China’s State Council has unveiled an ambitious plan to elevate the country’s ice and snow economy to a staggering 1.5 trillion yuan ($208 billion) by 2030. This strategic push, encompassing winter sports, tourism, and equipment manufacturing, underscores the sector’s immense potential to drive economic growth in the world’s second-largest economy.
This comprehensive initiative highlights China’s long-term vision to become a global leader in winter sports and tourism while fostering an ecosystem that benefits numerous industries. With a robust policy framework and increasing consumer interest, the country is poised to reshape global trends in winter tourism and sports.
Winter Sports: Driving Growth and Participation
The origins of this plan can be traced back to China’s 2015 commitment to engage 300 million people in winter sports. The target was surpassed by 2021, even before the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, with 346 million participants recorded.
According to Yang Xuedong, Director of the Sports Economy Department of the General Administration of Sport, growing interest in winter sports among Chinese consumers is a pivotal factor in bolstering domestic demand and sustainable development. Inspiring the younger generation to embrace these activities is crucial for nurturing innovation and future growth.
To achieve this, China plans to integrate ice and snow sports into the physical education programs of middle and high schools. A national system of youth competitions will be introduced to cultivate skills and enthusiasm among children, ensuring that the sector has a sustainable and dynamic talent pipeline.
Strategic Regional Development
China’s northern provinces, including Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang, will play a pivotal role in the ice and snow economy. These regions possess ideal climatic conditions, abundant resources, and talented individuals, making them natural hubs for winter sports and tourism.
Experts such as Wang Yuxiong, Director of the China Center for Sport Industry Development Research, believe that transforming these provinces into global centers for winter activities could significantly enhance China’s reputation on the international stage.
Winter Tourism: A Rising Star
China’s winter tourism sector has witnessed extraordinary growth in recent years. According to the China Tourism Academy, during the 2023-2024 ice and snow season, the number of tourists increased by 38% year-on-year, reaching 430 million visitors and generating 524.7 billion yuan in revenue — a 60% increase from the previous year.
For the 2024-2025 season, the number of tourists is projected to reach 520 million, with revenues exceeding 630 billion yuan. This momentum is fueled by massive market demand, innovative product offerings, and government support.
Harbin: A Benchmark for Winter Tourism
Harbin, Heilongjiang Province’s capital, has emerged as a global winter travel destination. Its flagship attraction, the Harbin Ice-Snow World, saw over 1 million visitors within just 20 days of its opening in December 2024. This year, the park expanded to 1 million square meters in honor of the 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games, using over 300,000 cubic meters of ice and snow.
Harbin’s innovations extend beyond ice sculptures. Tourists enjoy a mix of cultural activities, such as lantern exhibitions, and practical services, like stay-warm gear rentals at airports and locker facilities at subway stations.
Challenges and Solutions
i. Addressing Overcrowding and Service Imbalances
Despite rapid growth, the sector faces challenges. Prominent destinations, such as those in Beijing and Hebei, struggle to meet surging consumer demand, leading to overcrowding, high prices, and subpar services, according to Zhang Jianping of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.
To address these issues, policymakers are focusing on improving infrastructure, enhancing service quality, and expanding ski resorts’ capacity.
ii. Overcoming Seasonality
The seasonal nature of the ice and snow economy presents another hurdle. To combat this, China is adopting strategies from global leaders like Whistler Blackcomb in Canada and the Highland Mountain Bike Park in the U.S., which attract visitors year-round through diversified offerings, including outdoor events and summer sports.
A Holistic Approach: From Manufacturing to Innovation
China’s ice and snow economy aims to align sports, tourism, equipment manufacturing, and cultural promotion into a cohesive ecosystem.
i. Winter Sports Equipment Manufacturing
China is investing in high-quality equipment manufacturing to meet the needs of both professional athletes and recreational enthusiasts. This sector will serve as the backbone of the broader industry, ensuring a seamless supply chain for domestic and international markets.
ii. Innovative Tourism Offerings
Beyond sports, China is expanding its winter tourism portfolio with innovative products like ice and snow concerts, health care retreats, and snow train experiences. These offerings blend traditional culture with modern technology, appealing to a wider audience.
Policy Support and Financial Incentives
To accelerate the growth of China’s ice and snow economy, the government has introduced targeted financial incentives designed to bolster investment in this emerging sector. These measures include improving access to credit for businesses involved in winter sports, tourism, and equipment manufacturing, as well as supporting qualified companies to pursue initial public offerings (IPOs).
Such initiatives aim to address the sector’s inherent challenges, such as its strong seasonality, limited market size compared to global counterparts, and long investment return cycles. Xu Hongcai, Deputy Director of the China Association of Policy Science’s economic policy committee, highlighted that these financial strategies are essential to making winter sports businesses more attractive to investors.
By reducing the financial burden and increasing access to funding, the government hopes to encourage innovation, expand operations, and scale up production to meet the surging demand. The long-term objective is to create a vibrant and sustainable ecosystem that integrates winter sports, tourism, and cultural elements, transforming China into a global leader in the ice and snow economy.
A Vision for the Future
The Chinese government is actively fostering the growth of its ice and snow economy through targeted financial incentives to attract investment in this promising sector. Key measures include enhanced credit access for businesses engaged in winter sports, tourism, and equipment manufacturing, alongside support for companies planning to launch initial public offerings (IPOs). These initiatives aim to tackle inherent challenges such as seasonal dependency, a relatively small domestic market compared to global counterparts, and extended investment return cycles.
Xu Hongcai, Deputy Director of the China Association of Policy Science’s economic policy committee, emphasizes that these policies are critical in making the sector more appealing to investors. By alleviating financial pressures and facilitating funding, the government intends to drive innovation and expand operational capacities to meet rising demand. This comprehensive strategy is designed to transform the winter sports industry into a robust and sustainable ecosystem that integrates recreation, culture, and tourism. The broader goal is to position China as a global leader in the ice and snow economy, ensuring the sector’s long-term viability and significant contribution to economic growth.
Conclusion
China’s ice and snow economy showcases a visionary approach to blending economic growth, cultural enrichment, and global outreach. With strong policy backing, strategic regional partnerships, and a cohesive industry vision, China is steadily carving its path as a global leader in winter sports. These efforts not only stimulate economic activity but also offer unique opportunities for cultural exchange and tourism. The focus on innovation and sustainability ensures the sector’s long-term growth and appeal.
As China continues to elevate its winter sports offerings, it promises extraordinary experiences for both domestic and international audiences, solidifying its status as a winter sports powerhouse.
