Chongqing- Winter tourism has become a new hot ticket item for Chongqing citizens, often associated with recreational travel to rural areas and outdoor snow-based sporting activities.

Gu Ailing celebrates on the podium after taking gold in women's free ski big air at Big Air Shougang in Beijing, capital of China, Feb 8, 2022. (Xinhua photo)

"The era of winter sports can be divided into the era before and after the Beijing Winter Olympics," said Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). "Over 300 million people are engaged in winter sports, which has opened a new era for winter sports."

Love for snow and ice 

Although Chongqing has geographically lacking in snow and ice resources, one can never underestimate the enthusiasm of Chongqing citizens for snow.

According to statistics, orders for snow sports-related goods increased by over 30% compared to last year during the Spring Festival.

Wulong Karst Tourism Zone has welcomed 129,000 visitors, where 112,000 visitors have climbed the Jinfo Mountain in Nanchuan District, and 80,000 visitors have admired the beauty of Nantian Lake in Fengdu County. Both places are some of the few areas in Chongqing to see snow.

Nantian Lake in Fengdu County, Chongqing. (iChongqing file photo)

As the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics ramps up, Chongqing's snow scenic spots have made great progress by innovative design and the support of a complete sports-leisure-holiday industry chain. Meanwhile, Those scenic spots have held new cultural activities to attract visitors and provide safety and environmental protection, contributing to the prosperity of snow tourism in Chongqing.

Yu Fujiao, who has been a coach for four years, currently works at Chongqing Aoyue Ice Treasure Skating Club. He told Shangyou News reporter that teenagers have shown increasing interest in winter sports. As a coach, he combines sports techniques with knowledge of the Winter Olympics during his teaching process.

A child is dancing on the ice in an indoor skating rink in Jiulongpo District, Chongqing. (iChongqing file photo)

Shangyou News interviewed a senior student, Liu Te, who skated on the ice rink in Chongqing Jinkai Aegean Shopping Park.

"I often fell when I started learning, and it hurts a lot, but I do enjoy the thrill of 'spinning' on the ice. It feels free," said Liu.

300 million people in winter sports

In the process of bidding on the Winter Olympics, China has made a solemn commitment: driving 300 million people to participate in winter sports.

One of the leading global real estate advisers, Savills, published the "Scaling the Summit" report lately.

"The advocate for 300 million Chinese people to enjoy the winter sports will bring a broad vision for the sports and ski resort industry," said James MacDonald, head of Savills Research China. "This may set to be a consumption highlight in the future."

Since Beijing had successfully bid for the Winter Olympics in 2015, activities like the 8th National Public Ice and Snow Season have promoted snow sport walks into schools and communities.

A new winter experience, training, and tourism industry has emerged across the country. It has brought snow sports into people's daily fitness exercises.

As of now, China has 654 standard ice rinks and 803 ski resorts in total, with an increase of 317% and 41% over 2015, according to statistics, which has laid a solid foundation for the popularization of snow sports.

China boasted 654 standard ice rinks, a surge of 317 percent on the number in 2015, and the number of ski resorts has risen from 568 in 2015 to 803 now. (iChongqing/Zheng Ran)

More and more young consumers have shown a preference for niche sports such as skiing, surfing, diving, and skateboarding, and this trend will also drive more sport-related brands to open new stores in China.

(Cao Kezhi, as an intern, also contributed to this report.)