Ski down the Bird's Nest

A recent heavy snowfall has aroused intense controversy among the public. It is no general snow of course, but a manmade one, right inside the world-famous Bird's Nest.

It's been a flowery stage witnessing the love story of Turandot, and an asphalt track for the Race of Champion, but this Saturday the stadium is set to transform itself into a skiing park. However, some experts argue that this will lead to serious air pollution and a waste of water and electricity.

According to a local newspaper, making the snow-and topping it up-is going to drink up 30,000 tons of water, approximately the amount 333 Beijing people use per year.

But spokesman Xiang Jun of the National Stadium sought to assure the public on this point, saying all the water used in snowmaking this time is reclaimed water, and it will be recycled again when the skiing park shuts down next February.

"There are drain ditches all around the National Stadium. Water will flow into them after the snow melts. We've got a sewerage system underground and the water will be reclaimed again after filtration. It's going to be used in the irrigation of gardens nearby and so forth," explained Xiang Jun, spokesman of the National Stadium.

Then what about electricity and the one kilo of carbon dioxide produced by every kilowatt hour?

Although the 8 snowmakers imported from the United States are already efficient and energy saving, they are not regular household appliances, after all.

But if we simply keep the Bird's Nest as static as possible in order to save power, wouldn't that be a waste as well?

The utilization of Olympic venues is a significant issue to tackle after the Games. "If the Bird's Nest serves only as a sightseeing spot, there will be fewer visitors in winter because it's very cold. But the expenses on electricity, water and labour won't be any less," said Xiang Jun.

Given this fact, the idea of a skiing park may not be a bad idea. And the snowmaking process is completely a physical one, not involving any chemicals.

So this winter you don't have to go to the hills or the suburbs; there's ski-ing to be had right here in downtown Beijing. And at the weekend, feast your eyes on a special snow view as night falls upon this latest incarnation of the Bird's Nest.

Script: Christie Lee

Video: Christie Lee & Huang Lan