Utsav Pathak is a Nepalese skier, snow sports promoter and organizational leader, best known as the president and founder of Ski and Snowboarding Foundation Nepal (NFSS), a non profit organization focused on the development of skiing and snowboarding in Nepal.[1][2] His work is associated with the early institutional growth of snow sports and ski tourism in the country.[3][4][5]
In 2016, at about 20 years old, Pathak tried skiing for the first time — a sport he had only known through media. That experience helped solidify his conviction that skiing could become more than a novelty in his home country.[1]
Activities and achievements
The first ski and snowboard course by NFSS took place in 2016 near Rolwaling (Naa valley), Dolakha. International instructors arrived with donated equipment — marking a milestone for winter sports training in Nepal.[6][1]
NFSS has expanded ski and snowboard training and events across various Himalayan regions including Humla, Manang, Solu-Khumbu, and Kalinchowk.[7][8]
In 2019, NFSS installed what was reported as the first ski lift in Nepal — a 60-metre rope tow at Kuri, Kalinchowk — aiming to develop a local ski park and promote winter tourism.[9]
Ski mountaineering in mera peakIn 2022, NFSS was nominated for the UIAA Mountain Protection Award (MPA), recognizing its work in sustainable mountain tourism and promoting skiing among Nepalese youth.[10]
According to recent reports, over a thousand Nepalis have undergone training via NFSS, and a portion are continuing skiing long-term or working as ski guides.[1]
The organization has also planned more ambitious ski-mountaineering expeditions (for example on peaks like Mera Peak), aiming to combine mountaineering and skiing — which could open opportunities for international ski-mountaineering participation.[11]
Vision and impacts
Pathak and NFSS view skiing not just as a sport, but as a means to: diversify Nepal’s tourism beyond trekking and peak-climbing; revive winter tourism seasons; create livelihood opportunities in remote Himalayan communities; and promote environmental awareness — by training guides in skiing and avalanche safety, and by encouraging sustainable mountain tourism.[10]
While skiing remains a niche activity in Nepal compared to trekking and mountaineering, the efforts of Pathak and NFSS have played a pioneering role in building snow-sport culture, infrastructure, and local capacity — potentially laying the foundations for future growth of skiing and ski-mountaineering in Nepal.
