naltar has Ski slope of almost 600 meters. There is a base camp of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) at Naltar. Ski Competitions are held at Naltar regularly under the supervision of PAF. Pakistan Skiing Federation has installed two lifts at the skiing sites and is also planning to install another one there.
