World's largest indoor skiing resort opens in Shanghai

After a monthlong trial operation, Shanghai L+ Snow Indoor Skiing Theme Resort — the world's largest indoor skiing resort — officially opened to the public on Friday in Shanghai's Lin-gang Special Area, eyeing both skiing enthusiasts and tourists seeking snow entertainment from across the nation and the world.

Covering 98,828.7 square meters, the resort's Snow World was recognized as the world's largest indoor skiing venue by the Guinness World Records during the opening ceremony.

With a nearly 60-meter vertical drop, the Snow World features three professional skiing slopes whose length totals about 1,200 meters. Also, it is equipped with a big snow entertainment area, offering visitors diverse leisure activities.

In addition to the Snow World, the resort also comprehensively integrates a water park, dining, shopping, and hotels, creating opportunities for the ice and snow industry and expecting to boost the city's ice and snow consumption.

The resort started selling tickets in its trial operation phase in August. As of Sept 1, the resort received nearly 100,000 visits and saw its cumulative ticket sales exceed 100,000 by Sept 6. Families with children and young people have become the resort's main customers.

"The trial operation and the ticket sales have proved tourists' enthusiasm for the resort. We have also collected their feedback on the resort and will optimize our facilities and staffing … Visitors cannot only experience skiing here but also enjoy some leisure time with families regardless of season and time," said Yin Kang, executive deputy general manager of the resort.

Since the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022, China's ice and snow industry has been thriving. Yin pointed out that the resort has filled the gap for those seeking ice and snow tourism in Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta region.

Zhao Tianjiao, a 30-year-old aircraft engineer, was among the first ones rushing up to the highest slope. Having been a skier for three years, the Shanghai native used to travel far, such as northeastern China and Japan, to ski in winters.

"It is much convenient (for Shanghai residents) to have such a place to ski at our doorsteps … The slope for experienced skiers offers a great experience, as it is straight and wide enough and with a suitable gradient. And the snow is of good quality, too," said Zhao.