Zhou Guangliang, a 28-year-old from Beijing, said his first experience at an indoor ski resort was novel and fun.

Despite the many ski resorts in and around Beijing, Zhou went to Wuhan, Hubei province, in January especially to visit Ganlushan International Ski Resort, the largest indoor ski resort in Central China and the third-largest in the nation.

The resort, backed by Wuhan Urban Construction Group, covers an area of about 60,000 square meters. It has quickly become a hot topic on social media since opening in November last year.

"I want to feel the atmosphere of ice and snow sports in a southern Chinese city," Zhou said, adding that it only took him about four hours to visit Wuhan on a high-speed train from the capital.

Zhou and his family spent four hours at the resort, spending roughly 500 yuan ($69) per person, including expenses for tickets, coaching and dining. Equipment such as helmets, snow coats and snowboards were provided for free with the ticket.

"The facilities and equipment are complete and advanced. There are also good hotels and restaurants," he added.

Wuhan, one of China's "four ovens" — cities known for their steamy summer temperatures -has seen its ice and snow industry prosper in recent years. Its fourth indoor ski resort opened on Nov 8, and about 100,000 people participate in ice and snow sports in the city annually, including non-residents.

Ganlushan International Ski Resort simulates outdoor skiing resorts by using snow-making machines, and ice sculptures are transported from external cold storage to the venue for construction, said Yu Hao, general manager of Wuhan Changjiang Culture and Tourism City Management Co, operator of the resort.

The temperature remains at -6 C while opening to visitors 365 days a year from 10 am to 9 pm or 10 pm. The entire space is equipped with cold storage panels and multiple cold air machines, ensuring that the ice and snow remain frozen throughout the year, he said.

The resort has six snow trails for tourists at various skill levels. The most difficult has a slope of 18 degrees and a length of 240 meters. It receives around 2,000 visitors on weekends.

"As an emerging leisure and sports venue, indoor ski resorts have experienced rapid development in recent years in China," Yu said.

"From the demand side, with the promotion of international events such as the Winter Olympics, skiing as a fashionable sport has been increasingly favored by consumers. Especially in areas lacking natural skiing conditions, indoor ski resorts offer skiing enthusiasts a year-round, season-independent experience.

"From a policy perspective, especially in regions promoting nationwide fitness or the development of the ice and snow industry, the local government may provide financial support or tax incentives," he added.

This year, during Wuhan's public ice and snow season, the local sports bureau plans to issue 1 million yuan in ice and snow consumption vouchers.

"Ice and snow sports have become a new highlight of tourism in Wuhan, attracting a large number of visitors to come and experience them, extending the peak tourism season," said Gong Yuexiang, deputy director of Wuhan Social Sports Guidance Center.

He said the convenient transportation, developed economy and large population suggest huge potential for consumption related to ice and snow — including sports equipment, sports events, training services, accommodation and catering — to create a new driving force for the economy and job creation.

Ski coach Li Yue offers classes at Bonski, an indoor ski resort chain, in Wuhan. Li, 26, said the age ranges he sees are from 6 to 40, and are mainly either young people or women from Central China wanting to experience the sport for the first time.

Li said unlike outdoor ski resorts, indoor ones are not affected by seasons or weather and are often located in suburban areas to cater to enthusiasts who want to practice whenever they feel like it.

"It's a sport that can enhance your heart and lung function, release pressure and build confidence," he said.

Among the 12 national ice and snow tourism boutique travel routes announced by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the route in Hubei has become one of the few routes listed in the south.

Wu Feng International Ski Resort in Yichang city, Hubei, is a major attraction on the route.

"Besides skiing, tourists can also experience snow dragon boating, snow tube relays, snow bowling and more," said Shu Chengcheng, general manager of the outdoor resort.

Since opening in 2018, Wu Feng has received about 300,000 visits. Revenue at the resort has reached some 60 million yuan, increasing the incomes of more than 100 villagers in the area by 30,000 yuan per person per year.

"More people in southern areas don't need to travel to northeastern areas to experience skiing," Shu said. "Instead, they can do that right near their home."

According to data from travel platform Trip.com Group, bookings for Hubei ski hotels from Jan 1 to Feb 28 have increased about 83 percent year-on-year.

It is estimated that during the 2024-2025 ice and snow season, the number of tourists received in Hubei will exceed 20 million, and the revenue from ice and snow leisure tourism will reach 27.3 billion yuan, data from the provincial culture and tourism bureau showed.

Contact the writers at chenmeiling@chinadaily.com.cn