BEIJING: Zhou Guangliang, a 28-year-old from Beijing, said his first experience at an indoor ski resort was novel and fun.
Despite the many ski resorts in and around Beijing, Zhou went to Wuhan, Hubei province, in January especially to visit Ganlushan International Ski Resort, the largest indoor ski resort in Central China and the third-largest in the nation.
The resort, backed by Wuhan Urban Construction Group, covers an area of about 60,000 square meters. It has quickly become a hot topic on social media since opening in November last year. “I want to feel the atmosphere of ice and snow sports in a southern Chinese city,” Zhou said, adding that it only took him about four hours to visit Wuhan on a high-speed train from the capital.
Zhou and his family spent four hours at the resort, spending roughly 500 yuan ($69) per person, including expenses for tickets, coaching and dining. Equipment such as helmets, snow coats and snowboards were provided for free with the ticket. “The facilities and equipment are complete and advanced. There are also good hotels and restaurants,” he added. Wuhan, one of China’s “four ovens” — cities known for their steamy summer temperatures -has seen its ice and snow industry prosper in recent years. Its fourth indoor ski resort opened on Nov 8, and about 100,000 people participate in ice and snow sports in the city annually, including non-residents.
Ganlushan International Ski Resort simulates outdoor skiing resorts by using snow-making machines, and ice sculptures are transported from external cold storage to the venue for construction, said Yu Hao, general manager of Wuhan Changjiang Culture and Tourism City Management Co, operator of the resort. The temperature remains at -6 C while opening to visitors 365 days a year from 10 am to 9 pm or 10 pm. The entire space is equipped with cold storage panels and multiple cold air machines, ensuring that the ice and snow remain frozen throughout the year, he said. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
