In the era of the ice and snow economy, skiing has entered a golden age of international popularity.

Amazon China’s International Skiing Pavilion has been fully upgraded, with over 10,000 trendy new products to boost 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 along, letting loose in a world of white, pouring out passion and sweat, and immersing yourself in nature is definitely the most fashionable way to relax and unwind. The Blue Book of Ice and Snow: China’s Winter Olympics Development Report (2017) points out that China currently has 15.1 million ski visits annually, with an average of 1.33 ski outings per person. It is projected that by the 2022 Winter Olympics, China’s ski visits will reach 45 million. Along with the booming development of skiing, besides the surge in participants, two clear trends have emerged: first, ski-themed resort experiences are gaining popularity—skiing is not just a sport but also a way for families to enjoy nature’s gifts and fully relax; second, consumption is becoming more specialized. More and more skiing enthusiasts are keen to share their experiences and trust safe, reliable international brands and expert recommendations when choosing ski resorts, techniques, and gear. Sales data from Amazon China directly reflect these trends, with ski product sales nearly doubling year-on-year over the past three winter seasons. The three fastest-growing categories are goggles, helmets, and protective gear, with protective gear sales growing by more than sevenfold. Moreover, all ski gear sales come from international brands, with more professional global names 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 quickly level up your skiing skills, then it’s worth learning how to make the most of the golden age of mass skiing.

No need to worry about getting started with skiing — choose your path to advancement based on style and genre.

For beginners, snowboarding with both feet, similar to walking, is generally faster to pick up than skiing on a single board. From both the perspective of the general skiing public and the categorization by ski brands, snowboarding is divided into three types: alpine (carving), freestyle, and backcountry. Most newcomers usually start with carving boards (the most common type rented at ski resorts), also known as piste boards. As your skill level improves and your understanding of the skiing world deepens, you’ll naturally advance into new areas. Typically, there are three paths to choose from: continuing to focus on piste riding with harder, heavier carving boards for speed; being drawn to the street style and freestyle scene to explore parks and features; or being lured by the wilderness and powder snow to venture into the backcountry.

Compared to piste skiing, freestyle and backcountry skiing carry higher risks and greater difficulty. Freestyle often involves jumps, requiring mastery of both regular and switch ollies as well as various spins. Backcountry skiing techniques also differ somewhat from piste techniques, as skiers must skillfully manage their balance across varied terrain with different snow densities, depths, and obstacles. As for snowboarding, it can be roughly categorized similarly to skiing: piste, park, and backcountry. The progression is also alike, starting with a piste board to learn basic techniques before figuring out your preferences and passions.

Discover international trendy brands, and shop for gear through a one-stop professional platform.

Choosing the right skiing equipment is the first step for every skiing enthusiast. Take ski boards, for example—the specifications vary greatly by type: freestyle carving boards are generally softer and lighter than alpine ones, facilitating jumps, but protective gear must cover you from head to toe. Backcountry boards are typically wider to provide better floatation on powder snow, and backcountry skiing is akin to outdoor adventure, usually requiring essential winter gear such as down jackets, survival blankets, walkie-talkies, energy foods, and even rescue equipment. Additionally, skiwear should be loose-fitting, warm, windproof, waterproof, and breathable. For products meeting these criteria, it’s best to choose professional items rated above 10,000mm. Protective gear like goggles and helmets should also be from well-known professional brands. Goggles must offer UV protection and ideally fit seamlessly with your helmet. Headgear must meet international safety standards to ensure both comfort and protection.

Furthermore, professional shopping platforms that combine quality, service, and a wide selection allow skiing enthusiasts to easily purchase safe and comfortable gear, fully enjoying their time on the slopes without worry. As the first domestic e-commerce platform to launch a one-stop professional skiing pavilion, Amazon China announced a major upgrade to its International Skiing Pavilion (Z.cn/ski) on the occasion of its first anniversary. The total number of products has exceeded 26,000. Leveraging Amazon’s global supplier resources and through its self-operated and overseas shopping 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 additions such as ski bag accessories, skiwear accessories, and protective gear. The platform hosts over 650 brands, not only featuring exclusive international extreme sports brands like Bern, U.S.-based protective gear specialist Demon, the 55-year-old goggle pioneer Smith, top U.S. outdoor apparel maker 686, Japanese snowboard manufacturer Flux Bindings, leading ski helmet brands POC and Reusch, but also new self-operated brands like world-leading snowboard brand Burton, French outdoor giant Millet, and Finnish premium ski brand Halti. There are also newly introduced international brands via overseas shopping, such as U.S.-based professional snowboard boot brand ThirtyTwo, century-old French ski brand Rossignol, iconic U.S. extreme sports brand DC, and high-quality global snowboard brand Nitro.