Jilin enjoys snow business

Country's ski hub is investing heavily in promoting icy allure, both at home and abroad, Liu Mingtai and Zhou Huiying report in Changchun.

As the early winter temperatures drop across northeastern China, ski enthusiasts in Jilin province and elsewhere in the country are getting excited as ski lodges in the province begin to open their doors. Among them is Xu Guanghui.

The day the Miaoxiangshan Ski Resort in Changchun opened on Nov 18, the 60-year-old drew plenty of attention as he and his companion for the day — a 20-month-old baby girl — prepared to enjoy the slopes.

"I have waited eight months since the ski season finished in mid-March," he says. "I'm even happier that this winter I can bring my granddaughter here to enjoy the snow."

The toddler shows interest and a degree of talent as she takes to a snowboard for the first time, eliciting applause from the other ski enthusiasts.

"I have been in love with skiing since I retired from the air force and became the Party secretary of a private college," Xu says. "When I learned that the students enjoyed winter sports, especially students from southern regions, I suggested that the college put on more courses and activities. We also took the students to nearby ski resorts to experience winter sports."

Since retiring from the college in 2013, he spends most of his spare time at ski resorts around Changchun, Jilin, in the winter.

"The infrastructure at the resorts has been greatly improved since 2008. Now I can enjoy skiing at international standard resorts," he says. "I plan to take my granddaughter out to practice once or twice a week during this winter. As a child born in the Northeast, she should learn to love the snow and ice."