Rattu 2023: Snow, Speed and History in the Making
The FIS Cross Country Ski Races at Rattu — located in the Astore district of Gilgit-Baltistan — marked a major milestone for winter sports in Pakistan. The event, registered by the International Ski Federation (FIS), took place in February 2023 at the slopes of Rattu, under the organization of the Winter Sports Federation Pakistan (WSFP).
Rattu — a village high in the mountains at roughly 2,650 meters above sea level — has long been recognized for its snow‑covered winters and alpine terrain. This makes it ideal for cross-country skiing. The natural environment, combined with the snow‑season, provides a rare stage in South Asia for world-class skiing events.
The 2023 FIS races at Rattu were more than a competition — they were a statement: that Pakistan’s high‑altitude valleys can stand shoulder to shoulder with global winter‑sports destinations.
If the momentum continues — with consistent events, improved infrastructure, and growing local and international interest — Rattu and places like it might soon become regular stops on the winter‑sports world map. For Pakistan, that could mean more athletes breaking ground, more tourists discovering snowy adventures, and a new winter legacy carving its place in the mountains.
