PODCAST:Drum Tower
TITLE:Drum Tower picks: Why China is embracing skiing
DATE:2024-01-09 00:00:00
URL:
MODEL:gpt-4-gizmo
The podcast episode from "Drum Tower," titled "Drum Tower picks Why China is embracing skiing," dated January 9, 2024, delves into the burgeoning popularity of winter sports, particularly skiing, in China. The episode, narrated by Alice, highlights an article from The Economist, emphasizing the post-pandemic surge in skiing interest among millions of Chinese people, transforming it from a niche activity to a mainstream sport.
The episode begins with a scene at the Mission Hills snow dome in Shenzhen, a southern city where skiing is pursued year-round despite the warm climate outside. This facility, which opened the previous year, is one of approximately 700 indoor and outdoor ski centers across China. State media reports indicate an uptick in visits to these centers. This boom in winter sports was significantly influenced by China's successful bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics. President Xi Jinping's call for widespread participation in winter sports spurred the construction of new resorts and a nationwide campaign. The Chinese government claims that since 2015, around 300 million of its 1.4 billion citizens have participated in winter sports. Although these figures might be inflated, the campaign seems to resonate more with the middle-class demographic than other ideologically driven campaigns.
President Xi Jinping has emphasized the strength of sports as a reflection of a nation's strength. This sentiment was underscored by China's progression from winning no gold medals in the 2018 Winter Olympics to securing nine in 2022. Part of this success is attributed to naturalizing foreign athletes, such as Eileen Gu, an American-born freestyle skier who chose to represent China and became a prominent figure in the Beijing Games, winning two gold medals. Beyond seeking Olympic glory, the Chinese government's push for winter sports aligns with its broader goals outlined in its five-year plan, which includes targets for sports participation and overall fitness, addressing concerns like the high rate of overweight citizens reported in 2020.
The government also aims to boost domestic tourism and economic activity by encouraging locals to spend on in-country activities like skiing. Most Chinese skiers are beginners, and the country's ski resorts are relatively small with gentle slopes, making them ideal for novices. Shen Hills, for instance, focuses more on entertainment and photo opportunities than challenging ski runs. However, enthusiasts looking for more challenging terrain might consider Xinjiang in northwestern China, known for its high mountains and long winters. Xinjiang, which houses nearly 10% of China's ski resorts, has seen a significant increase in visitors, according to state media.
Xinjiang, controversial for the human rights issues it has faced over the past decade, is also purported by the Communist Party to be the birthplace of skiing, based on 12,000-year-old rock paintings depicting hunters on skis. However, the episode concludes by noting that in China, both history and skiing can be complex and contentious topics.
