By 
Leh (Ladakh), January 23:
Some journeys begin with curiosity and turn into lifelong commitments. For American figure skating coach Natalie Falsgraf, Ladakh has become exactly that—a place she now calls her second home, bound not by nationality, but by passion and purpose.
Natalie first visited Ladakh in 2018, intrigued by stories of natural ice rinks, frozen ponds, and a vibrant ice sports culture thriving in one of the coldest inhabited regions of the world. What she discovered went far beyond landscapes. She found a community deeply passionate about skating, learning, and growth—something that has brought her back to the Union Territory year after year.
From the US to the Himalayas
A senior-level figure skater in the United States, Natalie has spent most of her life on the ice. When she learned that figure skating and ice hockey were being practiced on natural ice in Ladakh, she knew she had to see it for herself.
“I wanted to skate on natural ice and see this community that was built around ice skating,” she shared with SAI Media. “When I came here, I fell in love with the place, the people, and the skating culture.”
Today, Natalie is a key member of the Ladakh Women Ice Hockey Foundation and works closely with young skaters across the region. What truly sets her apart is that she does all of this purely out of love—without any financial incentive. Teaching children figure skating, she says, is simply her “love language”.
Figure Skating Debuts at Khelo India Winter Games
Natalie’s presence in Ladakh has gained special significance this year with figure skating making its historic debut at the Khelo India Winter Games 2026, currently underway in Leh. The inclusion of figure skating under the Khelo India banner marks a major milestone for the sport in India.
Calling it a “great opportunity,” Natalie believes the move will help raise awareness and provide young skaters with a clear pathway for growth.
“We don’t see as many kids choosing figure skating over cricket or football,” she noted. “But now, they can actually see a future in this sport.”
Understanding the Art and Athleticism
For first-time viewers, Natalie breaks down figure skating into two categories featured at the Games—novice and advanced.
At the novice level, skaters perform basic spins and single or double jumps. Advanced skaters, however, showcase complex footwork, intricate spin variations, and even double and triple jumps, similar to what is seen at international competitions.
Her coaching has already borne fruit. Two of her trainees, Stanzin Khando and Tenzin Kunzin from the Zanskar region, finished among the medalists in the novice category at the Games—an achievement that underlines Ladakh’s growing potential in the sport.
Role Models and Rising Infrastructure
When asked about India’s current figure skating talent, Natalie singled out Tara Prasad, who is representing the country at the Four Continents Championship in Beijing. According to Natalie, athletes like her serve as powerful role models for young skaters dreaming of competing on the global stage.
Natalie is equally optimistic about infrastructure development. The artificial ice rink at Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Stadium—only the second of its kind in India after Dehradun—has been a game changer. With more indoor rinks planned across the country, including in Delhi and Leh, year-round training is finally becoming possible.
“Artificial ice is essential if Indian skaters are to train like their international competitors,” she said. “It’s a huge step toward building a strong figure skating community in India and making a mark within Asia and the world.”
Giving Back, One Skater at a Time
Natalie Falsgraf’s story is not just about sport—it’s about connection, commitment, and giving back. In the frozen ponds of Ladakh’s smallest villages, where children lace up skates with big dreams in their eyes, her impact is already visible.
What began as a curious visit in 2018 has transformed into a heartfelt mission—proving that sometimes, the strongest bonds are formed not by where you’re from, but by what you choose to give.
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