Core Viewpoint - The opening of Huafa Qianhai Ice and Snow World, claimed to be the "world's largest indoor ski resort," has sparked controversy over its pricing structure, with many consumers expressing concerns about affordability while some support the premium pricing for its unique offerings [2][3][8]. Pricing Controversy - The ticket pricing for Huafa Qianhai Ice and Snow World starts at 208 yuan for a 2-hour snow play ticket and 348 yuan for a 3-hour skiing ticket, with annual memberships exceeding 20,000 yuan, leading to significant public debate about the affordability of these prices [2][3][6]. - A family of three would spend over 1,000 yuan for a single skiing experience, which has led to complaints about the high costs compared to other ski resorts in northern China [3][6]. - Some consumers have called for more affordable options, such as student tickets and weekday discounts, to lower the entry barrier for visitors [3][6]. Unique Features of the Resort - Huafa Qianhai Ice and Snow World boasts a total area of 100,000 square meters, featuring 5 professional ski slopes, including FIS-certified competition-level slopes, and a vertical drop of 83 meters [5][6]. - The resort includes a capacity to transport 3,200 people per hour through its two chairlifts and five magic carpets, ensuring a smooth experience during peak times [5][6]. Competitive Pricing Analysis - Compared to other ski resorts, Huafa Qianhai Ice and Snow World's pricing is positioned at a higher tier. For instance, a 3-hour skiing ticket at a similar resort in Guangzhou is priced between 200 to 300 yuan, while Huafa's starts at 348 yuan [6][7]. - The pricing strategy reflects a focus on attracting serious skiing enthusiasts, with membership options ranging from 9,999 yuan for 90 days to 23,799 yuan for a full year, which is not offered by many competing resorts [7][8]. Company Response and Future Plans - The management of Huafa Qianhai Ice and Snow World has stated that the pricing is based on the unique features and high-quality facilities of the resort, and they plan to introduce various promotional activities and diverse ticketing options in the future [8][9]. - The resort aims to create a multi-scenario experience by integrating additional facilities such as a deep diving base and a luxury hotel, enhancing the overall value proposition for visitors [8][9].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the report is the historical development and current status of the global snow industry, highlighting its evolution from the mid-19th century to the present, with a focus on the growth of indoor snow facilities in countries lacking natural snow resources like China [2][4]. - The snow industry originated in the Alpine region in the mid-19th century, with significant development occurring after the first Winter Olympics in the early 20th century, leading to a boom in ski resort development in Switzerland and Austria [2][3]. - The snow industry experienced rapid growth in Europe and North America during the 1960s, followed by expansion into Asian markets in the 1970s, marking a phase of comprehensive expansion [3]. Group 2 - The current state of the snow industry indicates that outdoor ski resorts remain the primary business model, while countries like China are increasingly developing indoor snow facilities to tap into the snow consumption potential [4][5]. - As of April 2022, 68 countries have equipped outdoor ski resorts, with 62 located in the Northern Hemisphere, indicating a concentration of snow resources in this region [4]. - The global snow industry market size was approximately $136.53 billion in 2019, dropping to $66.22 billion in 2021 due to the pandemic, but is expected to recover to $95.03 billion in 2022, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 37.81% [4][5]. Group 3 - The number of ski resorts globally has shown a slight increase, with 5,764 resorts reported at the end of the 2021-2022 season, recovering from a dip during the pandemic [5]. - The number of participants in the global snow industry has stabilized, returning to pre-pandemic levels with 350 million participants in the 2021-2022 season, following a decline during the pandemic years [5][6]. - The Alpine region remains the most developed area for the snow industry, hosting 771 large ski resorts, which account for 37% of the global total, and attracting a significant portion of industry participants [6]. Group 4 - The market penetration rate for skiing is relatively saturated in Europe, with countries like Switzerland and Austria having rates of 35% and 34% respectively, while China's penetration rate is only 1%, indicating significant growth potential [6]. - The report emphasizes that the rapid development of the snow industry in China presents a new growth opportunity, as the country seeks to expand its snow sports market [6]. - The report outlines the future trends and investment opportunities in the snow industry, particularly during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, which is expected to drive further growth and innovation [18][21].

Core Points - The Jilin Provincial Government has launched a special action plan to boost consumption, focusing on the development of winter tourism and ski resorts [1] - The plan includes a series of activities called "Summer of Ski Resorts" to promote integrated development of agriculture, culture, and tourism in key ski areas [1] - Financial incentives are provided for ski resorts based on their visitor numbers, with one-time subsidies of 1 million yuan for those exceeding 1 million visitors, 500,000 yuan for those with at least 500,000 visitors, and 300,000 yuan for those with at least 300,000 visitors [1] Group 1 - The plan aims to enhance the year-round operational capacity of ski resorts by encouraging the development of various winter activities such as ice fishing, ice restaurants, and snow sculptures [1] - The overall funding for ice and snow consumption vouchers has been increased to 100 million yuan [1] - The initiative also includes guidance for key ice and snow enterprises to update and improve their product offerings, ensuring comprehensive coverage of snow entertainment projects in counties [1]