Malam Jabba (Ski Resort)

style="text-align: center;"> Malam Jabba (Ski Resort)

Malam Jabba is a ski resort situated in the Hindu Kush range of the Swat Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan at a top elevation of 2,804 metres (9,199 ft). The resort is located in Malam Jabba village, 40 kilometers east of Saidu Sharif and 314 kilometers northwest of Islamabad. It is the largest and oldest ski resort in Pakistan.

There are breathtaking mountains, picturesque valleys, green lush forests, and other natural attractions in Malam Jaba. Apart from natural beauty, Malam Jabba is home to the longest ski resort in Pakistan. This place is also the core of winter sports festivals in Pakistan. The unique holiday hill station is also very famous for trekking, hiking, backpacking, camping, as well as family holidays

History

The Wali of Swat, who at the time was the historic ruler of Swat, would move his court to Malam Jabba annually during the summer months. In the summer of 1962, the visiting Austrian ambassador to Pakistan and good friend of the Wali suggested that a ski resort be built in Malam Jabba. The Austrian government funded the chairlift and provided skis and boots, while the Pakistani government built a hotel with 50 rooms. Construction of the entire resort finished in 1988, but the resort sat idle for another 10 years because of disputes over whether it should be run by the government or the private sector. In 1999, the government won rights to run the resort.By 2006, over 20,000 people in Swat were employed indirectly by tourism to the region

Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa leased Malam Jabba to the Samson Group of Companies for reconstruction of the ski resort and hotel, in a bid to boost tourism in the area again. That same year the Swat Snow Festival was arranged to showcase rebuilding activities at Malam Jabba. The Norwegian embassy in Islamabad initiated the collection of skis, and Pakistani Norwegian businessman and politician Aamir Sheikh helped to collect skis, boots and gloves. Pakistan's Olympic skier Muhammad Karim, who participated in the recent Sochi Olympics, competed in the giant slalom and downhill during the event.Every few weeks they also arrange some type of activity or festival, like snowboarding competitions or survival camps. This attracts many locals as well as foreigners who take interest.۔ ۔