NE China's ski resort attracts tourists, boosts local employment

A ski resort in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province has attracted an increasing number of winter sport fans from across the country with its favorable conditions, offering local villagers with jobs.

Situated near the 45th parallel north, a golden circle of latitude for skiing, Yabuli Town in Heilongjiang Province boasts four ski areas and 56 pistes, providing ample space for 18,000 skiers. 

Since the skiing facilities in Yabuli opened for the season on November 9, there has been a significant growth in skiers of all ages and skill levels, enjoying the resort town.

Wang Dawei, 32, was brought up in Yabuli. Ten years ago, he passed a national examination to be qualified as a professional ski coach. Previously, he traveled to metropolises like Beijing and Shanghai in winter to work as a ski coach and spent the rest of the year at home farming and growing edible tree fungus.

"I used to leave home every year to earn money. But now there are more snow areas in my hometown, which draws more visitors as well," Wang said. "Now the ski industry and tourism are growing faster, and there are more and more visitors. Now I can earn lots of money as well."

It is reported that by Sunday, the resort's four ski areas have cumulatively received 250,000 visitors. The maximum number of visitors received in a single day reached 11,000. To meet the rising demand during the snowy season, the town has also updated its sports facilities such as ski areas and pistes and rolled out new tourist projects related to skiing.

"The ski resort has various pistes, which makes it worth extensive exploration," said Yin Chenggang, a tourist from central China's Hubei Province. "It also has natural pistes, which are in forests, and they are all opened to the public."

According to the staff of the ski resort, those with no previous experience could choose pistes for beginners and experience the charm of the sport under the guidance of a professional coach.