Core Insights - The article highlights the rapid growth and popularity of ice and snow sports in China, transitioning from niche activities to mainstream participation [2][4][5] - Economic development, particularly the increase in GDP, has played a crucial role in making ice and snow sports more accessible to the general public [5][9] - The successful hosting of the Beijing Winter Olympics has significantly boosted the ice and snow sports industry, leading to increased participation and investment [6][7] Economic Impact - The ice and snow industry in China has seen substantial growth, with the total scale increasing from 270 billion yuan in 2015 to an expected 980 billion yuan by 2024, and projected to surpass 1 trillion yuan in 2025 [9] - The development of ice and snow sports has stimulated related sectors, including tourism, equipment manufacturing, and cultural activities, creating a comprehensive industry ecosystem [8][9] - The rise in participation has led to increased consumer spending, with venues like the Yao Xue Ice and Snow World in Shanghai generating 200 million yuan in economic benefits within a year [8] Participation Trends - Ice and snow sports have become increasingly popular among various demographics, including families and young adults, with many seeking to learn and engage in these activities [3][4] - The accessibility of ice and snow sports has improved, with indoor facilities emerging in southern regions, making these activities available year-round [4][8] - Events and competitions, such as the Jiangsu Province Alpine Skiing Open, are being organized in non-traditional regions, further promoting participation [4]

Core Insights - The domestic ice and snow tourism market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by the "snow holiday" policy, leading to a significant increase in youth and family visitors [1][2][3] Group 1: Youth Visitor Growth - The introduction of "snow holidays" in regions like Xinjiang and Jilin has resulted in a doubling of youth visitors to ski resorts, with over 10,000 young skiers recorded this season, marking a significant increase compared to the previous season [2][3] - Skiing winter camps are seeing a notable rise in youth participation, with registration numbers doubling compared to previous years, prompting longer and more diverse camp offerings [3] - The increase in youth visitors is also boosting family tourism, as evidenced by a 131% rise in searches for family ski packages since mid-November [3] Group 2: Accommodation Demand - The demand for hotels and homestays near ski resorts has surged, with a reported 87% increase in searches for nearby ski accommodations [4] - Popular ski resorts like Chongli Wanlong and Fulong have seen order volumes increase by 257% and 210% respectively compared to last year, while Beijing's military ski resort has experienced a staggering 489% increase in bookings [4][5] - The average occupancy rate for hotels at Fulong ski resort is around 60% on weekdays, with weekends often fully booked, indicating strong demand [5] Group 3: Diverse Ice and Snow Experiences - Beyond skiing, tourists are increasingly interested in diverse activities such as snow hiking and photography, with ticket bookings for scenic spots like Xiling Snow Mountain and Karola Glacier seeing significant growth [6][7] - The trend towards multi-faceted ice and snow tourism is evident, with offerings expanding to include events like snow drifting and photography, catering to a broader audience [7] - The market is evolving to meet the demand for personalized and high-quality experiences, with a focus on small group custom services becoming more popular [7]

Core Points - Jilin Province has established an "Ice and Snow Holiday" from December 3 to 7 for students in compulsory education to promote ice and snow sports and develop the ice and snow market [1] - During the "Ice and Snow Holiday," qualified ski resorts, ice rinks, and A-level tourist attractions in Jilin will offer free experiences for students, including three hours of daily access and free admission to A-level attractions [1] - All compulsory education schools in Jilin will be closed during this holiday, with no classes or written assignments assigned [1] - The government encourages employees in public and private sectors to take paid leave to accompany their children in ice and snow activities [1]

Core Viewpoint - Jilin Province has introduced a "snow holiday" from December 3 to December 7, 2025, for all students in the compulsory education stage, aimed at promoting ice and snow sports and enhancing local consumption in the ice and snow sector [1][2][3]. Group 1: Policy Implementation - The "snow holiday" will not overlap with winter or summer vacations, allowing students to engage in ice and snow activities without academic pressure [1][5]. - Students can enjoy free access to designated ski and ice rinks for three hours, along with free admission to winter tourist attractions [3][4]. - The policy aims to create a sustainable mechanism for ice and snow culture and industry development, transitioning from a temporary measure to a long-term initiative [2][8]. Group 2: Economic Impact - The introduction of the "snow holiday" is expected to activate local ice and snow consumption potential, benefiting related industries such as accommodation, dining, and transportation [2][7]. - The initiative is part of a broader strategy to position Jilin as a prominent ice and snow destination, enhancing its brand recognition both nationally and globally [6][7]. Group 3: Comparison with Other Regions - Xinjiang has also implemented a "snow holiday," but Jilin's approach is more inclusive, offering the holiday to all students without regional restrictions [5][6]. - While Xinjiang's holiday is designed to connect with weekends for longer breaks, Jilin's holiday is a fixed period, emphasizing participation in ice and snow activities [5][6]. Group 4: Challenges and Future Directions - There are concerns about the actual participation rates of students, as the policy is largely advisory and may face practical challenges in implementation [7][8]. - Experts suggest that the "snow holiday" should evolve into organized activities, integrating ice and snow education into regular school curricula to ensure long-term engagement [8].

Core Points - The introduction of a winter "snow holiday" in Jilin Province aims to stimulate the ice and snow economy by encouraging family participation in winter sports and activities [1][11] - The first day of the snow holiday saw a significant increase in visitor numbers at key ice and snow venues, indicating a strong market response [3][4] Group 1: Economic Impact - The snow holiday has led to over 50,000 visitors at major ski resorts, with a 100% year-on-year increase in visitor numbers at some locations [3] - Public cultural venues, such as museums and libraries, have also seen increased participation from students during the holiday [4] Group 2: Family Engagement - The snow holiday encourages flexible vacation arrangements for working parents, allowing them to spend time with their children [5][7] - Families are encouraged to engage in local ice and snow activities, promoting physical health and enjoyment among children [7] Group 3: Long-term Strategy - The snow holiday is viewed as a long-term initiative, with plans to extend the holiday period in future years to enhance ice and snow service capabilities [9] - There is a focus on developing local ice and snow facilities and training professional instructors to support the initiative [9] Group 4: Policy Innovation - The snow holiday is seen as a significant policy innovation that aligns with local resources and aims to boost tourism and leisure consumption [11] - The initiative is expected to enhance the geographical brand image of Jilin and Xinjiang as key destinations for winter sports [11] Group 5: Business Model Challenges - Ice and snow businesses face operational pressures despite the rapid growth of the ice and snow economy, necessitating innovative business models [13] - Free or low-cost access to snow activities is viewed as a strategy to cultivate future consumers, while businesses must also diversify their offerings to include related services [13]

Core Viewpoint - The opening of the new snow season at the Jizhou International Ski Resort in Tianjin has attracted numerous visitors, boosting the local ice and snow economy [2] Group 1: Industry Development - The Jizhou District in Tianjin is actively exploring unique ice and snow cultural tourism resources [2] - There is an ongoing effort to improve the infrastructure of the ice and snow industry in the region [2] - The transformation of "cold resources" into a "hot economy" through ice and snow tourism is being promoted [2]

Core Viewpoint - Jilin Province has introduced a "Snow Holiday" from December 3 to December 7, 2025, for all students in compulsory education, aimed at promoting ice and snow sports and boosting local consumption in the ice and snow sector [1][2][3]. Group 1: Policy Implementation - The "Snow Holiday" will not overlap with winter or summer vacations, allowing students to engage in ice and snow activities without academic pressure [1][2]. - Students can enjoy free access to designated ski and ice rinks for three hours, along with free admission to winter tourist attractions [3][4]. - The initiative is part of a broader strategy to cultivate a culture of ice and snow sports in China, transitioning from a "big ice and snow country" to a "strong ice and snow country" [4][6]. Group 2: Economic Impact - The introduction of the "Snow Holiday" is expected to activate local ice and snow consumption potential, benefiting related industries such as accommodation, dining, and transportation [2][7]. - The program aims to create a positive cycle of "education empowerment + consumption stimulation + industry linkage" [7][8]. - Jilin Province plans to enhance its ice and snow brand nationally and globally, promoting the local ice and snow economy and education [6][8]. Group 3: Comparison with Other Regions - Xinjiang's "Snow Holiday" is being piloted in Urumqi and Altay, with a longer holiday period of nine days, while Jilin's holiday is more structured and accessible to all students [5][6]. - The focus of Xinjiang's initiative is on leveraging local ice and snow resources, while Jilin aims to establish a comprehensive ice and snow culture and economy [6][8]. Group 4: Challenges and Future Directions - There are concerns about the actual participation of students in ice and snow activities, as many parents may not have the time to accompany their children [7][8]. - Experts suggest that the "Snow Holiday" should evolve into organized activities rather than remain a casual break, integrating ice and snow education into the regular curriculum [8].

Core Insights - The 26th China Entrepreneurs Forum Annual Meeting will be held from March 17 to 19, 2026, in Yabuli, which is recognized as a leading example of China's ice and snow economy [1] - Yabuli is transitioning from a "single-season ski resort" to a "four-season cultural tourism destination" through a combination of events, IP, vacation offerings, and unique experiences [1][4] Event Economy - Yabuli boasts seven ski resorts with 56 ski trails totaling over 100 kilometers, including trails certified by the International Ski Federation, enabling it to host over 80% of international A-level snow events [3] - Visitor numbers have exceeded 1.1 million and 1.21 million in the past two seasons, making it the first ski resort in China to surpass one million visitors in a single season [3] - For the 2025-2026 season, Yabuli plans to host one international, seven national, and eight provincial-level skiing events, enhancing its international profile and driving tourism-related consumption [3][4] Business Model Upgrade - To address the seasonal dependency of the ice and snow economy, Yabuli initiated a "four-season cultural tourism industry transformation" in 2025, introducing summer events and unique experiences to boost off-season consumption [4] - Summer visitor numbers increased by 19% due to events like stargazing camping festivals and volleyball competitions [4] Smart Empowerment - Yabuli is implementing a "smart scenic area" initiative to enhance visitor experience by monitoring key environmental data and managing visitor flow and parking intelligently [8] - The resort is also focusing on service quality by collaborating with universities to train professional ski instructors and service personnel [8] Regional Synergy - Yabuli's location near Harbin and Mudanjiang allows it to leverage rich surrounding tourism resources, enhancing its appeal as a central hub for ice and snow tourism [9] - The Harbin Ice and Snow World and other attractions are expected to complement Yabuli's offerings, creating a "snow tourism corridor" for resource sharing and customer exchange [9][10] Future Development - The Heilongjiang provincial government is promoting a "China No.1 Ice and Snow Tourism" route, enhancing core products like Yabuli and other key attractions [10] - Yabuli aims to become a world-renowned ice and snow sports tourism destination and an international conference venue, with plans for an airport and high-quality outdoor sports facilities [10][11]

Core Viewpoint - The opening of the new snow season at the Jizhou International Ski Resort in Tianjin has attracted numerous visitors, boosting the local ice and snow economy [2][4][6]. Group 1: Economic Impact - The Jizhou International Ski Resort is driving the local ice and snow economy, which is experiencing continuous growth as more tourists engage in winter sports [2][4][6]. - The region is transforming its "cold resources" into a "hot economy" through the development of ice and snow tourism [2][4][6]. Group 2: Infrastructure Development - In recent years, Jizhou District has actively explored unique ice and snow cultural tourism resources and improved the infrastructure of the ice and snow industry [2][4][6]. - The enhancement of infrastructure is aimed at releasing the economic potential of the ice and snow sector [2][4][6].

Group 1 - Urumqi has introduced its first "snow holiday," leading to a surge in visitors at ski resorts, primarily consisting of families and students [1][2] - The Urumqi Cultural Broadcasting and Tourism Bureau has implemented measures during the "snow holiday" to promote ice and snow sports, combining them with nature observation and intangible cultural heritage experiences for students [2] - The Silk Road Mountain Resort reported a daily visitor count of 20,000 during the "snow holiday," representing a 70% year-on-year increase, with 20% of visitors being students [3] Group 2 - Parents have expressed that engaging in ice and snow activities is a more valuable holiday arrangement than mere leisure, emphasizing physical fitness and skill development for their children [4]