China's Jilin witnesses considerable growth in winter sports economy-Xinhua

Left photo shows 5-year-old Wu Xiaoming (L) and Yu Xiaohong take skiing gears on their way to learn skiing in the suburbs of Tonghua, northeast China's Jilin Province (file, taken on Feb. 14, 1973). Right photo shows kids enjoy skiing at Wanfeng Ski Resort in Thonghua (taken on Feb. 10, 2023 by Yan Linyun). With its unique natural conditions, Tonghua, located in the southeastern part of Jilin Province, is one of the first cities in China to promote skiing. Jinchang Ski Resort, built in 1959, is China's first alpine ski resort.

Famous for its long snow season and powder snow, Changbai Mountain in Jilin province has long been an ideal place for skiing. It has become a major destination for ski enthusiasts all over China, thanks to the soaring interest in winter sports fueled by Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Nowadays, Jilin witnesses considerable growth in winter sports economy, as well as real changes to local people's lives. (Xinhua)

Police officers patrol the Songjianghe National Forest Park by skiing in the Changbai Mountain, northeast China's Jilin Province on Feb. 7, 2023. Winter patrolling here used to be extremely hard due to the mountain's height, dense forest, heavy snow, and enormous patrol areas. Inspired by alpine skiing, a team of 20 forest police officers now patrol the Songjianghe National Forest Park by skiing.

Police officers remove a trap during patrolling in Songjianghe National Forest Park, Changbai Mountain, northeast China's Jilin Province on Feb. 7, 2023. Winter patrolling here used to be extremely hard due to the mountain's height, dense forest, heavy snow, and enormous patrol areas. Inspired by alpine skiing, a team of 20 forest police officers now patrol the Songjianghe National Forest Park by skiing.

Police officer Wang Jianbo (front) and his teammates patrol in Songjianghe National Forest Park, Changbai Mountain, northeast China's Jilin Province on Feb. 7, 2023. Winter patrolling here used to be extremely hard due to the mountain's height, dense forest, heavy snow, and enormous patrol areas. Inspired by alpine skiing, a team of 20 forest police officers now patrol the Songjianghe National Forest Park by skiing.

A skier enjoys skiing at Vanke Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province on Jan. 1, 2023. Famous for its long snow season and powder snow, Changbai Mountain in Jilin province has long been an ideal place for skiing. It has become a major destination for ski enthusiasts all over China, thanks to the soaring interest in winter sports fueled by Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Nowadays, Jilin witnesses considerable growth in winter sports economy, as well as real changes to local people's lives. (Xinhua/Yan Linyun)

Shao Feng, an owner of a homestay, burst firecrackers out of his homestay on Jan. 21, 2023 in Nangou village, near Beidahu Ski Resort, northeast China's Jilin Province. Driven by winter sports economy, an increasing number of villagers have found their way to wealth.

Members of V-PARK work at the park in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province on Dec. 9, 2022. With the continuous improvement of the public skiing level following the craze set off by Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, more and more winter sports lovers come to V-PARK to experience freestyle skiing.

Yu Shufen cleans her homestay in Nangou village, near Beidahu Ski Resort, northeast China's Jilin Province on Nov. 21, 2022. Driven by winter sports economy, an increasing number of villagers have found their way to wealth.

The 53-year-old Yu Shufen is among the first individuals in her village to run a homestay for skiers. Yu established her homestay to provide catering and accommodation for skiers 13 years ago. Her business nowadays can generate hundreds of thousands of yuan in revenue each snow season.

"Winter is the busiest time of the year in our village nowadays, and winter sports economy has become a golden opportunity for us to achieve wealth," says Yu.

This aerial photo taken on Jan. 19, 2023 shows a general view of Nangou village, near Beidahu Ski Resort, northeast China's Jilin Province. Driven by winter sports economy, an increasing number of villagers have found their way to wealth.

Photo taken on Dec. 30, 2018 shows Lake Songhua in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province. Famous for its long snow season and powder snow, Changbai Mountain in Jilin province has long been an ideal place for skiing. It has become a major destination for ski enthusiasts all over China, thanks to the soaring interest in winter sports fueled by Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Nowadays, Jilin witnesses considerable growth in winter sports economy, as well as real changes to local people's lives. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

Yu Shufen serves food for customers in her homestay in Nangou village, near Beidahu Ski Resort, northeast China's Jilin Province on Feb. 11, 2023. Driven by winter sports economy, an increasing number of villagers have found their way to wealth.

"Winter is the busiest time of the year in our village nowadays, and winter sports economy has become a golden opportunity for us to achieve wealth," says Yu.

A skier enjoys skiing at Beidahu Ski Resort in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province on Jan. 26, 2020. Famous for its long snow season and powder snow, Changbai Mountain in Jilin province has long been an ideal place for skiing. It has become a major destination for ski enthusiasts all over China, thanks to the soaring interest in winter sports fueled by Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Nowadays, Jilin witnesses considerable growth in winter sports economy, as well as real changes to local people's lives. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

Wei Wei works at V-PARK in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province on Dec. 9, 2022. Wei Wei, a 34-year-old native of Tonghua, is currently the manager of the V-PARK Terrain Snow Park at Vanke Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin City. Ever since his childhood, Wei has engaged in skiing and fallen in love with this sport. Therefore, he chose a major related to snow park management when he studied abroad. After graduating, Wei came back to Jilin City and started to build the V-PARK Terrain Snow Park.

With the continuous improvement of the public skiing level following the craze set off by Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, more and more winter sports lovers come to V-PARK to experience freestyle skiing.

Police officers Sun Xigang, Zeng Qingwen, Xu Chongyang, Zhang Di and Liang Dejin (L to R) pose for a group photo during patrolling in Songjianghe National Forest Park, Changbai Mountain, northeast China's Jilin Province on Feb. 7, 2023. Winter patrolling here used to be extremely hard due to the mountain's height, dense forest, heavy snow, and enormous patrol areas. Inspired by alpine skiing, a team of 20 forest police officers now patrol the Songjianghe National Forest Park by skiing.

Yu Shufen poses for photos in front of her homestay in Nangou village, near Beidahu Ski Resort, northeast China's Jilin Province on Feb. 11, 2023. Driven by winter sports economy, an increasing number of villagers have found their way to wealth.

"Winter is the busiest time of the year in our village nowadays, and winter sports economy has become a golden opportunity for us to achieve wealth," says Yu.

This aerial photo taken on Feb. 10, 2023 shows a general view of downtown Tonghua and Wanfeng Ski Resort, northeast China's Jilin Province. With its unique natural conditions, Tonghua, located in the southeastern part of Jilin Province, is one of the first cities in China to promote skiing. Jinchang Ski Resort, built in 1959, is China's first alpine ski resort.

Su Yiming, gold medalist of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, enjoys skiing at V-PARK in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province on Dec. 10, 2022. With the continuous improvement of the public skiing level following the craze set off by Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, more and more winter sports lovers come to V-PARK to experience freestyle skiing.

This aerial photo taken on Feb. 8, 2023 shows the main peak of Changbai Mountain, northeast China's Jilin Province. Famous for its long snow season and powder snow, Changbai Mountain in Jilin province has long been an ideal place for skiing. It has become a major destination for ski enthusiasts all over China, thanks to the soaring interest in winter sports fueled by Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Nowadays, Jilin witnesses considerable growth in winter sports economy, as well as real changes to local people's lives. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

This aerial photo taken on Feb. 11, 2023 shows homestay accommodations for skiers in Nangou village, near Beidahu Ski Resort, northeast China's Jilin Province. Driven by winter sports economy, an increasing number of villagers have found their way to wealth.

Shao Feng, an owner of a homestay, takes photos for families and skiers in his homestay on Jan. 21, 2023 in Nangou village, near Beidahu Ski Resort, northeast China's Jilin Province. Driven by winter sports economy, an increasing number of villagers have found their way to wealth.

Photo taken on Jan. 11, 2018 shows rime scenery near Songhua River, in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province. Famous for its long snow season and powder snow, Changbai Mountain in Jilin province has long been an ideal place for skiing. It has become a major destination for ski enthusiasts all over China, thanks to the soaring interest in winter sports fueled by Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Nowadays, Jilin witnesses considerable growth in winter sports economy, as well as real changes to local people's lives. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

A skier enjoys skiing at V-PARK in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province on Feb. 11, 2023. With the continuous improvement of the public skiing level following the craze set off by Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, more and more winter sports lovers come to V-PARK to experience freestyle skiing.

Wei Wei (R) communicates with his colleague in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province on Feb. 11, 2023. Wei Wei, a 34-year-old native of Tonghua, is currently the manager of the V-PARK Terrain Snow Park at Vanke Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin City. Ever since his childhood, Wei has engaged in skiing and fallen in love with this sport. Therefore, he chose a major related to snow park management when he studied abroad. After graduating, Wei came back to Jilin City and started to build the V-PARK Terrain Snow Park.

File photo shows skier Song Chengmin (2nd L) pose for photograph. With its unique natural conditions, Tonghua, located in the southeastern part of Jilin Province, is one of the first cities in China to promote skiing. Jinchang Ski Resort, built in 1959, is China's first alpine ski resort.

Song Chengmin, who specializes in cross-country skiing and won four national skiing gold medals, has witnessed the upgrading of the Jinchang Ski Resort as one of the first-generation skiers in China.

Despite being 78 years old now, Song has remained active in the field of sports. After retiring from skiing, Song served as the principal of Tonghua Children's Sports School. He trained more than 240 athletes, who have harvested 69 gold medals in national junior skiing competitions and 338 medals in provincial skiing.

File photo taken on Feb. 15, 1957 shows a general view of the 1st China National Game of Skiing in Tonghua, northeast China's Jilin Province. With its unique natural conditions, Tonghua, located in the southeastern part of Jilin Province, is one of the first cities in China to promote skiing. Jinchang Ski Resort, built in 1959, is China's first alpine ski resort.

Wei Wei poses for photograph at V-PARK in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province on Feb. 11, 2023. Wei Wei, a 34-year-old native of Tonghua, is currently the manager of the V-PARK Terrain Snow Park at Vanke Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin City. Ever since his childhood, Wei has engaged in skiing and fallen in love with this sport. Therefore, he chose a major related to snow park management when he studied abroad. After graduating, Wei came back to Jilin City and started to build the V-PARK Terrain Snow Park.

This combined photo shows cable cars at the Jinchang Ski Resort in the past (top, file) and skiers taking a cable car at Wanfeng Ski Resort in Tonghua, northeast China's Jilin Province (taken on Feb. 10, 2023 by Yan Linyun). With its unique natural conditions, Tonghua, located in the southeastern part of Jilin Province, is one of the first cities in China to promote skiing. Jinchang Ski Resort, built in 1959, is China's first alpine ski resort.

Police officers Xu Chongyang (R) and Zhang Di check skiing equipment before patrolling in Songjianghe National Forest Park, Changbai Mountain, northeast China's Jilin Province on Feb. 7, 2023. Winter patrolling here used to be extremely hard due to the mountain's height, dense forest, heavy snow, and enormous patrol areas. Inspired by alpine skiing, a team of 20 forest police officers now patrol the Songjianghe National Forest Park by skiing.

This combined photo shows the Jinchang Ski Resort with only two tracks in the past (Top, file) and Wanfeng Ski Resort, transformed from Jinchang Ski Resort, in Tonghua, northeast China's Jilin Province (taken on Feb. 10, 2023 by Xu Chang). With its unique natural conditions, Tonghua, located in the southeastern part of Jilin Province, is one of the first cities in China to promote skiing. Jinchang Ski Resort, built in 1959, is China's first alpine ski resort.

Song Chengmin is seen at a newly-established cross-country ski resort in Tonghua, northeast China's Jilin Province on Feb. 10, 2023. With its unique natural conditions, Tonghua, located in the southeastern part of Jilin Province, is one of the first cities in China to promote skiing. Jinchang Ski Resort, built in 1959, is China's first alpine ski resort.

Song Chengmin, who specializes in cross-country skiing and won four national skiing gold medals, has witnessed the upgrading of the Jinchang Ski Resort as one of the first-generation skiers in China.