Aanchal Thakur is an Indian alpine skier from Himachal Pradesh, best known for winning India's first international medal in skiing. Competing primarily in slalom events, she has represented India in international Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS) competitions and has been a leading figure in the development of competitive alpine skiing in the country.
| Full name | Aanchal Thakur |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| State | Himachal Pradesh |
| Sport | Alpine skiing |
| Discipline | Slalom |
| Notable achievement | India's first international medal in skiing |
Aanchal Thakur belongs to Manali in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, a region known for its winter sports infrastructure and proximity to the alpine slopes of the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges. She comes from a family closely associated with skiing in India; her father, Roshan Thakur, has been an office-bearer of the Winter Games Federation of India, and her brother Himanshu Thakur is also an alpine skier who represented India at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Thakur trained on the Solang slopes near Manali and progressed to international FIS-sanctioned circuits. She has competed in slalom and giant slalom events across Europe and Asia.
In January 2018, Thakur won a bronze medal in the slalom event at the Alpine Ejder 3200 Cup held at Erzurum, Turkey, an FIS-recognised competition. The medal was widely reported as the first international medal won by an Indian in a skiing event, and was formally recognised by the Government of India.
She continued to participate in FIS races in the years that followed, competing on circuits in Montenegro and other European venues. In 2021, she won another international medal at an FIS event in Montenegro, further consolidating her position as one of India's foremost alpine skiers.
Thakur's bronze medal in 2018 marked a milestone for Indian winter sports, a domain in which the country has had limited international success. Her achievement drew attention to the need for systematic investment in winter sports infrastructure, training, and athlete support in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand. She has been cited as an inspiration for younger skiers training at Indian centres such as Solang, Auli, and Gulmarg.