As frosty thrills take center stage at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin, a chill-fueled economic revolution is sweeping across China. The event has become a catalyst for a $120 billion ice and snow economy projected to grow 30% annually through 2027, according to Ministry of Culture and Tourism data.
Cold Weather, Hot Market
From professional ski slopes in Heilongjiang to pop-up ice rinks in Shanghai, winter sports participation has surged by 45% since 2023. Social media trends show TikTok-style tutorials for snow tubing and ice climbing amassing 1.2 billion views under #WinterPlayChina.
Tech Meets Frost
Startups are capitalizing on the boom: AI-powered ski goggles tracking performance metrics and VR skiing simulators for urban dwellers rank among 2024's top-funded winter tech ventures. Alibaba Cloud reports doubling demand for smart resort management systems across northern China.
Sustainability on Slopes
Eco-innovations shine with 60% of new winter resorts using solar-powered snowmaking. 'This isn't just recreation – it's climate-resilient economic development,' notes Tsinghua University researcher Zhang Wei. The trend aligns with China's broader carbon neutrality goals.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
