CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- Chongqing, a municipality in southwestern China, doesn’t really have much of a chance to be patronized by a natural snowfall, but winter sports here are gradually gaining momentum. Let’s see how winter sports carries out in the mountainous city. 

With the temperature close to -5℃, clear racing tracks and obstacles consist of 8 flags, players who wore professional skiing equipment were crossing in between the flag-gates seamlessly and accurately in the Jihua Park Indoor Skiing Hall, leaving behind their graceful silhouettes.

Over 100 skiing athletes and amateurs from skiing clubs of Chongqing, Sichuan and other southwestern areas was taking part in the first Indoor Skiing Tournament in Chongqing. They need to finish a predetermined route in as less time as possible.

The cool gears are showcases of the players’ personality. The show starts when the equipment checking is done.

Upon the judge’s signal, players would descend from the top of the slope quickly before making a U-turn. It is a little dreadful looking down from the summit.

“I have never skied when I was a kid, so I would really love to try it.” said Zhao Xinyuan, 21, who was introduced to the sport by coincidence and later qualified in the exam of coach of international alpine level 2, at his first try.

Zhao, the second one on the right, discovered surprisingly that more and more people become fascinated with skiing after a skiing training program in Dubai before returning to Chongqing this year. “I didn’t expect there would be so many people who love winter sports in Chongqing, and I hope that I can help Chongqing people fall in love with the sport.”

The skiing hall is never a place dominated by adults, the rising popularity of the winter sports has also attracted many children, who can be really professional, or cute, while snowboarding.

“We are ready!” When the children’s match started, they had their equipment prepared before sending themselves on a conveyor belt heading to the start. 

Winters sports have gradually become popular in Chongqing, as Beijing is set to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games and thanks to a promotion of development of winter sports from north to south. Winter sport lovers in Chongqing gathered by themselves to compete with each other and to improve their skills. Although started late, the development of these sports is accelerating, trying its best. (Translated by Yang Lifu, Fathom Language Limited)