Gulmarg (Jammu and Kashmir), 23 February (HS): On the snow-covered slopes of Gulmarg, three young Indian alpine skiers are shaping their future with a shared ambition of representing the country at the Winter Olympics.
Hailing from the mountains of Manali and the valleys of Kashmir, Sahil Thakur, Syed Jain and Faizan Ahmad Lone come from different backgrounds but share a common goal — to see India compete strongly in winter sports on the global stage.
The trio is mentored by Mohammad Arif Khan, a two-time Winter Olympian. Under his guidance, they recently trained in the Sudtirol region of Italy, where they observed the technical discipline and competitive approach of leading European alpine skiers.
For 19-year-old Sahil Thakur, skiing is both a legacy and a passion. Raised in Manali, Sahil comes from a family of skiers, with his father Devi Chand and brothers Rajnish and Rahul also involved in the sport. He said the exposure in Italy helped him understand technical nuances and approach the sport with a refined perspective. Sahil, who has won gold and silver medals at the national level, also represented India at the Winter Youth Olympic Games held in Gangwon, South Korea, in 2024. He has now set his sights on the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps.
Sixteen-year-old Syed Jain’s journey reflects dedication and perseverance. Growing up in Humhama on the outskirts of Srinagar, Jain won two gold medals in slalom and giant slalom at the inaugural Khelo India Winter Games in 2020. He later secured two silver medals at the Junior National Championships in 2022. Jain received his early training at the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering in Gulmarg. He credits athletes like Arif Khan and six-time Olympian Shiva Keshavan for inspiring Indian participation in winter sports.
Nineteen-year-old Faizan Ahmad Lone’s journey highlights both opportunity and challenge. A five-time national gold medallist and four-time Khelo India champion, Faizan said the sport requires significant financial support and acknowledged the role of his mentor in helping him secure sponsorships to compete internationally. In 2025, he represented India at the Winter Asian Games in Harbin, China, and also competed in International Ski Federation events in Dubai and Kazakhstan.
The three athletes wear helmets signed by Italian Olympic champion Federica Brignone, which they describe as a symbol of motivation. They say the signature reminds them of their purpose and commitment to their goals.
As they continue training on the slopes of Gulmarg, Sahil, Jain and Faizan represent a generation of Indian athletes working to strengthen the country’s presence in winter sports.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
