The Youth and Sports Department of the General Administration of Sport of China and the Chinese Ski Association jointly announced in Beijing on the 6th that the "World Snow Day and International Children's Skiing Festival" will take place simultaneously at 15 ski resorts nationwide on January 18. The event is designed to encourage children to participate in snow and ice sports, bolster Beijing (Zhangjiakou)’s bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics, and further expand the foundation for the development of winter sports in China.
"World Snow Day" is an event established by the International Ski Federation (FIS) to promote and popularize skiing among young people around the world. The initiative originated from the FIS's "Skiing for Kids" program in 2009, which was initially limited to member associations of the federation. In 2012, the event was renamed "World Snow Day," opened to children aged 4–14, and extended to countries and regions beyond FIS members. In 2015, the concept of the "International Children's Skiing Festival" was incorporated into World Snow Day. This year, the event will be held in 33 countries and regions including China, Canada, the United States, France, and Italy, with ski resorts worldwide joining in the celebration.
A total of 15 ski resorts in China are participating in the event, including three in Hebei, two in Heilongjiang, and one each in Beijing, Liaoning, Jilin, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Tianjin, Henan, Zhejiang, and Sichuan, covering a wide range of locations. The main venue for this year’s World Snow Day activities in China is the Yuyang International Ski Resort in Beijing. On the 11th, the Chinese Ski Association will hold a ski safety training session there to educate children about basic skiing knowledge.
The slogan of World Snow Day is "Explore, Have Fun, Experience." The event not only provides children with opportunities to experience skiing and expands the potential skiing population but also allows young people to challenge nature, themselves, and overcome fears, while helping them connect with the natural environment and develop environmental awareness.
Ren Hongguo, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Winter Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, said that this event is the last large-scale international snow and ice activity to be held in Beijing before the International Olympic Committee votes on the host city for the 2022 Winter Olympics. It embodies the spirit of "Supporting the Olympic Bid, Igniting Passion for Snow and Ice, and Building the Chinese Dream Together." The Winter Sports Management Center hopes to use this opportunity to shift away from the previous focus on competitive events and explore a sustainable path for snow and ice sports that engages the public and society.