Olympic Winter Games in Beijing 2022: "It's almost a bit like in the Alps"

AreaRead the video transcript expand here

It's like the people of China couldn't wait.

Finally traveling again, finally skiing again.

For three years, this was hardly possible due to the strict corona measures.

A year ago, among other things, the Winter Olympics took place here, in the Chongli ski area.

The games were criticized worldwide, especially in the run-up: because of China's disregard for human rights, the strict zero-Covid policy and because of the region in which the games were to take place - an extremely dry area and very cold in winter, where there is hardly any snowing.

But Xi Jinping was pursuing an ambitious goal: to get his nation enthusiastic about winter sports.

Around a fifth of Chinese should start with one of the rather unpopular sports in China.

One year after the Winter Games, China correspondent Georg Fahrion asked around in the Chongli ski area in Zhanjiakou

Georg Fahrion, China correspondent DER SPIEGEL

»There was a lot of criticism of the Beijing Games at the time, mainly because of China's poor human rights record, but also because the Games are said to be unsustainable.

It's true in part.

There is a ski jump down here in Chongli in the valley.

It's more likely to be a white elephant, similar to the bobsleigh track in Yanging, about an hour from here.

And although it's bitterly cold, down to -17 degrees this week, the slopes still have to be artificially snowed in because there is so little precipitation in northern China in winter.

And there's not enough snow.«

Skiing fun on 100 percent artificial snow.

So far, winter sports have not played a major role in China – in a country that consists largely of desert and subtropics.

What did the Winter Olympics change in the country?

Tourist

»The enthusiasm for winter sports has increased enormously since the Olympic Games.

The number of people has also increased.

Much more than before.

This is the biggest effect that the Winter Olympics will bring.

Namely, to get more and more people to ski and snowboard.«

Tourist

»Yes, there have been a lot more people here since the Olympic Games.«

Queues and crowds at the gondola and lift stations used to be rare.

And the ski and snowboard schools are more popular.

Reporter: "Do you have more students now?"

Ski Instructor

»Than before the Olympic Games?«

Reporter: "Yes, before the games, I mean."

Ski instructor

»Yes, definitely.

Quite a lot.«

With its seven resorts, the ski area northwest of Beijing is one of the largest in China.

Even before the corona pandemic, it was mainly the rich from Beijing who came here to ski in winter.

Manufacturers of ski clothing and equipment see an enormous growth market in China.

The Olympic Games reinforced that.

The well-known brands Atomic and Salomon from Austria and France are already owned by the Chinese.

Georg Fahrion, China correspondent for DER SPIEGEL

»Of course, China is still not a winter sports nation like Austria or Switzerland.

But many here are enthusiastic about winter sports.

Down in the valley, the hotels are almost all fully booked.

And that, although the New Year's holidays are now over.

The ski schools are full.

Several ski instructors have passed us here and people are having a lot of fun on the slopes.

It's almost like being in the Alps, just with a Chinese twist.«

The rush and interest in skiing is so great in Chongli this winter that the ski rental and repair shop can barely keep up with work.

Tourist

»You can see that the ski culture hasn't really been rooted that long among the people.

And of course you can see that the general level is relatively low compared to Europe.

But I see people are having fun, people are trying.

And the temptation is there.

People see the challenge.«

One thing must not be missing.

Of course not.

The stop-off is just as important in the ski areas of China as in the Stubaital or St. Moritz.

There has been an Austrian restaurant in Chongli for eight years, long before the Games.

Kunj Zjia, Restaurant Manager

Reporter: "What's your specialty?"

"Look at that!"

While China's ambitious plan hasn't materialized so far, the Olympics have helped attract more people to the slopes.

Here in Chongli, tourism depends on artificial snow - a costly and environmentally damaging process that many winter sports regions worldwide are struggling with due to climate change.