XI’AN: The first Shaanxi Provincial Winter Games concluded this week, marking a milestone for winter sports development in northwest China and signaling growing public interest in ice and snow activities across the province.
Held in Yulin between January and February 2026, the multi-discipline event featured 136 gold medals across seven youth sports categories. Organizers said the games aim to expand winter sports participation, cultivate athletic talent and stimulate Shaanxi’s emerging ice and snow economy.
The inaugural Shaanxi Provincial Winter Games made the province the fifth provincial-level region in mainland China to host its own winter sports event of this scale.
Expanding winter sports footprint
Although Shaanxi has not traditionally been associated with winter sports, provincial officials announced plans in early 2025 to launch a dedicated winter games platform. Yulin, located in northern Shaanxi and known for its cold winter temperatures, was selected as host city.
In addition to youth competitions, the event included mass participation categories such as skiing, speed skating and curling.
Shaanxi was also the only province in mainland China to stage all competition events within its own territory. Bobsleigh and luge competitions were held at a national snow sports training base in Ningshan County, Ankang. The facility, built during the 2018–19 winter season, has hosted training sessions for national-level athletes in bobsleigh, skeleton and luge.
Local sports officials said the games have strengthened grassroots training efforts. Yulin established a cross-country skiing team in 2018, and officials plan to expand recruitment among primary school students following the event.
Innovation in venue construction
Organizers highlighted an unconventional approach to venue preparation. Treated drainage water from local coal mines in Yulin’s Hengshan mining district was used to produce ice and snow for certain facilities.
According to local engineering officials, the treated water can also be used for industrial processes and irrigation. They noted that using mine drainage water reduces costs compared to commercial tap water, supporting water conservation efforts.
Ice-making specialists prepared the skating rink through a multi-stage process, including layering, marking and surface finishing. Following the games, the Yulin skating center is scheduled to remain open to the public at an affordable rate.
Economic and tourism impact
The games have also contributed to winter tourism growth. In nearby Shenmu, the Bilin Valley ski resort upgraded its facilities in cooperation with local authorities to host Alpine skiing and ski mountaineering competitions.
Resort operators reported more than 40,000 visitors since mid-December 2025. According to management, winter sports visitors generated revenue comparable to larger tourist numbers earlier in the year.
Educational institutions have also joined the development drive. Xi’an Siyuan University’s Taibai Sports Base, opened in 2024, is training students in winter sports management in partnership with established ski resorts.
Long-term development plans
Shaanxi sports bureau director You Lei said the province will continue promoting winter sports through high-level competitions and talent development systems. Officials also emphasized plans to expand the province’s ice and snow economy, integrating sports, tourism and education.
The conclusion of the Shaanxi Provincial Winter Games marks a new phase in the province’s efforts to build a sustainable winter sports ecosystem in a region not traditionally known for ice and snow activities.
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