China Surges Ahead In Winter Tourism With Record-Breaking Skiing Days, Luxury Resorts, Indoor Ski Parks, And Family-Friendly Adventures

Published on September 16, 2025

Skiing in China is transforming from a niche, elite pastime into a thriving national and global industry. Once considered an exclusive activity for the wealthy, skiing is now gaining widespread popularity, positioning China to become a major player in international snow tourism. According to the China Ski Industry White Paper 2024-2025, this remarkable growth is fueled by large-scale investments in infrastructure, comprehensive government support, and a burgeoning middle class with an increasing appetite for leisure and recreational pursuits.

Currently, China boasts 748 ski resorts, including 66 indoor facilities, and recorded approximately 26.05 million skiing days in the 2024-2025 season. These figures underline the country’s rapid emergence as a serious contender in the global ski tourism market, signaling not just expansion, but transformation.

Rising Popularity of Skiing

The 2024-2025 season marked a pivotal moment for skiing in China. The total number of skiing days jumped 12.9%, while the skier population grew 5.86% to reach 13.55 million. This surge highlights the sport’s shift from a specialized pursuit to a mainstream leisure activity embraced by families and individuals alike. The rise of a middle class with greater disposable income has been a key factor, turning skiing into both a status symbol and a widely enjoyed recreational experience. Urban professionals and families increasingly view winter sports as a desirable pastime, combining health, excitement, and social prestige.

Indoor Ski Resorts Lead the Boom

A driving force behind China’s ski revolution is its indoor ski facilities. In the 2024-2025 season, indoor resorts attracted over 5.6 million visitors, accounting for more than a fifth of national demand. China is home to seven of the world’s ten largest indoor ski resorts, offering year-round skiing even in major cities such as Shanghai and Beijing. These cutting-edge complexes, equipped with artificial snow and advanced climate control, have made skiing accessible to millions of urban residents, expanding participation far beyond the traditional mountainous regions. Indoor resorts also provide opportunities for beginners to learn the sport in controlled environments, helping nurture a new generation of skiers.

Government Initiatives and Olympic Legacy

The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics served as a turning point for the country’s ski industry. Government strategies aimed to engage 300 million people in winter sports, resulting in massive investments in ski resorts, ice rinks, and related tourism infrastructure. Educational programs introduced snow sports to schools, ensuring that skiing became part of youth recreation and helping cultivate long-term interest in winter sports. Additionally, tourism packages that combine skiing with cultural experiences, entertainment, and local cuisine have made ski trips appealing to a broader audience, further integrating winter sports into everyday leisure culture.

Expansion Across Regions

China’s ski landscape has grown dramatically, from fewer than ten resorts in 1996 to over 800 today. The northeast region, with its naturally cold climate, was traditionally the center of skiing, but modern resorts with artificial snow now bring winter sports to central and southern parts of the country. This expansion has made skiing accessible to millions more people and transformed it into a family-friendly activity that caters to both novices and experienced enthusiasts. Skiing is no longer confined to mountainous regions, allowing urban residents and tourists to enjoy the sport without extensive travel.

Economic and Cultural Impact

Rapid economic growth has played a crucial role in shaping skiing’s popularity. The emerging middle class has more discretionary income to spend on leisure, making skiing an attractive way to combine recreation with status. Resorts have responded by diversifying their offerings, including slopes for all skill levels, premium accommodations, and luxury amenities. Integrating local cultural elements, such as festivals, culinary experiences, and traditional entertainment, has enhanced the appeal of ski tourism. Visitors can now enjoy a multi-dimensional experience that combines sport, culture, and lifestyle, reinforcing skiing’s place in China’s expanding leisure sector.

Global Ambitions and Future Challenges

China is actively pursuing the goal of becoming the world’s largest snow tourism market. However, challenges remain. Maintaining consistently high service standards across hundreds of resorts is critical for sustained growth. Attracting international tourists to compete with established ski destinations in Europe and North America will require sophisticated marketing, top-tier facilities, and seamless visitor experiences. Nonetheless, the combination of government backing, state-of-the-art resorts, and rising domestic enthusiasm positions China favorably to achieve its global ambitions in winter sports tourism.

As the country continues to invest in infrastructure, promote participation, and integrate cultural experiences with recreational skiing, China is set to redefine winter tourism on a global scale. Skiing is no longer an elite niche but a dynamic, inclusive, and culturally enriching experience for millions of people.