Embracing the chill: How China becomes a thriving hub for winter sports

It was a tempting promise put forth by the organizers to support Beijing's bid for the Winter Olympics: the notion that hosting the Games would ignite a newfound enthusiasm and involvement in cold-weather activities among millions of individuals in China. And this narrative did not simply fade away once the Games reached its grand finale in 2022. 

Despite the persistent factors that inescapably discourage people from embracing physical pursuits, the nation, still swathed in a warm cloak of pride for its accomplished athletes, now holds an even stronger ardor for winter sports as an enduring legacy of the Games. 

A plethora of international competitions has graced Beijing's grand stage since November, captivating the hearts of the locals and making for the hottest tickets in town. For the true connoisseur of winter sports, the options are endless. 

One could bask in the exhilarating atmosphere of the 2023-2024 ISU World Cup Speed Skating at the magnificent National Speed Skating Oval, or partake in the adrenaline-pumping excitement of the bobsleigh and skeleton World Cup at the esteemed National Sliding Center. 

And if that were not enough to satiate one's sporting appetite, one could venture to the vibrant Shougang Park and witness the awe-inspiring return of big air action with the FIS Snowboard and Freeski Big Air World Cup. While the memories of the inspirational feats during the Olympics still dance vividly in the national consciousness, one can now relive the electrifying experience in those iconic venues once more. 

And there is still so much more in store. "We are preparing to hold a series of high-level international tournaments in various other winter sports in the near future," said Chen Jie, deputy director of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports, in a statement. 

"This is a testament to the visionary approach of harnessing the legacy of the Winter Olympics and utilizing it as a catalyst to promote consumption and propel the capital's economy towards high-quality development." 

The unyielding passion for winter sports also continues to burn in Harbin. This captivating city, nestled in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang, aptly earns its moniker as the "Ice City" due to its frigid temperatures. And now, the news that Harbin has successfully secured the honor of hosting the 2025 Asian Winter Games only serves to intensify the fervor for winter sports in the region.

The latest data released by the government of Heilongjiang Province reveals astounding figures. In November alone, a staggering 27.57 million domestic and international trips have graced the province, marking an astonishing 275.7 percent increase compared to the previous year. 

Furthermore, the tourism revenue reached 39.21 billion yuan, showing a growth rate of 767.5 percent. It comes as no surprise, then, that Harbin has emerged as the most sought-after winter tourism destination in the country this year.

A report released by Ctrip, a leading travel service provider, further reinforces the growing enthusiasm for winter sports. Since December 2023, there has been an 86 percent year-on-year increase in ticket bookings for ski resorts across the nation during the New Year holiday period. Notably, when customers from North China and Northeast China were selecting nearby attractions, an average of one person out of every five chose a ski resort.

The boom in winter sports has not been limited to those usual suspects in the country, as even the southern provinces, where snow and ice are a rarity, have embraced the allure of winter sports. This invigorating phenomenon can be attributed to the presence of state-of-the-art facilities such as portable artificial ice rinks and versatile ski simulators.

Reports from local media highlight the soaring popularity of indoor ski resorts in Wuhan during the summer season. In the months of June and July, these resorts welcomed an impressive number of visitors, exceeding tens of thousands. It is testimony to the growing interest and enthusiasm for winter sports in regions that traditionally do not experience such icy wonders.

Furthermore, cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen have seen a surge in demand for winter sports experiences. The ice rinks in numerous large shopping malls have been operating at near-full capacity during the two summer holiday periods since the conclusion of the Beijing Winter Olympics. It is evident that the appetite for winter sports knows no bounds, as people from all walks of life eagerly seek out these intoxicating activities.

As the vitality of the masses continues to soar, a mutually beneficial relationship has blossomed between China's ice and snow sports and its tourism industry. The latest report from the China Tourism Academy paints a promising picture. It predicts that during the 2024-2025 snow season, the number of leisure trips for ice and snow activities in the country is expected to reach a staggering 520 million, with revenue from ice and snow leisure tourism reaching an extraordinary 720 billion yuan.

This positive trend not only promises incredible experiences for ice and snow aficionados but also holds great economic potential. As more people engage in winter sports, there will be an increasing demand for related facilities and services, which will, in turn, drive economic growth and create employment opportunities.

The harmonious coexistence of China's winter sports industry with its economic sector lays a solid foundation for a future filled with prosperity. As each season unfolds, the industry is poised to flourish, gripping the hearts of enthusiasts and leaving an indelible mark on the nation's vibrant economic landscape.