China's Ice and Snow Economy Achieves Trillion-RMB Milestone, Signaling Robust Growth
In a landmark development for the global winter sports landscape, China's ice and snow industry has officially reached an estimated scale of 1.0053 trillion yuan (approximately $140 billion) in 2025. This significant milestone was revealed in the recently published "China Ice and Snow Industry Development Research Report (2025)," unveiled at the main forum of the World Winter Sports Expo (WWSE). The report underscores the sector's emergence as a formidable new growth pole in China's overall economic development, transitioning from a "cold resource" to a "hot economy".
The achievement is a testament to China's ambitious "300 million people to participate in winter sports" initiative, a target that was successfully met even before the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. This broad participation has cultivated a vast consumer base, now extending beyond early enthusiasts to include families and older adults, thereby fueling a robust demand for ice and snow-related products and services. The 2024-2025 ice and snow season alone saw resident participation in ice and snow sports and related consumption exceed 187.5 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of over 25%.
Driving Forces Behind the Economic Surge
The burgeoning ice and snow economy is propelled by a multi-faceted approach, integrating sports, tourism, equipment manufacturing, and technological innovation. Experts highlight that a full industrial chain has been established, encompassing everything from equipment production and event operation to skill training, tourism, and leisure activities.
Technological Innovation and Smart Manufacturing
Technology plays a pivotal role in this expansion. The "China Ice and Snow Industry Development Research Report (2025)" indicates that China's ice and snow equipment manufacturing is rapidly advancing from traditional "manufacturing" to "intelligent manufacturing," embracing trends of intelligence, high-end production, and green practices. New technologies such as 5G, AI, and VR are driving the high-quality development of snow and ice equipment, enhancing both performance and user experience. Domestic brands are gaining international recognition for their cost-effectiveness and innovative designs, with product lines covering 15 major categories of ice and snow equipment and materials. The sales of ski apparel and ice skating apparel, for instance, saw a 34% increase this year on e-commerce platforms.
Expanding Tourism and "Four Seasons Operation"
The tourism sector is another significant contributor. The "South expansion, West expansion, East entry" strategy has led to a remarkable increase in winter sports venues, from just over 700 nationwide in 2015 to 2,847 by the end of last year. Indoor ski resorts are particularly instrumental in breaking climate barriers, allowing southern provinces like Zhejiang and Guangdong to experience a significant increase in facilities. Destinations like Chongli are actively exploring "four seasons operation" models, incorporating summer activities such as cross-country races, music festivals, and camping to maximize asset utilization and industry resilience. The successful utilization of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics' legacy has also significantly contributed to the development of global winter sports, attracting more international visitors and fostering cooperation.
Policy Support and Future Outlook
Government policies have been instrumental in fostering this growth. The State Council recently issued comprehensive guidelines aimed at boosting the vitality of the ice and snow economy, setting ambitious targets: a total scale of 1.2 trillion yuan by 2027 and 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030. These plans prioritize winter sports, tourism, and equipment manufacturing as key economic drivers, while also emphasizing the development of national youth teams and fostering a vibrant winter sports culture.
"The winter season is coming, and local governments are eager to seize the opportunity," said Fu Baosen, a professor at Shenyang Sport University.
Despite the impressive growth, challenges remain. Industry experts point to the need for a shift from rapid growth towards high-quality development, addressing issues such as upgrading facilities, improving international competitiveness of domestic brands, tackling core technologies in the equipment sector, and addressing regional imbalances. However, the overall sentiment is one of optimism, with the ice and snow economy poised for continued expansion and transformation, contributing significantly to China's high-quality economic development and enhancing the well-being of its citizens. The synergy between policy, innovation, and enthusiastic public participation ensures a bright future for China's burgeoning ice and snow industry.
