Amazon’s International Ski Shop Has Been Upgraded — Over 10,000 Trendy Brands and New Products Support This Winter’s Ice and Snow Season
With the 2018 Winter Olympics approaching, skiing is undoubtedly the coolest sport this winter. Whether you’re gathering with friends or bringing family and kids, unleashing passion and sweat in the white world and immersing yourself in nature is absolutely the most fashionable way to relax and unwind. The "Ice and Snow Blue Book: Report on the Development of China's Winter Olympics (2017)" points out that China currently has 15.1 million ski visits per year, with an average of 1.33 ski trips per person. It is estimated that by the time the 2022 Winter Olympics are held, China's ski visits will reach 45 million. Along with the vigorous development of skiing, in addition to the surge in the number of skiers, there are two clear trends: first, ski-themed resort models are gaining popularity — skiing is not just a sport, but also a travel activity that allows the whole family to enjoy the gifts of nature and fully relax. Second, consumption is becoming more specialized — more and more skiing enthusiasts are willing to share their experiences and trust safe and reliable international brands and recommendations from professionals when choosing ski resorts, techniques, and equipment. Sales data from Amazon China directly confirms these trends. In the past three winter sports seasons, sales of its skiing products have maintained growth at approximately double the rate, with the fastest-growing categories being ski goggles, helmets, and protective gear, especially protective gear, which saw sales growth of over 7 times. Moreover, all sales of skiing products come from international brands, with more professional global brands being highly sought after by Chinese consumers. If you want to start a wonderful romance with the snowy mountains this winter, join the trendy sport of skiing, or improve your skiing skills more quickly, then you might want to learn how to make the most of the golden age of mass skiing.
No Need to Worry About Skiing Basics — Choosing Your Entry Path Based on Style and School
For beginners, snowboarding — which is more similar to walking with both feet — is generally faster to pick up than skiing on two skis. From both the perspective of the general skiing public and the definitions of ski brands, snowboarding is divided into three types: alpine (carving), freestyle, and backcountry. Newcomers usually start with carving boards (the most common type of snowboard rented at ski resorts), also known as piste boards. As skiing skills improve and one’s understanding of the snowboarding world deepens, riders will inevitably advance into new territories. Generally, there are three paths to choose from: continuing to focus on piste riding and practicing speed using harder and heavier carving boards; or being drawn to the street style and freestyle by heading to parks and using features; or being attracted to remote wilderness or powder snow and entering the world of backcountry.
Compared to piste skiing, freestyle and backcountry skiing carry greater risks and difficulty. Freestyle often involves jumps and requires mastering both regular and switch ollies as well as various rotational moves. Backcountry riding techniques are also somewhat different from piste techniques, as they require skiers to skillfully control their center of gravity across areas with varying softness, hardness, depth, and obstacles. As for snowboarding, it can also be roughly divided into three categories like skiing: piste, park, and backcountry. The progression is similar — starting with a piste board to learn basic techniques, then figuring out your preferences and choosing what resonates with you.
Bringing Together International Trendy Brands — Choose All-in-One Professional Platforms for Equipment Shopping
How to choose the right skiing equipment has become the first step for every skiing enthusiast. For example, ski boards vary greatly in parameters depending on the type: freestyle boards are generally softer and lighter than alpine boots, making them easier for jumps, but protective gear must cover you head to toe. Backcountry boards are usually wider to provide greater floatation on powder snow, and backcountry skiing is akin to outdoor adventure, generally requiring essential winter outdoor gear such as down jackets, survival blankets, walkie-talkies, energy foods, and even rescue equipment. In addition, skiwear needs to be loose-fitting, warm, windproof, waterproof, and breathable. Products that meet these criteria are best chosen from professional items rated above 10,000mm. Protective gear such as goggles and helmets should also prioritize well-known professional brands. Goggles should offer UV protection and ideally be seamlessly compatible with your helmet. Headgear must meet international safety standards to ensure both comfort and safety.
In addition, professional shopping platforms that combine quality, service, and a wide selection allow skiing enthusiasts to conveniently purchase safe and comfortable skiing equipment, fully enjoying their time on the slopes without worry. As the first domestic e-commerce platform to launch an all-in-one professional ski shop, Amazon China announced a major upgrade on the first anniversary of its International Ski Shop (Z.cn/ski), with the total number of products exceeding 26,000. Leveraging Amazon’s global supplier resources and through its own and overseas purchasing channels, the platform now covers 11 major categories including helmets, goggles, skiwear, ski bags, snowboard gear, alpine gear, gear maintenance, and digital products. These include many new categories such as ski bag accessories, skiwear accessories, and ski protective gear. There are over 650 brands in total, including exclusive international extreme sports brands such as Bern, the American protective gear brand Demon, the 55-year-old goggle pioneer Smith, the top U.S. outdoor clothing manufacturer 686, Japanese snowboard manufacturer Flux Bindings, the leading ski helmet brands POC and Reusch, as well as newly added self-operated ski brands such as the world’s leading snowboard brand Burton, the French outdoor gear leader Millet, and the high-end Finnish ski brand Halti. There are also newly introduced international brands such as the American professional snowboard boot brand ThirtyTwo, the century-old French ski brand Rossignol, the representative American extreme sports brand DC, and the world-renowned high-quality snowboard brand Nitro.
1. BurtonBurton Men’sRadialSkiwear; 2. HALTIMen’sRuhteSkiwear; 3. HALTIMen’sLegendaSki Pants; 4. BurtonBurton Men’sReserve BibSki Pants; 5. SMITHSmithH18Ski Goggles; 6. BurtonBurton Ski Bag; 7&8. UVEXUVEX All-Terrain Series Unisex Ski Helmet; 9. SMITHSmithH18Kids’ Ski Goggles&Helmet Set
What’s more, the Amazon International Ski Shop has recently teamed up with China’s renowned integrated ski resort, Thaiwoo Ski Resort, to launch special discount packages, offering skiers a comprehensive experience from online to offline. Customers who purchase over 1,000 RMB worth of self-operated skiing gear on Amazon China can enjoy discounted weekend ski and hotel packages for one person (two days and two nights), as well as an 20% discount on coaching courses at the Thaiwoo International Sports School. Additionally, from now until December 31, the Amazon International Ski Shop is also offering a “20% off for one item, 30% off for two items” promotion on all skiing equipment. Featured items include Burton skiwear and ski boots, Electric ski goggles, HALTI skiwear, Salomon warm hats, Smith ski helmets, and UVEX kids’ ski goggles. On December 6, several popular skiing equipment items will also be part of the “Flagship Product” promotional event. Visit Z.cn/ski for details.
Recommended Domestic Ski Resorts — Learn About Capacity, Slopes, and Facilities in Advance
No matter what equipment you choose, ultimately it all comes down to practice. For skiing beginners or those just getting started, choosing a suitable ski resort is particularly important. The capacity of the resort, the difficulty of its slopes, and the quality of its supporting facilities all determine the final experience. Amid the “ice and snow fever” sweeping the nation, numerous excellent ski resorts have emerged across the country in recent years. Here are four top ski destinations for your reference.
? Beijing Metropolitan Area (e.g., Nanshan Ski Resort): Nanshan Ski Resort is a rare winter resort in Beijing and North China that combines skiing and tubing and other dynamic leisure sports. It can host world-class park competitions, and the 40-degree backcountry extreme slope is a true test of skiing skill and courage.
? Beijing Surrounding Areas (e.g., Thaiwoo Ski Resort): Thaiwoo Ski Resort receives the highest snowfall in the Chongli area, with a long snow-retention period and a ski season that can last up to 150 days. Covering a total area of 400 hectares, it has plans for 200 ski runs, 45 lifts, and 21 magic carpets. Thaiwoo Town has plans for six different star-rated hotels, including the 5-star Hyatt Hotel and the 4-star Westin Source Hotel.
? Northeast China (e.g. Yabuli Ski Resort): Yabuli is one of the first large-scale ski resorts in China. It has hosted the Asian Winter Games and boasts extensive experience in major competitions as well as advanced and well-equipped facilities within the resort.
? Xinjiang region (e.g. Silk Road Ski Resort): Many people may not know that “China’s best snow” can be found in Xinjiang. Hemu Village in Kanas receives over ten meters of snowfall annually, making it arguably China’s top destination for backcountry skiing.