Gupuks: In The Heart Of Ladakh, Frozen Pond Helps Reimagine Indus

In Ladakh, summers are flooded with tourists, however as temperatures begin to drop, most tourist-based establishments shut down, and the ꦑcold limits outdoor activities. And with most sports taking a backseat and schools also being shut down during the wiౠnter months, Gupuks becomes the playground for everyone.

One can find ice skate rentals in all sizes, food trucks, and a large expanse of frozen pond to test your skills. It attracts everyone, from young children to adults, eager tﷺo glide on ice.

Parents bring children as young as three to be introduced to the joy of skating or simply enjoy watching others. During th꧑is time, Gupuks truly becomes the heart of Ladakh.

Gupuks is where amateurs become professi💞onals. Different regional teams from Ladakh come here to practice for various tournaments and leagues, with the Indian Army also maintains a separate rink for their training.

Over the years, Gupuks has played a key role in shaping the Indian national ice hockey team, w𓆏ith 97%✨ of the men’s and 98% of the women’s players hailing from Ladakh.

For these athletes, it’s here where they developed their skills and made their way 🦄to the top, making Gupuks a vital part of t🧔heir success. During the winter months, it becomes the center of outdoor activity in Ladakh, where dreams are realized and players are made.

Set against the backdrop of Stok Kangri, Gupuks is a▨rguably the most scenic natural rink in the region.

The changing light on the🌺 surrou🦋nding mountains offers a beautiful view, making it a pleasant spot for players, photographers, and spectators alike. The rink is surrounded by marshland, which turns into lush greenery in the summer.

Located adjacent to the Indus River, this lower Indus belt, also in꧟cluding Phey and Spituk, is an🧸 excellent birdwatching area.

Padma Gyalpo, noted birder from Ladakh, mentioned that rare birds like the Ibisbill and Mongolian Finch can be spotted here year-round, while the Eurasian Hobby is a rare summer visitor, and the Streaked Rosefinch and Solitary Snip💛e are rare winter visitors. And for tourists, this is a known viewpoint given its scenic location.

Winter is often romanticised with images of sn๊owfall and cozy indoor moments,💟 but the reality is much harsher. Early mornings in freezing temperatures can lead to frostbite and numbness, making outdoor work extremely challenging

While the pond freezes naturally, transforming it into a standard rink of 200 meters long track is no small fe꧒at.

Hakim, the man in charge of the Gupuks rink from the Union Territory’s sports department, shares that they had just about 7–10 days to prepare the rink for the Khelo India Winter Games 2025.

Hakim says, “The water from the nearby Indus River is pumped to level the surface. Extensive civil work was required in the surrounding are𓆏a, including road maintenance, staging areas, and lighting, all being done simultaneously,” adding that “setting up live broadcast systems in an open environment was an extremely challenging task.”

Among the three venues for the Khelo India Winter Games—Gupuks, NDS Stadium, and LSRC Indi🔯an Army rink—Gupuks stands o🦋ut as an open natural pond. Like last year, it is hosting the long-track skating event.

The recent fresh snowfall,ꦬ plummeting the temperatures further, has resulted in excellent ice formation.

Natural open rinks like Gupuks are rare, and with climate change and unpredictable weather patterns, these experiences have become even more prec🐬ious. Ice skating and hockey are among the most visually captivating sports, and witnessing them in such a stunning setting is truly unforgettable.

The fresh snowfall has made the surrounding mountains more sꦯpectacular than ever, creating the🅺 perfect backdrop for the 2025 event.

Gupuks is hos🌺ting a remarkable spectacle, seamlessly blending the 🐼beauty of sport with the splendour of nature.

Don’t miss this i🔴ncred🌠ible celebration of winter sports in Ladakh.