Alpine Ski Cup Pakistan
In this picture taken on January 30, 2019, Pakistani children ski on a snow-covered street -- with wooden sticks set up to practice the slalom -- next to their homes near the slopes where the CAS Karakoram International Alpine Ski Cup was taking place at the Pakistan Air Force-owned and operated Naltar Ski Resort, some 25km north of Gilgit in Pakistan's remote mountainous north. Image Credit: AAMIR QURESHI/AFP

Skiers descend in long, rhythmic swoops down pristine white slopes in northern Pakistan, braking in a spray of snow as soldiers carrying semi-automatic weapons watch impassively.

Dozens of athletes took part at a rare international competition in the South Asian country, which boasts some of the world's highest mountains but remains off-piste for most winter sports enthusiasts after years of conflict and a lack of infrastructure.

Nestled in the Karakoram mountain range, the Naltar Ski Resort has been at the heart of Pakistan's efforts to draw winter sport tourists since the first international competition was held there in 2015.

Alpine Ski Cup Pakistan
Pictures from the CAS Karakoram International Alpine Ski Cup that was taking place at the Pakistan Air Force-owned and operated Naltar Ski Resort, some 25km north of Gilgit in Pakistan's remote mountainous north Image Credit: AFP

"Pakistan has a lot of things to learn but with every year it's getting better," said Ukrainian skier Anastasiia Gorbunova, who admitted she used to think it was a "pretty dangerous country".

"Now I know it's a cliche because as I saw, people are sweet, they are nice, they try to make you feel like you're at home and I appreciate that."

Alpine Ski Cup Pakistan
Ukrainian skier Anastasia Gorbunova takes part in the CAS Karakoram International Alpine Ski Cup, at the Pakistan Air Force-owned and operated Naltar Ski Resort Image Credit: AFP

Security has dramatically improved across Pakistan following a crackdown on militant groups in recent years.

Authorities recently re-opened another resort in the nearby Swat Valley that had been closed for years by insurgent activity, while other ski facilities are being developed elsewhere in the country.

Laura Moore, a representative of the International Ski Federation with the Azerbaijan team, said Pakistan boasted unrivalled ski conditions.

Alpine Ski Cup Pakistan
Pakistani children ski on a snow-covered street -- with wooden sticks set up to practice the slalom -- next to their homes near the slopes Image Credit: AFP

But she added that lengthy road travel and the regular grounding of flights during inclement weather made access to ski fields a tricky prospect - "off-piste and maybe with a helicopter".

"I think it's definitely more for the adventurer," Moore said at Sunday's competition.

Pakistan is home to several peaks higher than 8,000 metres including K2, the second-tallest mountain in the world.

CAS Karakoram International Alpine Ski Cup
Turkish skier Berkin Usta takes part in the CAS Karakoram International Alpine Ski Cup, at the Pakistan Air Force-owned and operated Naltar Ski Resort Image Credit: AAMIR QURESHI/AFP

Skiers at the Naltar event were hosted by the Pakistan Air Force, who own the ski resort and facilitated their transport from the capital Islamabad.

"Not all countries have mountains like this," Berkin Usta, a Turkish skier who won the men's Grand Slalom event. "It's really good."