Games bring blizzard of opportunity to Chongli

Growing up in a remote village deep in the mountains of North China's Hebei province, Xie Ting always assumed that he would remain a poor farmer like his ancestors. It never occurred to him that the snow－and its associated sports－would bring him a new and better life.

Born in Huangtuzui village, in Chongli district in the city of Zhangjiakou, Xie recalls the heavy snow that would fall each year from November to April.

"The villagers would get upset when the snow came. We would be trapped at home, unable to leave throughout the winter," says the 35-year-old.