A new ski club launched in the Afghan province of Bamyan is appealing for more support from the international community.
Bamyan is one of the least developed provinces in Afghanistan, which is one of the least developed countries in Asia.
The aim of the Bamyan Alpine Ski Club is to support the local community by training Afghan children in sports, arranging competitions in the region and managing the equipment that has been donated by tourists.
A ski club in the province folded when the Taliban retook control of the country.
International skiers will return to the region’s Koh e Baba Mountain Range in February with adventure travel company Untamed Borders. Guests will take part in the nation’s only ski competition – the Afghan Peaks Ski, which brings together international tourists and the fledgling Afghan ski community.
For those who can’t join the trip, the ski club has launched an international membership scheme, so people can support the organisation from afar.
Although international visitor numbers are on the rise, many of Bamyan Province’s potential ski slopes remain undiscovered. Continued visits to the region and support from foreign tourists has the potential to make lasting change in the area, according to Untamed Borders’ founder, James Willcox.
Untamed Borders reported last year that there is a growing number of people seeking skiing tours in places such as Afghanistan and Iraq, among many other unconventional skiing destinations.
To become an international member of the Bamyan Alpine Ski Club, visit the Afghan Peaks website, or join Untamed Borders on the February Afghan Ski trip, which is bookable now.