China’s ice and snow economy continues to gain momentum, with winter sports participation and related industries expanding rapidly across the country. The 2026 National Ice and Snow Consumption Season, launched in January in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, marked another major step in promoting winter sports consumption under the national “Shopping in China” initiative.
Organized by the Ministry of Commerce, the program aims to boost economic growth by creating innovative “ice and snow +” consumption scenarios. The initiative focuses on introducing high-quality winter sports products and services, enhancing tourism experiences, and building an international consumption environment centered around winter sports.
According to the China Ice and Snow Industry Development Research Report (2025), published by World Winter Sports (Beijing) Expo, China’s ice and snow industry has experienced dramatic expansion in recent years. The total industry value has grown from 270 billion yuan in 2015 to 980 billion yuan in 2024, and is expected to surpass 1 trillion yuan by the end of 2025.
This growth has been strongly influenced by the legacy of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, which significantly boosted nationwide participation in winter sports and accelerated investment in related infrastructure and industries.
Today, China has established a comprehensive industrial ecosystem covering 15 major categories of ice and snow equipment, ranging from personal sports gear to large-scale venue technology. Products include ski apparel, helmets and goggles, as well as advanced equipment such as ski lifts, snowmaking systems, and even intelligent ice-sculpture robots.
Industry experts note that China’s strong manufacturing capabilities are helping accelerate innovation in winter sports equipment. As demand grows, domestic manufacturers are increasingly integrating smart manufacturing, robotics, and artificial intelligence into equipment development.
These technologies are also enhancing other aspects of the industry, including training systems, digital services, and interactive sports experiences. Experts believe such innovations could give China a “latecomer advantage,” allowing the industry to rapidly catch up with — and potentially surpass — more established winter sports markets.
Consumer participation has also surged. During the 2024–2025 winter season, ice and snow sports generated over 187.5 billion yuan in consumption, representing a 25 percent increase year-on-year.
Data from Huabei, a major digital platform serving more than 10 million registered skiers, shows that the skiing community in China is becoming increasingly diverse. Around 41 percent of participants are male, while 68 percent prefer snowboarding. Approximately 25 percent of skiers visit resorts once per season, while 12 percent travel more than ten times per year, indicating a growing demand for specialized equipment and experiences.
This rising interest has also created new opportunities for domestic brands. GSPO Sports, a Beijing-based company founded in 2017, has seen strong growth in the snowboard equipment segment, which has become particularly popular among younger consumers since the Winter Olympics.
The company’s brand Yepro has recorded annual sales growth of around 20 percent in the domestic market. Its focus on snowboard bindings and accessories, combined with continuous technological innovation, has helped the brand gain traction among winter sports enthusiasts.
Competitive pricing is also strengthening the position of Chinese brands. Domestic products are often priced 20 to 50 percent lower than international competitors, giving local companies an advantage as the market expands.
Harbin, often referred to as China’s “Ice City,” has emerged as a major hub in the ice and snow economy. By November 2025, the city had more than 2,300 enterprises involved in the sector, including over 1,000 new companies established within the past three years. This represents a compound annual growth rate of 23.6 percent.
The local industry spans the entire value chain, from winter tourism and event operations to equipment manufacturing and technical services. More than 80 companies in Harbin now specialize in producing winter sports equipment, including snowboards and ice skates.
Technological innovation is also shaping the sector. Harbin Zhongcheng Technology Development, for example, has developed the “Snow Lion” intelligent snow-clearing machine, capable of crushing, pushing, and removing snow while automatically adjusting operations based on real-time temperature and ice thickness.
The company has collaborated with multiple universities to develop proprietary snow-removal technologies and has seen revenue grow by 25 percent year-on-year, supported by strong policy backing and rising industry demand.
Looking ahead, China’s ice and snow economy shows no signs of slowing down. With government support, expanding consumer interest, and rapid technological advancement, the sector is evolving into a major engine of economic growth.
From winter sports equipment manufacturing to tourism and entertainment, the ice and snow industry is steadily establishing itself as one of the key pillars of China’s future winter sports economy.
