As the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics unfolds, Chinese manufacturers are capitalizing on surging global demand for winter sports equipment, with production lines across Shandong and Zhejiang provinces operating at full capacity to meet overseas orders. From alpine ski poles to insulated gloves, China's industrial clusters are delivering both scale and innovation to international markets.
In Jiaxiang County, Shandong, factories producing ski gloves have defied seasonal norms by maintaining operations through the Lunar New Year period. The region now supplies 80% of China's exported ski gloves – approximately 64 million pairs annually – to over 60 countries and regions. Local manufacturers have developed rapid-response systems to create market-specific designs, from reinforced palm grips for Scandinavian markets to lightweight models favored in Mediterranean climates.
Ninghai County's ski pole production exemplifies China's vertical integration advantages. With 70% of exported Chinese ski poles originating from this Zhejiang hub, manufacturers have reduced product sampling cycles to under a week while maintaining strict quality controls. A recent batch undergoing pressure tests in Ninghai demonstrated 15% greater durability than international standards require, according to factory technicians.
Customs data reveals notable growth patterns: ice skate exports to Central and Eastern Europe increased 18% year-on-year in Q4 2025, while North American orders for technical ski apparel rose 22%. She Weizhen, chief economist at the China Machinery Industry Federation, attributes this success to adaptive manufacturing systems: "Our production models now mirror the agility of Shenzhen's electronics sector, enabling efficient handling of specialized orders while maintaining competitive pricing."
With the Winter Olympics spotlight accelerating industry upgrades, Chinese manufacturers are positioning themselves as long-term players in the $80 billion global winter sports market. As European retailers restock shelves for the 2026-27 season, industry analysts predict sustained growth in high-margin technical gear exports, particularly for emerging markets in Central Asia and South America.
