BEIJING, March 17 — Lianhuashan’s slopes have been kept snow-covered by ageing European snow cannons for more than 20 years, but the Beijing resort added its first Chinese...
China’s snow-related equipment sales have surged almost fourfold since 2015, but interest has levelled off since the Beijing Winter Olympic Games in 2022 and a post-Covid boom. — AFP picand enjoy FREE RM10 & when you sign up using code VERSAMM10 with min.
cash of RM100 today! T&Cs apply.BEIJING, March 17 — Lianhuashan’s slopes have been kept snow-covered by ageing European snow cannons for more than 20 years, but the Beijing resort added its first Chinese snowmaker this ski season. The snow gun, made by Beijing-based Carving Ski, costs about a third less than Western brands such as Italian giant TechnoAlpin, Carving resort manager Tang Lingling told AFP on a crisp February morning at the bottom of the slopes. “By producing and assembling locally, we avoid the high costs of overseas production and shipping,” said Tang, whose company sold around 200 snow machines last year.“The truth is, the profit margin for our snow machine business isn’t high.” However, Chinese winter sports firms are slowly chipping away at foreign dominance in the 84.6 billion yuan snow equipment market despite such ferocious price competition. They aim to replace foreign brands at home before conquering overseas markets by investing in research and making use of China’s formidable supply chains.An employee checks a snowboard at Lidakis's warehouse in Zhangjiakou, in China's northern Hebei province on March 12, 2026. — AFP pic China’s snow-related equipment sales have surged almost fourfold since 2015, but interest has levelled off since the Beijing Winter Olympic Games in 2022 and a post-Covid boom.“Since 2007, the price of raw materials has at least doubled... but we haven’t raised our prices,” said Jin Huiyuan, founder of snowboard brand Lidakis. Her company targets beginners and children with social media-friendly, ultralight boards with detachable dolls that she sells for around 2,000 yuan each. They sold around 20,000 boards last year out of their frigid warehouse in Zhangjiakou, close to the slopes used for the 2022 Winter Games. “Big foreign brands are high-end brands, which are bought by the rich; ours is for the masses. So, on this point, I think we are competitive with them, since not every consumer has lots of money,” Jin said.The ski rental warehouse of the Lianhuashan Ski Resort on the outskirts of Beijing. China's snow-related equipment sales have surged almost fourfold since 2015, but interest has levelled off since the Beijing Winter Olympic Games in 2022 and a post-Covid boom. — AFP pic The government has heavily supported this “ice and snow economy”, with President Xi Jinping’s goal of 300 million winter sports participants surpassed by 2022.Still, foreign brands dominate the high-end market. Domestic skis and boards “haven’t reached the level” of international competitors, according to Li Zhibo, general manager of ski firm Qianmao Xuelong. “Some are century-old companies; we can’t overtake that kind of history and technical accumulation overnight.” Qianmao mostly sells entry-level ski boots and bindings, but has pivoted to high-end equipment and supplied skis to China’s Aerials team for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in February. However, eventual women’s Aerials champion Xu Mengtao opted for the Swiss brand Oxess during the competition. Likewise, superstars Su Yiming and Eileen Gu secured gold using boards from US brand Burton and skis by Switzerland’s Faction, highlighting the gap between Chinese brands and foreign competitors.Visitors at Lianhuashan Ski Resort on the outskirts of Beijing on February 16, 2026.— AFP picLidakis has sold to Kazakhstan, South Korea and Iran, while Carving has exported to Russia, filling the void left by European firms locked out by EU export restrictions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.Tang Lingling is optimistic about the transition from imports to local manufacturing. “In many ski resorts, you will see a lot of European snow machines at first. Gradually, are beginning to choose to try Chinese snow-making machines,” she said.
Beijing Carving Ski Snow Equipment Market 2022 Winter Games Chinese Winter Sports Xi Jinping
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Driving test fees in Singapore to rise from March 13, first increase since 2016SINGAPORE, March 15 – Fees for driving, riding, and theory tests in Singapore will increase starting from Friday (March 13), marking the first revision of these charges since...
Read more »
Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Kelantan Expands, Set for Full Operation on March 16thThe expansion of Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (KBR) in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, is complete and will be fully operational starting March 16th, increasing passenger capacity and improving facilities.
Read more »
Egg prices in Thailand to rise 6 baht per tray from Monday (March 16)KUALA NERUS: Two male divers who were earlier feared missing during a dive at Pasir Akar Marine Park, Pulau Redang, were found safe on Saturday (March 14) night.
Read more »
Kelantan Declares March 19th Public Holiday for Hari Raya PreparationsThe Kelantan government has declared March 19th as a public holiday to allow residents to prepare for Hari Raya Aidilfitri and ease traffic congestion, according to Menteri Besar Nassuruddin Daud. This decision aligns with the earlier announcement by the Prime Minister regarding potential additional holidays depending on the Aidilfitri date.
Read more »
China in contact with US on summit, Rubio sanctions may not apply, Beijing saysDon't be that older person who grumbles about 'young people today...'. While we all inhabit the same world, we all have different experiences of it after all.
Read more »
Olympics-LA28 ticket registration nears deadline as first Olympic qualifiers emergeHAVANA, March 16 (Reuters) - Cuba's national electric grid collapsed on Monday, the country's grid operator said, leaving around 10 million people without power amid a U.S.-imposed oil blockade that has crippled the island's already obsolete generation system.
Read more »