China’s winter sports push heats up as experience economy gathers pace with indoor skiing
- China is actively promoting winter sports to spur domestic consumption, with indoor ski resorts in Shenzhen gaining popularity, including with Hong Kong residents
Average temperature reached record highs in China in July, but Shenzhen’s indoor ski resorts offered a stark contrast to the heat that had descended on China’s Southern tech hub, while also providing a boost to cooling consumption that is weighing on the national economy.
With sub-zero temperatures, artificial snow, glass igloos and customers bundled up in colourful ski gear, indoor skiing has emerged as a surprise hit in Shenzhen, with bookings via Chinese shopping platform Meituan almost tripling in July from the previous month, according to CCTV.
“In rapid urbanised cities like Shenzhen, due to the rising levels of disposable income, residents have a growing appetite for new experiences like skiing,” said Lu Baoying, senior industry analyst at Zhiyan Consulting Group.
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China is home to some of the world’s largest indoor ski facilities, with the largest the Wanda Snow Park in the northern Heilongjiang province covering an area equal to about nine football pitches.
