As winter transitions to spring in 2026, China’s Altay region has redefined cold-weather tourism with its innovative Water Skiing Festival at Jiangjun Mountain Ski Resort. The event, held during the final days of the 2025-2026 snow season, saw skiers carve through snow before launching across a 35-meter water slide – a daring fusion of winter sports and aquatic adrenaline that’s drawing global attention.
This year’s festival introduced a beginner-friendly track with gentle slopes, expanding accessibility while maintaining safety standards. The creative approach to seasonal tourism has become a local tradition, effectively extending Altay’s winter sports calendar and maximizing regional ice and snow resources.
The results speak volumes: By season’s end, the resort recorded 1.3 million visitors – a 46% year-on-year increase – with skier numbers jumping 66% to 870,000. This growth underscores Altay’s emerging status as a year-round destination, blending natural assets with inventive programming to drive economic revitalization.
