As temperatures drop across northern China, ski resorts have officially opened their slopes for the 2025-2026 winter season, marking a renewed push to develop winter sports tourism following the nation's successful 2022 Winter Olympics legacy. Major destinations in Hebei and Jilin provinces welcomed early-season enthusiasts this week with upgraded facilities and cultural programming.
This season introduces enhanced snowmaking systems and expanded beginner zones at resorts like Chongli's Genting Snow Park, while Jilin's Changbai Mountain resort now features night skiing illuminated by LED installations. Tourism authorities report a 15% increase in pre-booked hotel packages compared to last November, signaling strong domestic and international interest.
"The integration of winter sports with traditional cultural experiences remains our focus," stated Zhang Wei, a Beijing-based tourism official. "Visitors can now combine skiing with hot spring visits, ice fishing festivals, and regional cuisine tours – creating comprehensive winter itineraries."
With China's ski industry projected to generate $12 billion this winter season, analysts note growing investment in snow sports infrastructure across three northeastern provinces. The developments align with national initiatives to engage 300 million citizens in winter sports by 2030.
