As China’s 15th National Games heat up, a wave of excitement for winter sports is sweeping across Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, one of the country’s top ski destinations. 

At the Koktokay International Ski Resort, the first large-scale outdoor ski area to open this season, skiers and snowboarders have been hitting the slopes since mid-October, with daily visitor numbers soaring to nearly 3,000.

Thanks to its stunning scenery, high altitude, and long operating season lasting until May, Koktokay has become a magnet for both tourists and professional teams. Xinjiang has also rolled out generous incentives to boost participation; from free skiing for local residents to complimentary sessions for tourists and newly launched ice and snow consumption vouchers. 

Schools are joining in too, with winter sports integrated into physical education and a five day “snow break” giving students free access to Altay’s ski resorts, nurturing a new generation of snow enthusiasts.

Source: China Central Television