Sports at the Roof of the World: Ski mountaineering coach Suo Lang inspires the next generation in Xizang

Growing up in a village at the foot of Mount Qomolangma, Suo Lang has spent his life surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Today, the 40-year-old is helping a new generation of athletes from southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region chase their dreams through ski mountaineering.

A professional coach for China's ski mountaineering program, Suo Lang entered the Xizang mountaineering school at the age of 17, a decision that changed the course of his life. After years dedicated to mountain sports, he began coaching the Xizang ski mountaineering team in 2020 and later contributed to the national team's preparations for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

Strict during training sessions but caring in daily life, Suo Lang has become a respected mentor for young athletes of different ethnic backgrounds. Drawing from his own experiences, he hopes to guide more teenagers from remote mountain regions toward broader opportunities through sports.

For Suo Lang, ski mountaineering is about far more than competition. He believes winter sports can help young people build confidence, expand their horizons and create new futures beyond their hometowns.

As China continues to develop winter sports programs across high-altitude regions, coaches like Suo Lang are playing a key role in discovering and nurturing talent from places deeply connected to mountains and snow.

Though years have passed since he first stepped into mountaineering school, Suo Lang's passion for the peaks remains unchanged. The mountains where he was born are still the place he calls home – and the lifelong pursuit he continues to dedicate himself to every day.