Shenzhen Heats Up Winter Sports with World’s Largest Indoor Ski Resort
Shenzhen, China - In a surprising turn for the subtropical city of Shenzhen, Guangdong province, winter sports enthusiasts are preparing to hit the slopes next month. The opening of Qianhai Huafa Snow World on Monday will establish what is being touted as the world’s largest indoor ski resort in the heart of China’s tech hub, offering a year-round skiing destination despite temperatures forecast to reach 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) during the upcoming eight-day National Day holiday, also known as “golden week.”
The move reflects a broader strategy by Chinese authorities to stimulate consumption and grow the winter sports economy, fueled by increased interest following the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. The 10-hectare (24.7 acre) resort boasts five ski slopes, including one with an notable 83-meter (272.3 feet) vertical drop, catering to both novice and experienced skiers.
“It’s great that thay built this. Skiers won’t have to sit through boring summers any more,” said Xie Siya, a 30-year-old resident of Guangzhou, who plans to visit the resort during the holiday. For skiers like Xie, the new resort offers a convenient and affordable alternative to conventional winter trips. She currently spends approximately 1,000 yuan (US$140) monthly at indoor ski resorts, or upwards of 5,000 yuan on trips to outdoor slopes during the winter season.
The rise of indoor ski resorts in China demonstrates a growing demand for winter sports accessibility, notably in regions where natural snowfall is rare.Qianhai Huafa Snow World aims to capitalize on this trend, providing a climate-controlled environment for skiing and snowboarding nonetheless of the season, and possibly attracting a new wave of winter sports participants.
