The locals and those earning from tourism activities here are wondering whether the national junior skiing championship slated to be held at Auli near Joshimath will have to be postponed for the second time considering the absence of snow here. The national championship was earlier deferred from February 12 to February 20 due to inadequate snow on the slope which is presently devoid of snow.
It should be mentioned here that Auli has seen more than seven spells of snowfall in this season so far. However, the quantity of snow was not much and melted off the slopes in two days leaving Auli bereft of snow. With the planned event only a few days away, the slope sans snow at Auli is fueling uncertainty regarding the event’s date.
Technicians from abroad are reported to have arrived here for the purpose of repairing the snow making machines. However, as seen in the past years, the authorities have not succeeded yet in using the snow machines effectively to facilitate the desired snow cover.
The locals involved in tourism and snow sports activities here State that the authorities are wasting money on bringing technicians from abroad.
Even in the past, the authorities have spent money on hiring technicians from abroad but the snow making machines have not been used effectively so far. The weather in the coming days will decide whether the national level skiing championship is held as scheduled or deferred again.