Central China's largest indoor ski resort is set to open later this month in Wuhan, aiming to meet the growing demand for winter sports, which has boosted tourism in the region.
The ski resort, "Ganlushan Snow World," is located in Wuhan's Huangpi District, known as the birthplace of Hua Mulan, the legendary Chinese heroine from the 4th century and protagonist of Disney's 1998 animated film Mulan.
The exterior of the ski resort resembles a giant slide with a vertical drop of 73 meters. Covering an indoor area of 60,000 square meters, the facility includes six ski slopes ranging from 110 to 260 meters in length and can accommodate up to 2,500 people simultaneously, according to local authorities.
The ski resort is part of a larger ice and snow theme park, Wuhan Ganlushan Cultural and Creative Town, which opened on Tuesday. Situated on the bank of the Sheshui River, a tributary of the Yangtze, the theme park was developed by Wuhan Urban Construction Group and Sunac China Holdings Limited with a total investment of 70 billion yuan (approximately 9.95 billion U.S. dollars).
In addition to the ski resort, the park features an ice and snow-themed mall, an amusement park, a Song Dynasty-style water town, and a hotel cluster.
"Several times, I went skiing in the north, including in Zhangjiakou, where the 2022 Winter Olympics were held. But I have an itch for skiing so often I will definitely come here to try the new slopes," said Wuhan native Zhu Yongxiang, who took up the sport eight years ago.
Zhu expressed excitement about the growing number of ski resorts in Wuhan, making it easier for his family and friends to enjoy skiing.
"Just think how hot it can get in summer in this furnace-like city," said He Zhaoxia, a sales associate at a ski equipment store in the theme park. She added that the resort is likely to attract many visitors, as it offers a refreshing escape from the intense summer heat. "Skiers would flock to good facilities."
In recent years, both before and after the 2022 Winter Olympics, there has been a sustained passion for winter sports across China, from the snowy north to the warmer southern regions. Wuhan, a city of around 13 million people, has seen an increase in the number of ice and snow sports venues.
According to the Wuhan Ice and Snow Sports Association, the city currently has ten ice skating rinks, and four ski resorts are either completed or under construction, contributing to a rapid rise in participation in winter sports.