Residents in northeast China’s Jilin Province are finding it easier than ever to enjoy ice and snow sports, as cities upgrade facilities and bring winter activities closer to daily life.

Across urban areas, improved infrastructure now allows people to skate or ski without travelling to distant resorts. In the provincial capital Changchun, a newly opened urban ski area is attracting growing numbers of enthusiasts who once needed an hour’s drive to reach the slopes on the city’s outskirts.

“I really enjoy coming here to have fun,” said young skier Lv Xinrui, who added that his parents bought him skiing equipment.

Local authorities say integrating winter sports into urban spaces is key to building a lasting ice and snow culture. “Planning and building the ski area helps integrate ice and snow sports into urban life,” said Wang Xiaoyan, deputy director of the Changchun Municipal Sport Administration.

The city has also opened a 26,000-square-metre public ice rink free of charge, while more than 50 free urban ice rinks have been added across Jilin since the start of 2026.

Source: China Central Television