Chinese tech revolutionizing winter sports

As China prepares to establish itself as a global winter sports powerhouse in the coming years, the country is harnessing the power of cutting-edge technologies to redefine the very experience of ice and snow-based activities, officials and industry insiders said.

Gone are the days of relying solely on natural snowfall and traditional equipment — China's snow and ice economy is being transformed by a wave of innovative, tech-driven solutions that are captivating both professional athletes and recreational enthusiasts alike, they added.

Take, for instance, virtual reality ski simulators that allow users to immerse themselves in a realistic, snow-covered slope without ever leaving the comfort of their homes, said Hao Lishun, an official with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

But the technological innovations go far beyond just simulated experiences. China's winter sports enthusiasts can now don smart, heated snow boots that incorporate flexible batteries and heating elements to provide warmth for up to 5 hours in sub-zero temperatures, Hao said.

Meanwhile, innovative ski boot insoles can collect real-time data on wearers' movements, pressure points and acceleration, giving athletes and trainers insights to optimize their performance, Hao added.

These smart winter gear solutions are making sports more comfortable, accessible and data-driven than ever before.

The number of Chinese enterprises operating in the winter sports equipment manufacturing sector has grown from around 300 in 2015 to some 900 as of the end of last year, data from the ministry showed. During the same period, the industry's total sales revenue has skyrocketed from less than 5 billion yuan ($693 million) to about 22 billion yuan.

In Chongli district of Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, the Wanlong ski resort is operating a homegrown, high-performance snow grooming vehicle developed by Hebei Xuangong Machinery Development Co.

As the 8.3-meter-long and 2.9-meter-high machine scales 45-degree inclines, it smooths the snow-covered slopes, leaving behind a pristine, even surface for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy, said Wen Xiaoxuan, chief designer of the vehicle.

The snow groomer can operate in temperatures as low as-40 C, thanks to its antifreeze design. Its control system is programmed with detailed data on snow conditions across the country, allowing it to quickly adapt to various on-site challenges, Wen added.

The global snow grooming vehicle market has traditionally been dominated by German and Italian manufacturers. However, this snow groomer has been developed through indigenous innovative efforts to fill a critical gap in the domestic market, Wen said.

While China has made huge strides in developing and producing a wide range of sports gear and equipment, the focus is now on moving beyond mere self-reliance and imitation, and instead cultivating a cohort of Chinese enterprises and brands that can truly compete on the global stage, experts said.

China has outlined measures to foster a balanced ecosystem of industry heavyweights and nimble, niche players that can cater to the diverse and ever-evolving needs of winter sports enthusiasts.

Hong Yong, an associate research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation's e-commerce research institute, said China's winter sports equipment supply chain enjoys significant competitive advantages, but the country's homegrown brands have struggled to match the brand recognition and perceived value of their global rivals.

One path forward, according to Hong, is for Chinese brands to explore differentiated market positioning strategies that cater to specific consumer needs and preferences.

Young Chinese consumers are looking for winter sports equipment that can seamlessly transition from the slopes to the streets. They want products that not only excel in technical functionality but also align with their fashion sensibilities, Hong said.