Gulmarg, March 13 -- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that artificial snow will be generated this year to ensure early skiing at Gulmarg.

Addressing the valedictory function of the fifth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) here in North Kashmir, the Chief Minister said, "Unfortunately, the weather conditions are changing. There was a time when the skiing courses in my childhood used to begin in December and continue till March. Now, the snowfall hardly occurs in December and January. However, the temperatures rise when the snowfall occurs in February. "

He said, "We will try to generate artificial snow from December through environment-friendly ways so that the slopes are prepared for skiing early amidst the min...