Xinhua News Agency, Xi’an, Feb. 14 (Reporter Zheng Xin) — Shaanxi Province’s first skiing competition was held on the morning of Feb. 14 in Liuba County, Hanzhong City. Approximately 1,000 professional athletes and outdoor enthusiasts gathered to show their passion on the slopes of Zibai Mountain International Ski Resort, supporting Beijing and Zhangjiakou’s joint bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics.
The event featured professional competitions in slalom and giant slalom for both snowboarding and alpine skiing. It attracted top skiers from Shaanxi, Liaoning, and Heilongjiang, as well as participants from Belgium and Germany. At the competition site, athletes representing 32 teams raced at high speeds or performed stylish jumps and turns on international-standard slopes, delighting the spectators.
In addition, to meet the recreational needs of skiing enthusiasts, the event also included fun and competitive snow activities such as snow discus throwing. Participants could compete individually or as families. Snowball fights and tug-of-war on the snow brought out the childlike joy in many adult participants, filling the snowy landscape with laughter. As the event coincided with Valentine’s Day in the West, many couples and lovers joined in, adding a romantic touch to the atmosphere.
“The hosting of this skiing competition combines professional competition with public recreation, marking a step toward the marketization and branding of winter sports in Shaanxi,” said Dong Li, Deputy Director of the Shaanxi Provincial Sports Bureau. With the growing popularity of winter sports like skiing and the improvement of living standards, more and more people are taking up snow sports, which has also helped raise the overall skill level of skiers in the province.
“This is my first time skiing — I couldn’t even walk properly on the ski boots,” said Qu Lanxin, a fifth-grade student who competed in the family category. “Real men face their fears. Once I learned how to glide and stop, I hit the slopes. I hope to become a great skier one day and watch the 2022 Winter Olympics in person.”
In between skiing events, participants also took time to visit the uniquely local “Liuhou Old Market,” experiencing traditional folk culture including antique market shopping, mountain produce browsing, and paying tribute to the legendary figure Zhang Liang.
As one of the largest and most fully equipped ski resorts in Shaanxi Province, the Zibai Mountain International Ski Resort in Liuba currently covers an area of 300 acres, with a snow-making area of 60,000 square meters and a capacity to accommodate 4,000 to 6,000 people at once. It is expected that after the completion of all three phases of construction, the resort will be able to host professional ski instruction and training as well as national and international competitive events.