Vital piste of the plan

On Feb 2, the resort recorded its highest single-day visitor count ever. Over the Chinese New Year holiday, Beidahu welcomed 98,100 visitors, marking a 20 percent increase year-on-year, with revenue reaching 55.2 million yuan ($7.6 million), up 23.8 percent from the previous year.

Recognized by the FIS as "China's Whistler", Beidahu was established in 1993 and has grown into the largest single ski area in Asia, featuring 74 ski trails, more than 350 professional coaches, and amenities catering to snowboarders of all levels. The resort boasts an area of 275 hectares and a total slope length of 80 km, with multiple lifts ensuring a capacity of up to 31,000 people per hour.

As well as hosting various prestigious events, including the 6th Asian Winter Games and numerous World Cup competitions, Beidahu also served as a training base for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics. The venue's ongoing development reflects a narrative of growth and innovation, encouraging greater participation in winter sports within the local community.

The continuous enhancement of both facilities and services has attracted numerous skiing enthusiasts, bolstering Beidahu's reputation as a premier winter sports destination.

With the goal of engaging 300 million Chinese people in ice and snow sports already surpassed, a growing number of international visitors are coming to experience winter sports in China.

"This is my third year skiing at Beidahu, and the snow quality here is excellent, with warm sunshine and calm winds, making it a truly enjoyable experience. Although it's far from my hometown, there's a sense of familiarity. The resort undergoes changes every year, which keeps things fresh and exciting for me," said Steve Balno, a skier from Canada.

As of Feb 6, Beidahu Ski Resort had welcomed 819,200 visitors during the 2024-25 snow season, a 45.3 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Tourists generated a total revenue of 413 million yuan ($56.95 million), marking a 45.7 percent growth year-on-year. "We are on track to achieve our goal of welcoming over one million visitors this ski season," said Yan Shuai, marketing director of Beidahu Ski Resort.

Looking ahead, Jilin province plans to further leverage its unique ice and snow resources to enhance event quality, transforming more competitions into globally celebrated, gold-standard experiences. This effort aims to attract high-level competitions to the province, promoting ice and snow sports as an engaging window into China. Additionally, initiatives will continue to encourage youth involvement in winter sports, sustaining public participation.

The development of Beidahu reflects Jilin province's broader progress in the ice and snow sector. "In recent years, Jilin has been actively promoting the high-quality development of its ice and snow industry, turning 'cold resources' into a 'hot effect,'" said Sun Guangzhi, director of the Jilin Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.

"We are working to build the 'Changbai Snow for All' brand, accelerating the comprehensive development of ice and snow sports, tourism, culture and equipment manufacturing. This approach aims to establish a full-industry, full-chain cold-region ice and snow ecosystem," Sun added.

Xinhua