ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Region is hosting Iraq’s fifth snow festival atop Korek Mountain, northeast of Erbil, in a bid to attract more winter tourists from neighboring countries and across Iraq.
A total of 58 professional skiers, both domestic and international, take part in the festival’s competitions and activities.
“We thought it would be a great opportunity to take advantage of the snow and introduce more sports activities so that international and local skiers can enjoy it,” festival organizer Hussein Ali told Rudaw.
Thousands of visitors have attended the event, traveling from across the Kurdistan Region, Iraq’s central and southern provinces, and even parts of Europe to take part in the winter celebrations.
“This is not just a regular festival. The history of adventurous winter sports in this region dates back half a century. The passion for this sport grows year after year,” said Halgur Sheikh Najeeb, head of the Soran Independent Administration.
The festival also offered local youth the chance to experience modern skiing techniques alongside traditional sledding, blending contemporary sport with long-standing winter traditions.
The first snow festival was held in 1951 in Haji Omeran, near Korek Mountain. Although the event has not been held annually, organizers say they hope to establish it as a regular fixture on the Region's winter calendar.
Rozh Kamaran, a member of the Choman skiing team, praised the level of competition.
“Our performance has been strong, especially that of the Choman ski team. We have talented athletes who are capable of competing at an international level, even though international athletes benefit from better facilities and more advanced venues,” Kamaran said.
The Kurdish mountains remain a popular tourist destination throughout winter, spring, and summer, attracting visitors from across the Kurdistan Region, the rest of Iraq, and neighboring countries.
“I came from Baghdad to relax and spend quality time here,” said one attendee. “I love the weather and the atmosphere of this festival. My friend came from Lebanon, and another from Basra - we came together to enjoy it.”
The festival is set to run for two days.
The Kurdistan Region has long sought to expand investment in winter tourism, particularly in its high-altitude mountainous areas, which offer spectacular snowy landscapes during the colder months.
Andam Jabbar from Soran contributed to this article.
