The North News
Shimla, March 13
A new adventure sports initiative aimed at promoting environmental conservation and animal welfare in the Himalayas has been launched in India, with events planned in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul & Spiti and Jammu and Kashmir’s Gulmarg.
The Snow Marathon League (SMLg), launched by the team behind the world’s highest and Asia’s only snow marathon in Lahaul, will combine endurance sport with awareness campaigns focused on fragile mountain ecosystems, waste management and animal care.
Its organisers say the league is designed to bring together mountain communities, runners and environmental advocates while encouraging responsible engagement with the Himalayan region.
The first major event under the initiative, SnowTails Fest, will be held in Lahaul from 20 to 22 March 2026.
It is being billed as the world’s highest snow dog race and will feature dogs running alongside their owners.
Founder Gaurav Schimer told The North News that the event would include a Walkathon, a Snow Ultra Run, Snow Tails — a special run for dogs and their owners — and Lahauli cultural festivities.
The event is being organised in association with the District Administration of Lahaul & Spiti and the Indian Army.
Mr Schimer said the initiative aimed not only to promote adventure sports but also to draw attention to Himalayan conservation and support Manali Strays, an animal welfare organisation that works with distressed and abandoned dogs in the Manali region.
The league will also introduce what organisers describe as the world’s highest Snow Ultra, along with a Snow Walkathon, intended to widen participation beyond experienced high-altitude runners.
Race director Col Saurav Schimer said the walkathon would allow people who may not be ready for the demands of a high-altitude marathon to still take part and support causes linked to the environment and animal welfare.
Looking ahead, organisers also announced the inaugural Snow Marathon Kashmir, scheduled to be held in Gulmarg on 14 February 2027.
Col J S Dhillon, principal chief of the event, said the Indian Institute of Skiing & Mountaineering (IISM), Gulmarg, would act as technical partner and help welcome runners and adventure enthusiasts from around the world.
Event chief Col Arun Natarajan said efforts were under way to institutionalise the league in India with support from the armed and paramilitary forces, which he said had a strong tradition of endurance sports and adventure activities.
Medical support will continue to be provided by Fortis Hospital Mohali, a long-term partner of the Snow Marathon in Lahaul.
Abhijit Singh, director of the hospital, said high-altitude physical sports required significant preparation and training, underlining the importance of medical readiness for such endurance events.
Animal welfare campaigners also welcomed the initiative.
Dr Becky Metcalf, co-founder of Manali Strays, invited pet owners to take part in SnowTails Fest and said the event would help support work on animal birth control, rabies eradication and building a more animal-friendly ecosystem in the Himalayas.
Heritage conservationist Lama Stanzin Gurmat, who attended the launch, said he believed the Snow Marathon League could help promote harmony between people, nature and animals in the region.
