Adventure Magazine

Afghan Peaks Ski Race - Afghan Peaks Charitable Trust
It hasn’t always been plain sailing when it comes to ski
tourism in Afghanistan. Some of the elders in a few of the
villages around the province were very suspicious about it
all at the start, particularly concerned that young local men
would injure themselves, potentially ruling themselves out of
vital farming work.
There was also concern that skiing may open the flood gates
to un-Islamic, western culture.
We’ve always aimed to tread carefully and be culturally
sensitive about our work in Afghanistan, working with Afghan
guides to ensure things run smoothly.
We always pay our respects to village leaders when we
arrive in an area, and try to give back to the community – by
donating money to go towards clearing roads of snow, for
equipment or offering other support in the region.
It’s always about toeing a fine line. On one trip, with a group
of professional snowboarders, we headed to some very
challenging terrain, which had never been skied before.
An Afghan village leader allowed us to pass after much
persuasion, but the project created a lot of suspicion, with
nigh on the whole village coming out to watch, standing on
rooftops to get a vantage point.
Soon later the team of professionals were launching off big
drops and the Afghan villagers were engrossed in the action.
We returned to the same area 3 days in a row and by the
end of the trip we were being invited in for tea and welcomed
warmly.
Key to our operations in Afghanistan, and elsewhere, is that
we give back positively to the countries we serve – leaving
a lasting good impression both guests and importantly, the
Afghan community too.
We’ve returned year after year, taking 100s of foreign ski
tourists to Afghanistan.
We’re under no illusions that skiing won’t solve Afghanistan’s
many problems, but in the communities we operate in, we
can make a small difference – providing opportunities for
Afghan villagers, supporting the areas’ businesses, helping
to improve ski infrastructure and providing a valuable cultural
exchange.”
It isn’t just hobby skiers who Untamed Borders guide in these
off-the-beaten track locations.
The company organised the first ever ski ascent and descent
of Halgurd, Iraq’s tallest mountain, back in 2017.The project
was turned into a film called Adventure Not War, produced by
the North Face.
The company also organised logistics for Afghanistan’s first
ever snowboard film, an Australian production called The
White Silk Road.
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