According to a report in China Daily on February 6, 2026
Winter sports boom fuels manufacturing, tech innovation, and tourism, creating new opportunities across China’s cold-weather industry.
China’s ice and snow economy has crossed a milestone: by 2025, the sector’s total value surpassed 1 trillion yuan ($143.9 billion), driven by winter sports participation, domestic consumption initiatives, and rapid industrial innovation. From ski equipment to smart snow machines, the industry is transforming China’s cold-weather regions into hubs of economic growth and technological experimentation.
Since hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics, China’s winter sports sector has grown rapidly, with the industry expanding from 270 billion yuan in 2015 to nearly 980 billion yuan in 2024, and topping 1 trillion yuan in 2025. The growth spans the full industrial chain, including personal gear, professional equipment, venue facilities, and intelligent snow technology.
Government programs, like the 2026 National Ice and Snow Consumption Season under the “Shopping in China” initiative, are boosting demand through innovative consumption scenarios, attracting both domestic and international attention.
“China’s ice and snow industry is leveraging AI, robotics, and smart manufacturing to achieve rapid innovation and efficiency,” said Adam Zhang, founder of Key-Solution Sports Consulting.
Participation in winter sports is rising sharply. During the 2024–2025 season, consumer spending reached 187.5 billion yuan, a 25% year-on-year increase. Platforms like Huabei report that skiing and snowboarding are attracting diverse demographics, driving demand for specialized equipment and experiences.
Domestic brands, such as Yepro, are capturing market share with competitively priced, technologically advanced products. Meanwhile, companies like Harbin Zhongcheng Technology Development are developing intelligent snow machines capable of optimizing operations in real time, integrating R&D collaborations with local universities.
“This sector represents a new frontier for China’s manufacturing and tech capabilities,” Zhang noted. “It’s a latecomer advantage: regions can leapfrog in innovation while creating a robust ecosystem across sports, equipment, and services.”
Industry analysts highlight that the ice and snow economy is not only stimulating local growth in provinces like Heilongjiang but also expanding investment opportunities in winter sports infrastructure, smart equipment, and tourism services.
With robust consumer demand, ongoing technological integration, and supportive government policies, China’s ice and snow economy is poised for continued high growth, setting a global example for transforming natural resources into a diversified, tech-driven economic engine.