A new ski-themed museum has opened to the public in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region recently. It is located in Altay Prefecture, which boasts modern ski resorts and an ancient rock painting depicting skiing hunters.

Altay's historical legacy and favorable skiing conditions, and China's rapid growth in winter sports since the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics have accelerated the development of the region's snow-and-ice economy.

In the 2023-2024 snow season, Altay welcomed about 4.89 million tourist visits, with tourism revenue totaling 5.1 billion yuan (about 711.3 million U.S. dollars). It drove about half of the growth in both visits and revenue of Xinjiang's total.

This photo taken on Jan. 14, 2019 shows a rock painting depicting early humans skiing on fur-covered wooden skis while hunting with poles in Handgait township in Altay Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Ancient History and Modern Resources

About 40 kilometers away from the site of the museum, which opened on Jan. 16, an archaeological find showing the history of skiing was discovered in 2005: a rock painting in Handgait township, depicting early humans skiing on fur-covered wooden skis while hunting. The artwork, believed to be between 10,000 and 30,000 years old, is considered the earliest evidence of human skiing activity.

Situated at 45 to 47 degrees north latitude, Altay enjoys 170 to 180 days of snowfall annually, with snow depths reaching 1 meter on average and 2 meters in mountainous areas. The terrain is ideal for skiing due to vertical drops of over 1,000 meters.

"Skiing conditions here are absolutely world-class, with breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage," said Justin Downes, a Canadian with over 30 years of experience in the ski industry, who has worked for major North American ski resorts and participated in snow-related projects at the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Due to the winter sports fever brought by the Olympics, the region has invested 7 billion yuan in constructing six alpine ski resorts, two cross-country ski venues, and two backcountry ski zones. Infrastructure, such as roads, power supplies and accommodation, has also been upgraded to meet international standards.

Altay now plays a significant role in China's plans to boost its ice-and-snow economy as a new growth sector. The country targets an economic scale of 1.2 trillion yuan by 2027 and 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030, according to guidelines issued by the General Office of the State Council in November 2024.

Gathering Professional Games

Boasting a latitude akin to other world-class ski regions such as the Alps and the Rocky Mountains, Altay has drawn professionals and enthusiasts worldwide.

In December 2024, the Freeride World Tour (FWT), a prestigious international backcountry skiing competition, held a qualifying event at the Jikepulin resort in Altay. More than 50 athletes from various countries participated.

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 4, 2024 shows staff members work on the competition venue for the FWT (Freeride World Tour) qualifier at the Jikepulin International Ski Resort in Altay Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

"The venue arrangement, safety measures and emergency response capabilities, including a helicopter for medical evacuations, were impressive," said Benjamin Carmel, head of sports events of the FWT.

Altay has also launched regional initiatives, such as Winter Games Around the Altai Mountains, to foster cross-border collaboration. The just-concluded second edition of this event featured over 170 athletes and coaches from China, Kazakhstan and Mongolia, who competed in seven disciplines, including figure skating, snowboarding and cross-country skiing.

Kazakhstan's snowboarder Alissa Melnikova, 16, attended her first competition in China during the event. "The scenery here is stunning, and the facilities are excellent," she said, adding that the experience helped her connect with athletes from different countries, while also enjoying local culture and cuisine.

Going Global

Beyond competitions, Altay is forming partnerships with global ski-industry insiders to accelerate its development. French ski coach David Guigaz has been working with local ski instructors at the Jiangjunshan ski resort, sharing advanced techniques and preparing for the peak season.

"Altay has great potential to expand as a global ski destination," said Guigaz, now in his second season working in the region.

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 3, 2024 shows part of the Jikepulin International Ski Resort in Altay Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

So far, three major Altay ski resorts have already established partnerships with training institutions in France, Canada and Austria.

Global brands such as Burton and Descente have opened flagship stores in the area, signaling the growing commercial interest in Altay's burgeoning ski market.

The region's unique conditions also make it an ideal training ground for professional athletes. The Koktokay international ski resort, for instance, offers one of China's longest ski seasons, running from October to May. This has attracted not only domestic teams but also international ones, including ski squads from the Republic of Korea.