Demand Driven by Convenience and Climate

Tech entrepreneur Sean Wang, 37, exemplifies a growing trend in China: embracing winter sports regardless of the season. He recently began his snowboarding season early at Huafa Ice and Snow World, the world’s largest indoor ski resort, located in Shenzhen. This allows enthusiasts to enjoy snow activities despite the region’s typically warm climate.

The resort saw hundreds of skiers and snowboarders on its opening day, October 1, coinciding with the start of China’s Golden Week holidays, even as temperatures outside reached 33°C (91°F). This demonstrates a clear demand for accessible winter sports options.

Growth of Winter Sports in China

The opening of Huafa Ice and Snow World reflects the increasing investment in winter sports infrastructure in China. This growth is fueled by the country’s accomplished bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, which significantly boosted participation in skiing and snowboarding. The Chinese government has set enterprising goals to encourage widespread involvement in winter sports, aiming to have 300 million people participate by 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China.