News Recap: According to Huashang Morning Post, on January 9, at the "Happy Snow World" ski resort in Dalian, Cao Yang (a pseudonym), a 20-year-old university student, skied out of the trail, collided with a nearby pole, and ultimately died despite rescue efforts.
"Skiing is fun, but safety is a major concern." Ms. Li, a resident of Shenyang, originally also wanted to take her family to enjoy the ski resort during the Spring Festival holiday, but after seeing the news, she began to hesitate.
To investigate whether the facilities and protective equipment at ski resorts in the province were adequate, reporters recently conducted undercover visits to several local ski resorts to uncover these "safety traps."
To investigate whether the facilities and protective equipment at ski resorts in the province were adequate, reporters recently conducted undercover visits to several local ski resorts to uncover these "safety traps."
Conveyor belt at Shenyang Qipanshan Ski Resort crowded with people
Note: "Safety traps" are everywhere
In most cities in the northeast, winter skiing, as a highly recreational sport, is loved by an increasing number of citizens, and the number of ski resorts in many cities is also rapidly growing. However, through investigations of multiple ski resorts in our province, reporters found that some small ski resorts have rudimentary hardware facilities, chaotic management, and very worrying safety issues. These resorts often attract visitors with low prices and mostly do not provide professional technical guidance. Many tourists with no skiing experience end up on the slopes without clear understanding, making accidents such as falls and collisions highly likely — the dangers are obvious.
Trap One: "Fake" Instructors
At Benxi Dongfenghu Ski Resort, reporters observed that there were two ski runs: one designed for professional skiers with only a few people skiing, and the other, a beginner slope, crowded with nearly a hundred visitors. Most were learning basic skills from instructors, but some daring beginners ventured down steeper slopes on their own at high speeds.
Due to the dense crowd, one man knocked down two tourists before falling heavily himself. Another visitor collided with a young boy, who started crying in fear. Just then, another skier came speeding down from the highest slope of the resort, almost grazing the boy before crashing to the side.
Reporters counted that in less than an hour, over 30 people had fallen, with 12 of them crashing straight down and getting tangled in the protective net along with their snowboards. Sometimes, before fallen skiers could get up, others would crash into them. Although the resort had instructors, many did not wear uniforms. One instructor told reporters he had only received 15 days of training before starting work — a true "crash course."
Besides these "crash-course instructors," there are also "all-round instructors" at ski resorts. Reporters encountered one such "all-rounder" at Dandong Wulong Golf Ski Resort.
At Dandong Wulong Golf Ski Resort, reporters saw two ski runs as well, but there were no basic protective nets along the sides — just rows of cornstalks surrounding the area, and the boundaries between the two slopes were also very vague.
Then, pretending to be a first-time skier, reporters hired an "expert instructor" at the resort. Through conversation, they learned that Dandong Wulong Golf Ski Resort functions as a golf club in summer and a ski resort in winter, and most instructors are villagers from nearby areas who work as instructors during off-seasons — as golf coaches in summer and ski instructors in winter.
When asked if they had any certifications, this "all-round instructor" frankly admitted he had none, and even half-jokingly said that most instructors at ski resorts in the northeast lack proper qualifications.
Due to the dense crowd, one man knocked down two tourists before falling heavily himself. Another visitor collided with a young boy, who started crying in fear. Just then, another skier came speeding down from the highest slope of the resort, almost grazing the boy before crashing to the side.
Reporters counted that in less than an hour, over 30 people had fallen, with 12 of them crashing straight down and getting tangled in the protective net along with their snowboards. Sometimes, before fallen skiers could get up, others would crash into them. Although the resort had instructors, many did not wear uniforms. One instructor told reporters he had only received 15 days of training before starting work — a true "crash course."
Besides these "crash-course instructors," there are also "all-round instructors" at ski resorts. Reporters encountered one such "all-rounder" at Dandong Wulong Golf Ski Resort.
At Dandong Wulong Golf Ski Resort, reporters saw two ski runs as well, but there were no basic protective nets along the sides — just rows of cornstalks surrounding the area, and the boundaries between the two slopes were also very vague.
Then, pretending to be a first-time skier, reporters hired an "expert instructor" at the resort. Through conversation, they learned that Dandong Wulong Golf Ski Resort functions as a golf club in summer and a ski resort in winter, and most instructors are villagers from nearby areas who work as instructors during off-seasons — as golf coaches in summer and ski instructors in winter.
When asked if they had any certifications, this "all-round instructor" frankly admitted he had none, and even half-jokingly said that most instructors at ski resorts in the northeast lack proper qualifications.
Trap Two: Too Many Visitors, Too Few Staff
At Benxi Dongfenghu Ski Resort, reporters noticed that apart from one cable car attendant, there was not a single staff member maintaining order at accident-prone areas. At the resort, a fallen girl struggled in the middle of the slope for five or six minutes without anyone coming to help. Many skiers crossed the runs, sat or lay down in the middle of the slope, and some even skied against the flow.
At the start points of some ski runs, reporters also didn’t see any dedicated staff effectively guiding those about to descend. A resort employee said that when it’s crowded, the close proximity of skiers both front-to-back and side-to-side makes collisions upon falling extremely dangerous.
At the tubing area, the entire cable tow had only one staff member responsible for attaching tubes to the cable. Once the tubes reached the slope, no one helped — visitors had to get up and detach the tubes themselves. Moving too slowly could cause the tube to get caught in the cable, making detachment very risky.
Apart from Benxi Dongfenghu Ski Resort, multiple ski resorts around Shenyang face similar issues.
Mr. Wang, a Shenyang resident, visited Qipanshan Ski Resort with his family full of excitement. After collecting their gear, first-time skier Mr. Wang faced a dilemma — how do you put on ski boots?
At the entrance of Qipanshan Ski Resort, reporters observed that tourists on guided tours usually received instructions on skiing precautions from their guides, but independent travelers had no staff to guide them. At the boot fitting area, only two staff members helped visitors with ski boots, while most figured it out on their own. A young woman in her twenties had barely taken two steps in her newly fitted boots before the buckle came undone, forcing her to return to her seat to figure it out again.
Inside the resort, there was also no staff managing the crowds. The conveyor belts on both sides of the beginner and intermediate slopes were packed with people. Without anyone explaining how to use the belts, it was common for skiers to fall flat on their faces as soon as one foot touched the belt, sometimes knocking over others. On the intermediate slope, many skiers hesitated to go down after reaching the top, gathering at the slope’s edge, while bolder ones charged straight down — some taking four or five tumbles before safely making it to the bottom.
Qipanshan Ski Resort in Shenyang is a large winter tourism destination that attracts countless visitors seeking relaxation, but the increase in visitors has led to a shortage of staff. Resort personnel also noted that when visitor numbers are particularly high, staff are often overwhelmed and may neglect to properly attend to guests.
The situation at Shenyang Northeast Asia Ski Resort is similar to Qipanshan’s, with no staff carefully explaining skiing precautions to each visitor. Most guests also gathered on gentle slopes, and collisions between skiers, as well as ski boards getting caught in safety nets, happened frequently without timely staff assistance.
At the start points of some ski runs, reporters also didn’t see any dedicated staff effectively guiding those about to descend. A resort employee said that when it’s crowded, the close proximity of skiers both front-to-back and side-to-side makes collisions upon falling extremely dangerous.
At the tubing area, the entire cable tow had only one staff member responsible for attaching tubes to the cable. Once the tubes reached the slope, no one helped — visitors had to get up and detach the tubes themselves. Moving too slowly could cause the tube to get caught in the cable, making detachment very risky.
Apart from Benxi Dongfenghu Ski Resort, multiple ski resorts around Shenyang face similar issues.
Mr. Wang, a Shenyang resident, visited Qipanshan Ski Resort with his family full of excitement. After collecting their gear, first-time skier Mr. Wang faced a dilemma — how do you put on ski boots?
At the entrance of Qipanshan Ski Resort, reporters observed that tourists on guided tours usually received instructions on skiing precautions from their guides, but independent travelers had no staff to guide them. At the boot fitting area, only two staff members helped visitors with ski boots, while most figured it out on their own. A young woman in her twenties had barely taken two steps in her newly fitted boots before the buckle came undone, forcing her to return to her seat to figure it out again.
Inside the resort, there was also no staff managing the crowds. The conveyor belts on both sides of the beginner and intermediate slopes were packed with people. Without anyone explaining how to use the belts, it was common for skiers to fall flat on their faces as soon as one foot touched the belt, sometimes knocking over others. On the intermediate slope, many skiers hesitated to go down after reaching the top, gathering at the slope’s edge, while bolder ones charged straight down — some taking four or five tumbles before safely making it to the bottom.
Qipanshan Ski Resort in Shenyang is a large winter tourism destination that attracts countless visitors seeking relaxation, but the increase in visitors has led to a shortage of staff. Resort personnel also noted that when visitor numbers are particularly high, staff are often overwhelmed and may neglect to properly attend to guests.
The situation at Shenyang Northeast Asia Ski Resort is similar to Qipanshan’s, with no staff carefully explaining skiing precautions to each visitor. Most guests also gathered on gentle slopes, and collisions between skiers, as well as ski boards getting caught in safety nets, happened frequently without timely staff assistance.
Risk: Skiing Is a High-Risk Sport
Reporters learned that some ski resorts in the province generally have few visitors on regular days, but numbers sharply spike during weekends, New Year’s Day, and the Spring Festival holiday, leading to a corresponding rise in skiing injuries. During visits to several hospitals in Shenyang, reporters found that the number of patients with skiing-related injuries noticeably increased during the holiday period, many due to safety hazards at ski resorts.
Take Shenyang Medical College Fentian Hospital as an example: during the Spring Festival alone, it treated over 20 patients injured from skiing collisions or falls. From the hospital’s Orthopedics Department, reporters learned that it admits skiing injury cases almost daily, with up to nearly 10 patients on peak days. Most cases involved soft tissue contusions, sprains, or ligament strains, while more severe cases included fractures. It is understood that most injuries resulted from falls or collisions with other skiers during skiing.
Industry insiders stated that skiing is a high-risk activity, and it's hard for skiers to avoid falling. Beginners are at even greater risk. Compared to experienced skiers who have full gear, beginners often have minimal protection — very few wear helmets or goggles. Additionally, beginners tend to stay near the edges of the slope, which is actually quite unsafe, as it's easy to fall and hit poles.
Outdated ski resort facilities, inadequate management, and various unpredictable factors can all easily lead to injuries among skiers. In addition, a significant number of injuries occur because skiers, lacking safety awareness, venture onto slopes beyond their skill level.
Take Shenyang Medical College Fentian Hospital as an example: during the Spring Festival alone, it treated over 20 patients injured from skiing collisions or falls. From the hospital’s Orthopedics Department, reporters learned that it admits skiing injury cases almost daily, with up to nearly 10 patients on peak days. Most cases involved soft tissue contusions, sprains, or ligament strains, while more severe cases included fractures. It is understood that most injuries resulted from falls or collisions with other skiers during skiing.
Industry insiders stated that skiing is a high-risk activity, and it's hard for skiers to avoid falling. Beginners are at even greater risk. Compared to experienced skiers who have full gear, beginners often have minimal protection — very few wear helmets or goggles. Additionally, beginners tend to stay near the edges of the slope, which is actually quite unsafe, as it's easy to fall and hit poles.
Outdated ski resort facilities, inadequate management, and various unpredictable factors can all easily lead to injuries among skiers. In addition, a significant number of injuries occur because skiers, lacking safety awareness, venture onto slopes beyond their skill level.
Reminder: How to Ski Safely
“In recent years, many city residents choose to go skiing happily with family and friends in winter, but some end up returning disappointed. Due to the cold weather in winter, many people engage in various snow sports without proper preparation or warm-up exercises. Without any pre-activity warm-up, their joint capsules, synovial membranes, ligaments, and muscles transition abruptly from a static state to an emergency response mode, often resulting in falls and injuries. Moreover, insufficient cold protection measures such as earmuffs and gloves can lead to frostbite on nerve endings in the hands, feet, and ears...” Dr. Han Zhuang, Associate Chief Physician and Associate Professor of Orthopedics at the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, told reporters that before skiing, it’s essential to do some warm-up exercises. These include mobilizing joints, stretching arms and lower back muscles, doing chest expansions, bending over to touch the ground with both hands, squatting in place, running, and jumping. A minimum of 10 minutes of warm-up is required.
Skiing is a highly thrilling sport, and most city residents are not very familiar with this recreational activity. As a result, issues such as falls and collisions are common during skiing. Aside from doing more warm-up exercises, how should one handle emergencies when they occur on the slopes?
Relevant staff from the Shenyang Municipal Bureau of Tourism stated that regarding ski safety, tourism authorities have repeatedly urged ski resorts to strengthen safety management and require resort staff to follow proper procedures. Warning signs and rescue personnel should be clearly placed on beginner slopes, and basic safety training should be provided to beginners before they hit the slopes. In addition to offering corresponding services to tourists, ski resort operators also have the obligation to ensure visitor safety. At the same time, relevant departments should enhance supervision over the development, operation, and management of ski resorts to ensure their safety.
How can skiers “hit the slopes safely”? Industry insiders suggest that first, when purchasing ski lift tickets at some ski resorts, skiers can also buy insurance. In case of an accident, the injured can claim a certain percentage of medical expenses based on the insurance type purchased. Additionally, skiers should not seek cheap options but choose well-equipped, legitimate ski resorts and hire qualified instructors. Second, skiers should avoid carrying hard objects such as keys, knives, or mobile phones on their person while skiing to prevent self-injury from falls. Before skiing, they should also check the safety of their ski equipment, including looking for any cracks, ensuring bindings are securely attached, and verifying that all accessories are in place. Most importantly, regardless of skill level, skiers should always wear a helmet during skiing, as even low-speed collisions or backward falls that involve hitting the head can cause serious head injuries.
In addition, skiers should enhance their own safety awareness. Especially for beginners, it’s crucial to choose slopes that match their skill level and try to avoid crowded areas. If skiers notice any abnormalities with their equipment or unclear trail conditions during skiing, they should stop first and assess the situation before proceeding. In the event of an accident, skiers should not attempt to provide aid blindly but should immediately contact professional rescue personnel at the ski resort.
Skiing is a highly thrilling sport, and most city residents are not very familiar with this recreational activity. As a result, issues such as falls and collisions are common during skiing. Aside from doing more warm-up exercises, how should one handle emergencies when they occur on the slopes?
Relevant staff from the Shenyang Municipal Bureau of Tourism stated that regarding ski safety, tourism authorities have repeatedly urged ski resorts to strengthen safety management and require resort staff to follow proper procedures. Warning signs and rescue personnel should be clearly placed on beginner slopes, and basic safety training should be provided to beginners before they hit the slopes. In addition to offering corresponding services to tourists, ski resort operators also have the obligation to ensure visitor safety. At the same time, relevant departments should enhance supervision over the development, operation, and management of ski resorts to ensure their safety.
How can skiers “hit the slopes safely”? Industry insiders suggest that first, when purchasing ski lift tickets at some ski resorts, skiers can also buy insurance. In case of an accident, the injured can claim a certain percentage of medical expenses based on the insurance type purchased. Additionally, skiers should not seek cheap options but choose well-equipped, legitimate ski resorts and hire qualified instructors. Second, skiers should avoid carrying hard objects such as keys, knives, or mobile phones on their person while skiing to prevent self-injury from falls. Before skiing, they should also check the safety of their ski equipment, including looking for any cracks, ensuring bindings are securely attached, and verifying that all accessories are in place. Most importantly, regardless of skill level, skiers should always wear a helmet during skiing, as even low-speed collisions or backward falls that involve hitting the head can cause serious head injuries.
In addition, skiers should enhance their own safety awareness. Especially for beginners, it’s crucial to choose slopes that match their skill level and try to avoid crowded areas. If skiers notice any abnormalities with their equipment or unclear trail conditions during skiing, they should stop first and assess the situation before proceeding. In the event of an accident, skiers should not attempt to provide aid blindly but should immediately contact professional rescue personnel at the ski resort.