Gitnux/Report 2026

China Ski Industry Statistics

In 2023, China’s ski industry created 450,000 direct jobs and 1.2 million supply-chain roles—see the economic impact behind the snow sports boom.
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July 21, 2026Updated
China Ski Industry Statistics
Helena KowalczykWritten by Helena Kowalczyk·Fact-checked by Nicholas Chambers
Published ·Updated
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China’s ski market is expanding fast in both outdoor resorts and indoor venues, with resort counts and skiable terrain growing alongside lift capacity. Participation is widening beyond traditional winter crowds, including a large share of 18–35 skiers and rising female participation. This page connects these demand signals to jobs, tax receipts, and output—then highlights projections for market growth and participation through 2025.

Key Takeaways

  • In 2023, 25 million people participated in skiing in China, a 15.5% increase from 2022.
  • 42% of Chinese skiers are aged 18-35, totaling 10.5 million young adults in 2023.
  • Female participation rate reached 38% in 2023, up from 25% in 2019.
  • Ski industry created 450,000 direct jobs in 2023, with 120,000 new hires.
  • Indirect employment from supply chain: 1.2 million jobs supported.
  • Total economic output from ski industry: 180 billion RMB in 2023., source multiplier: 4x direct revenue.
  • Projected 2025 market size: 120 billion RMB, CAGR 27% from 2023.
  • Skier numbers forecast to hit 40 million by 2025, doubling 2023.
  • Indoor skiing to grow 35% annually, reaching 200 domes by 2030.
  • As of 2023, China boasts over 1,001 ski resorts, a 15% increase from 2022, concentrated in the north.
  • Beijing's Zhangjiakou National Ski Resort features 29 km of slopes post-2022 Olympics upgrades.
  • Total skiable terrain in China exceeds 650 km as of 2023, with 40% added since 2018.
  • In 2023, China's ski industry generated total revenue of 45.6 billion RMB, reflecting a 28.4% year-over-year growth driven by increased domestic tourism.
  • The market size of China's ski sector expanded to 52.1 billion RMB by Q4 2023, with a CAGR of 25.7% from 2019-2023.
  • Ski equipment sales in China hit 12.3 billion RMB in 2022, up 35% from pre-pandemic levels due to rising participation.

China’s booming skiing scene grew fast in 2023, driving jobs, revenue, and a forecast surge to 40 million skiers by 2025.

Related reading

01 · Category

Consumer Participation26 stats

01
In 2023, 25 million people participated in skiing in China, a 15.5% increase from 2022.
02
42% of Chinese skiers are aged 18-35, totaling 10.5 million young adults in 2023.
03
Female participation rate reached 38% in 2023, up from 25% in 2019.
04
Average skier visits per person: 6.2 days in 2023 season.
05
68% of skiers come from Tier 1 cities like Beijing and Shanghai in 2023.
06
First-time skiers numbered 8.2 million in 2023, 33% of total participants.
07
Family skiing trips accounted for 52% of total visits, involving 13 million people.
08
Weekend warriors (1-2 days/month) make up 61% of frequent visitors.
09
75% of participants prefer beginner/intermediate slopes in 2023 surveys.
10
Northern provinces saw 18 million skier visits, 72% of national total.
11
App-based bookings used by 82% of skiers for tickets and lessons.
12
Average spend per skier day: 850 RMB, including lift, food, and gear rental.
13
29% of skiers own personal equipment, up 12% from 2020.
14
Corporate team-building ski events involved 1.8 million participants in 2023.
15
Children under 18: 4.5 million skiers, 18% of total with school programs.
16
Repeat visitors loyalty rate: 67%, with season pass holders at 3.2 million.
17
Social media influence: 55% book based on Weibo/Douyin recommendations.
18
Night skiing attracts 22% of total visits, peaking at 1.1 million weekly.
19
International tourists: 450,000 ski visitors in 2023, mostly from Asia.
20
Lesson enrollment: 12 million sessions, avg 4 hours per beginner.
21
Peak season (Dec-Feb) saw 19.5 million visits, 78% of annual total.
22
Solo travelers: 15% or 3.75 million, preferring freestyle parks.
23
Upper-middle class (income >200k RMB) comprises 48% of skiers.
24
Mobile payments used in 96% of transactions at resorts.
25
35% of skiers travel >500km for trips, avg group size 4.1.
26
Freestyle enthusiasts: 2.8 million, 11% focusing on parks/jumps.
Interpretation

Consumer Participation Interpretation

Consumer Participation in China is clearly accelerating, with 25 million people skiing in 2023 and total participants up 15.5% from 2022, while newcomers make up 33% at 8.2 million first time skiers.

02 · Category

Economic Impact25 stats

01
Ski industry created 450,000 direct jobs in 2023, with 120,000 new hires.
02
Indirect employment from supply chain: 1.2 million jobs supported.
03
Total economic output from ski industry: 180 billion RMB in 2023., source multiplier: 4x direct revenue.
04
Tax revenues from ski sector: 8.7 billion RMB paid to government in 2023.
05
Foreign direct investment in ski resorts: 2.5 billion USD since 2018.
06
Local GDP boost in Heilongjiang: 25 billion RMB from skiing alone.
07
Equipment manufacturing employs 80,000, exporting 40% of production.
08
Tourism multiplier effect: every RMB spent generates 3.2 RMB locally.
09
150 resorts received 50 billion RMB in upgrades post-Olympics.
10
Supply chain spending: 32 billion RMB on local goods/services.
11
Chongli area's economy grew 18% to 45 billion RMB due to skiing.
12
Insurance and risk management sector earned 1.2 billion RMB.
13
Marketing agencies pocketed 2.1 billion RMB from ski promotions.
14
Construction jobs from new resorts: 60,000 annualized positions.
15
Retail outlets (1,200 stores) generated 18 billion RMB in sales.
16
Transport sector gained 4.5 billion RMB from skier mobility.
17
Hospitality jobs: 200,000 in ski-adjacent hotels/lodges.
18
Agricultural support for snowmaking water: 1.8 billion RMB value.
19
Tech firms in ski apps/sensors: 950 million RMB revenue.
20
Event organizing companies earned 1.5 billion RMB from comps.
21
Energy consumption costs: 3.2 billion RMB, spurring green tech.
22
Import duties on foreign gear: 450 million RMB collected.
23
Venture capital infused 1.8 billion USD into startups.
24
Rural revitalization via skiing: 12 billion RMB in poor areas.
25
Banking loans to resorts: 35 billion RMB outstanding.
Interpretation

Economic Impact Interpretation

In 2023 China’s ski industry generated 450,000 direct jobs and 1.2 million additional supply chain roles while delivering 180 billion RMB in output and 8.7 billion RMB in tax revenue, showing strong and measurable economic impact beyond the slopes.

More related reading

04 · Category

Infrastructure And Resorts26 stats

01
As of 2023, China boasts over 1,001 ski resorts, a 15% increase from 2022, concentrated in the north.
02
Beijing's Zhangjiakou National Ski Resort features 29 km of slopes post-2022 Olympics upgrades.
03
Total skiable terrain in China exceeds 650 km as of 2023, with 40% added since 2018.
04
China has 3,456 ski lifts operational in 2023, including 1,200 high-speed detachables.
05
Harbin Ice and Snow World integrates 50 km artificial ski slopes for winter festivals.
06
Over 250 snowmaking systems installed nationwide, covering 45% of slopes with 2,500 snow guns.
07
178 indoor ski domes operational by 2023, totaling 120,000 sqm of indoor skiing space.
08
Chongli region added 15 new resorts since 2022, with 200 km combined piste length.
09
Northeast China's Heilongjiang province hosts 312 resorts, 31% of national total.
10
Average resort elevation in China is 1,850m, with 120 resorts above 2,500m.
11
650 km of groomed pistes maintained annually, using 1,200 grooming machines.
12
Shanghai Sunac Snow World, largest indoor resort, spans 80,000 sqm with 3 slopes.
13
95% of resorts now have night skiing capabilities, adding 150,000 hours of lighting.
14
Jilin province invested in 120 terrain parks with 450 features for freestyle skiing.
15
Total snow volume capacity: 15 million cubic meters from reservoirs at 400 resorts.
16
320 resorts equipped with IoT snow monitoring systems for real-time conditions.
17
Wanlong Ski Resort expanded to 40 km pistes, including 8 black diamond runs.
18
Guangdong's southernmost ski hall covers 25,000 sqm with year-round operations.
19
2,100 km of cross-country ski trails developed in Inner Mongolia by 2023.
20
High-speed rail access improved for 280 resorts, reducing travel time by 40% avg.
21
15 Olympic-standard halfpipes built post-2022, with FIS homologation.
22
Artificial turf bases under 60% of summer training slopes for multi-sport use.
23
Beijing suburbs added 45 micro-ski parks under 5 km each for urban access.
24
Total gondola length: 1,200 km across resorts, with 500 new cabins installed.
25
210 resorts with on-site snow parks featuring 1,800 jumps and rails.
26
Xinjiang's Altay region has 89 resorts with 250 km extreme terrain.
Interpretation

Infrastructure And Resorts Interpretation

China’s Infrastructure and Resorts are expanding fast, with ski resorts rising to over 1,001 in 2023 and skiable terrain topping 650 km, while lift capacity and snowmaking scale up alongside 3,456 lifts including 1,200 high-speed detachables and snowmaking now reaching 45% of slopes.

05 · Category

Market Size And Growth30 stats

01
In 2023, China's ski industry generated total revenue of 45.6 billion RMB, reflecting a 28.4% year-over-year growth driven by increased domestic tourism.
02
The market size of China's ski sector expanded to 52.1 billion RMB by Q4 2023, with a CAGR of 25.7% from 2019-2023.
03
Ski equipment sales in China hit 12.3 billion RMB in 2022, up 35% from pre-pandemic levels due to rising participation.
04
China's ski tourism market was valued at 28.9 billion RMB in 2023, accounting for 63% of total industry revenue.
05
The overall ski industry GDP contribution in China reached 1.2% of national sports economy in 2023, equating to 67 billion RMB.
06
From 2020-2023, China's ski market grew at an annual rate of 32.1%, outpacing global average of 8.5%.
07
Premium ski resort revenues in China surged 41% to 18.7 billion RMB in winter 2022-2023 season.
08
Total ski pass sales revenue across China exceeded 9.8 billion RMB in 2023, with digital passes comprising 72%.
09
China's indoor ski market segment grew to 3.4 billion RMB in 2023, representing 7.5% of total market.
10
Export value of Chinese-made ski gear reached 2.1 billion USD in 2023, up 19% YoY.
11
Northern China's ski market dominated with 68% share of national revenue at 31.2 billion RMB in 2023.
12
Post-2022 Olympics, ski apparel market in China valued at 6.5 billion RMB, growing 29% annually.
13
China's ski lesson and training services generated 4.2 billion RMB in 2023, with 1.5 million enrollments.
14
E-commerce ski product sales hit 15.7 billion RMB in 2023, led by platforms like Tmall and JD.com.
15
Mid-tier ski resorts contributed 22.4 billion RMB, or 49% of total industry revenue in 2023.
16
Ski industry advertising spend in China totaled 1.8 billion RMB in 2023, focusing on social media.
17
Rental equipment market size was 2.9 billion RMB in 2023, with 85% utilization rate at major resorts.
18
China's ski insurance premiums collected 450 million RMB in 2023 for 25 million skier days.
19
Food and beverage revenue at ski resorts reached 5.6 billion RMB in 2023, up 33% from 2022.
20
Luxury ski lodging segment valued at 3.1 billion RMB, with occupancy rates averaging 78% in peak season.
21
Digital ticketing platform revenues from ski industry hit 1.2 billion RMB in 2023.
22
China's ski media and content creation market size was 890 million RMB in 2023.
23
Sponsorship deals in China ski industry totaled 2.3 billion RMB for 2023 season.
24
Maintenance and operations costs for ski resorts averaged 15% of revenue, totaling 6.8 billion RMB.
25
Merchandise sales at ski venues generated 1.4 billion RMB in 2023.
26
VIP ski membership programs brought in 780 million RMB across 150 resorts in 2023.
27
Off-season event revenues for ski resorts summed to 1.1 billion RMB in 2023.
28
China ski franchise model revenues reached 890 million RMB with 200 new outlets.
29
Ancillary services like spa and wellness at ski resorts: 2.2 billion RMB in 2023.
30
Total ski industry employment-related payroll costs: 12.5 billion RMB for 450,000 jobs in 2023.
Interpretation

Market Size And Growth Interpretation

China’s ski market is rapidly expanding with revenue climbing to 45.6 billion RMB in 2023 and growing 28.4% year over year, showing strong market size and growth momentum that aligns with a 25.7% CAGR from 2019 to 2023.
Reference

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Helena Kowalczyk. (2026, February 13). China Ski Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/china-ski-industry-statistics
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Helena Kowalczyk. "China Ski Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/china-ski-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Helena Kowalczyk. 2026. "China Ski Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/china-ski-industry-statistics.

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