Turning snow into gold

China's winter sports boom is expected to propel its ice-and-snow economy past $187 billion in 2025

NANJING - Skis strapped on, goggles tightened, and helmet fastened. Novice skier Wang Lin took a deep breath before hurtling down a 138m-long indoor slope, immersing herself in an exhilarating rush of speed.

For Ms Wang, there is no need to travel thousands of kilometers to China's frozen northern frontiers. Just 2km from her home in Wuxi, a two-hour drive from Shanghai, lies a fairy-tale-like haven whose decor and soft snow can whisk her into a winter's dream.

"Skiing is a huge stress reliever," she said, beaming after her run. "My whole family can visit the ski resort every week. It's incredibly convenient."

Known as Wuxi Bonski, the indoor facility spans 17,500 sq m and attracts hundreds of enthusiasts daily.

Notably, around 70 percent of visitors hail from the Yangtze River Delta region, where sustained snowfall is a rarity. For many urbanites accustomed to mild winters, a facility like this redefines the season in an environment where natural snow remains elusive.

China's winter sports market is on a meteoric rise. According to a recent industry report, the country's ice-and-snow economy is expected to reach 970 billion yuan (S$181 billion) in 2024 and surpass 1 trillion yuan in 2025.

Backed by government directives aiming to leverage winter sports as a catalyst for high-quality growth, the sector is forecast to expand to 1.2 trillion yuan by 2027 and 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030.

As winter unfolds, ice skaters and skiers are spreading well beyond traditional northern strongholds, bringing the speed and adrenaline of winter sports to nearly every corner of the country.

LACK OF SNOW IS NO OBSTACLE Ms Wang, who can deftly navigate beginner-friendly green runs, represents a growing cohort of ice-and-snow sports enthusiasts forging a new winter culture in southern China.