China is set to transform into a winter sports hub as it prepares to host eight international ice and snow events over three weeks from November 19 to December 8. Athletes and enthusiasts from around the globe will converge on various Chinese cities to participate in competitions that promise thrilling performances and showcase China’s growing prominence in winter sports.
The excitement kicks off with the second stop of the 2024-25 International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Cup in Yanqing on November 19. Yanqing, one of the three competition zones from the 2022 Winter Olympics alongside Beijing and Zhangjiakou, will once again welcome top-tier athletes. Chinese hopefuls Chen Wenhao and Zhao Dan recently demonstrated strong performances in the opening race in Pyeongchang, South Korea, both securing fifth-place finishes in their respective skeleton events.
From November 22 to 24, the spotlight moves to Chongqing Municipality in southwest China for the 2024 Cup of China, the sixth event of the 2024-25 International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating. Local fans eagerly anticipate seeing Jin Boyang, a leading figure in Chinese figure skating, take to the ice against a field of international competitors.
Beijing’s Shougang Park will host the 2024-25 Freeski Big Air World Cup on November 29, bringing aerial acrobatics to the heart of the capital. Concurrently, the National Speed Skating Oval, affectionately known as the “Ice Ribbon,” will welcome speed skaters for the ISU World Cup Speed Skating event, promising a day packed with high-speed thrills.
The action continues on November 30 in Chifeng, located in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with the opening of the 2024-25 International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) Snowboard Alpine World Cup. Athletes will compete in Parallel Slalom and Parallel Giant Slalom races, showcasing agility and precision on the slopes.
As December approaches, the Skiing Genting Resort Secret Garden in Zhangjiakou will be the venue for the 2024-25 Freeski Park & Pipe and Snowboard Park & Pipe events from December 5 to 8. These competitions are expected to draw some of the sport’s most dynamic athletes, performing gravity-defying tricks and stunts.
On December 6, the 2024-25 ISU Short Track World Tour arrives at Beijing’s Capital Indoor Stadium, bringing with it the intense, fast-paced action of short track speed skating. The series of events concludes on December 7 when the FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup returns to Yanqing, offering spectators one last chance to witness elite snowboarding competition in China this season.
These events not only highlight China’s capacity to host international sporting competitions but also reflect the country’s commitment to developing winter sports. For global audiences, business professionals, academics, the Asian diaspora, and cultural explorers, this lineup offers a rich tapestry of athletic excellence and cultural exchange. Travelers and sports enthusiasts alike may find this an opportune time to explore China’s winter landscapes and vibrant cities.
