Ceremony SiteSina Sports News On November 25, the 7th Bird’s Nest Happy Ice and Snow Season, themed “Ice and Snow at the Bird’s Nest, Passion for the Winter Olympics,” officially kicked off at the National Stadium (Bird’s Nest). During this edition of the Ice and Snow Season, it is expected that over 100,000 visitors will learn to ski and skate at the Bird’s Nest.
On July 31 this year, at the IOC Session in Kuala Lumpur, Beijing successfully won the bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, becoming the world’s first city to have hosted both the Summer and Winter Games. As the iconic venue that hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of both the Beijing Olympics and the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics, the National Stadium (Bird’s Nest) has held six consecutive editions of the Happy Ice and Snow Season. This winter, the venue is further expanding its winter sports offerings, enhancing the Bird’s Nest Ice and Snow Season brand, and building an international-level winter sports event platform.
On December 4 and 5, the 2015 FIS Freeski World Cup (Air & Style) Beijing and live music concert will stage their fifth consecutive exciting event at the Bird’s Nest. Twenty-four of the world’s top snowboarders will compete, with spectacular sporting events, amazing musical performances, and grand celebration parties kicking off the Bird’s Nest’s winter activities. On December 19 and 20, the FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Cup – Aerials, featuring top freestyle skiers from around the globe, will also return to the Bird’s Nest. The performance of Chinese athletes is highly anticipated.
To fully meet visitors’ diverse needs for playing in the snow, skiing, and skating, this edition of the Ice and Snow Season has undergone a complete redesign and upgrade of the main venue’s snow play area, with a focus on increasing interactivity and fun. In addition, to welcome the arrival of the 2022 Winter Olympics, the main venue has specially set up an Olympic Winter Sports experience zone, offering simulated experiences for most Olympic winter sports, allowing visitors to enjoy a comprehensive introduction to these events in one place.
The joyful snow play area on the north side of the Bird’s Nest main stadium is a boundless sea of snow. Attach a sled rope and parents can take kids for a ride, or kids can pull their parents along, all having fun in the sled square. Grab a rugby ball and enjoy an intense American-style game with friends on the snowy field. During holidays, the snow play area also offers highly interactive and entertaining performances for on-site visitors, creating joyful family moments in the snowy wonderland. The northern ski slope and the southern plaza ice-skating area offer separate ticketing, allowing visitors to choose skiing or skating individually. With low prices and accessible entry barriers, more visitors can come to the Bird’s Nest to enjoy ice and snow.
The northern Bird’s Nest Ski Slope has been expanded in size and upgraded in facilities, featuring two professional beginner-to-intermediate ski runs and 10 super sledding lanes. To cater to different skiing enthusiasts, in addition to the 100-meter beginner slope suitable for novices, an intermediate slope has been added, stretching 120 meters in length, offering more excitement and enjoyment for experienced skiers. Each slope is equipped with a “magic carpet” on one side to help skiers get back uphill. Imported skis, boots, and poles are provided on-site, and ski jackets and gloves are available for rent. The 1,500-square-meter ice rink on the southern plaza of the Bird’s Nest offers a professional and comfortable environment for figure skating, ice hockey, speed skating, and free skating. Visitors can also stretch and glide joyfully on the ice. During the Ice and Snow Season, the Bird’s Nest will also invite Olympic champions and youth ice hockey teams to perform on the ice. In addition to skating, warm and cozy food and beverage services are available around the rink.
It is reported that the 7th Bird’s Nest Happy Ice and Snow Season will begin trial operations for the northern ski slope on December 17, 2015, with official opening on December 19. The main venue activities will officially open to the public on January 10, 2016, and continue until February 28. Regular weekday tickets for the main venue are 120 RMB, while weekend and holiday tickets are 160 RMB. Children under 1.2 meters enter free of charge. (Charlotte)