New Snow Season Accelerates Growth of China’s Ice-and-Snow Economy

China’s 2025–2026 snow season has begun with strong momentum, reinforcing the country’s rapidly expanding ice-and-snow economy and highlighting winter sports as a key driver of domestic tourism and consumer spending.

As temperatures drop across the country, ski resorts nationwide are opening earlier and operating at higher capacity, from northern China to southern subtropical regions. Former Winter Olympics host regions such as Chongli continue to show strong post-Olympic growth, supported by efficient transportation networks, upgraded resort facilities, and sustained infrastructure investment. Last season alone, Chongli welcomed over 5.2 million visitors, alongside a sharp year-on-year increase in skiing-related searches and bookings.

Northwest China is emerging as a major growth engine. Ski resorts in Xinjiang reported strong attendance from the start of the season, benefiting from high-altitude terrain, long vertical drops, and increasingly professional resort operations. Travel platforms show a notable rise in flight bookings to key ice-and-snow destinations including Harbin, Changbai Mountain, Urumqi, Altay, and Hulunbuir, reflecting strong nationwide demand.

Beyond traditional ski destinations, local governments are actively diversifying winter tourism offerings. Inner Mongolia has launched a season-long ice-and-snow carnival running through March 2026, featuring more than 150 cultural, tourism, and sporting activities. In Jilin province, new attractions, large-scale consumption vouchers, and integrated culture-tourism initiatives are improving accessibility and encouraging both first-time visitors and repeat travel.

Southern China is reshaping the industry landscape. The rapid expansion of indoor ski resorts and dry-slope facilities is transforming ice-and-snow sports from a seasonal activity into a year-round leisure option. Large-scale indoor ski complexes in Shenzhen and Changchun are attracting thousands of daily visitors, significantly lowering participation barriers and expanding the consumer base.

This nationwide expansion is delivering substantial economic impact. Industry forecasts indicate that China’s ice-and-snow sector is expected to surpass RMB 1 trillion in total output in 2025. During the 2024–2025 winter season, winter sports participation generated over RMB 187.5 billion in consumption, representing more than 25% year-on-year growth. Spending at ski resorts and surrounding commercial areas continues to provide strong spillover benefits to retail, transportation, and hospitality sectors.

With continued investment in infrastructure, instruction quality, and family-oriented travel products, China’s ice-and-snow economy is moving beyond short-term seasonal growth toward a more diversified, high-quality, and sustainable development model.

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New snow season gains momentum, fueling China's ice-and-snow economy