Move over, hotpot—skiing is the new winter obsession for young people across the Chinese mainland! ❄️ With frosty temperatures setting in, Gen Z and millennials are swapping Netflix binges for slope sessions, driving record sales of ski passes, gear rentals, and Instagram-worthy snow outfits. CGTN’s Wang Tianyu reports from a bustling Beijing ski resort where queues for chairlifts rival those at bubble tea shops. 🏂
From Niche Hobby to Mainstream Movement
Once seen as a luxury sport, skiing is now going viral among urban youth. Social media trends like #SkiTok and budget-friendly resort packages have made the activity accessible. 'My friends and I come every weekend—it’s like our winter gym,' says 24-year-old Zhang Li, snapping selfies in a pastel-colored ski suit. Retailers say sales of gloves, goggles, and thermal wear have tripled since November. 💸
Economic Chill? Not Here!
Analysts credit China’s post-Olympic winter sports push and growing disposable incomes for the boom. Resorts are even partnering with tech platforms for live-streamed tutorials and VR slope previews. As one resort manager puts it: 'Young skiers aren’t just buying tickets—they’re buying into a lifestyle.' 🌨️ Will this trend melt away? For now, it’s all downhill from here!
