B: And I'm JP. Since late December, the weather has turned very chilly in most regions of northern China.
A: Although the word of winter seems to covey anything but warmth, I believe the idea of going skiing is sure to kindle the passion within many people.
B: Definitely. Skiing has become an increasingly fashionable winter sport among Chinese people. More and more urban dwellers are enjoying the fun of whizzing down the snow slopes, just like many people do in the west.
A: And despite the freezing temperatures, we are blessed with lovely winter sunshine and blue skies most of the time, so people can enjoy more fun when hitting the slopes.
B: Talking about skiing, I'm sure most people will first think of the Swiss Alps, a paradise for skiers worldwide.
A: But fortunately, people in China don't have to take the trouble of travelling so far to enjoy the thrill of skiing, since there are more than 200 fantastic ski resorts throughout the country.
B: Business has been brisk since the weather turned cold. During weekends and holidays, the ski sites are always crowded with people seeking fitness and fun in the brilliant white snow world.
A: Compared with many western countries, the ski industry started in China quite late. A dozen years ago, skiing was only a professional sport exclusively reserved for some 200 athletes in China.
B: It began growing as a public sport only after the country hosted the third Asian Winter Games in 1996. The games stimulated many people's interest in this exhilarating winter sport.
A: During the initial stages of the growth of the sport, skiing was considered a luxury reserved for affluent people because it was perceived as being quite pricey. As a result most common people felt reluctant to try it.
B: To popularize the sport of skiing around the country, many of the ski resorts have constantly improved services and reduced prices to entice more skiers.
A: In recent years, the low-price strategy together with urban residents' bulging wallets have enabled skiing to develop rapidly from a professional and luxury sport to the hottest mass sport in the coldest season.
B: Most of the best skiing resorts can be found in northeastern China's Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces. The winter there is longer and colder than that in other parts of the country, turning the region into a world of ice and snow for one third of the year.
A: Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province, is where the 1996 Asian Winter Games were held. And now it's ready to host the upcoming 24th Winter Universiad, which will open on February 18th.
B: The city is home to some of the country's top-level ski sites. The most famous one is the Yabuli Ski Resort, nestled in a snow-covered mountain valley.
A: Yabuli is the largest and best-equipped ski resort in China, and also the most popular one with skiing fans from home and abroad.
B: It provides a comprehensive array of facilities for skiing and snowboarding. With slopes ranging from easy to "no way" and a couple of mountain and cross-country skiing trails, the resort caters to the needs of skiers at different levels.
A: Many of the skiers are beginners. They lack skills, but by no means enthusiasm.
B: Unlike the north eastern provinces, which are blessed with enough snowfalls, other places in China have to face a major challenge in developing their ski industry: a lack of natural snow.
A: But the problem is solved with the help of snow-making machinery. In Beijing, there are a dozen well-equipped ski resorts in the hilly suburban areas. Although they all use artificial snow, the fun of downhill skiing is no less exciting.
B: There is no doubt that skiing is a great activity for winter, but for skiing enthusiasts, the cold season seems all too short to enjoy the sport fully.
A: That's true. Outdoor ski resorts are all restricted by the season. But people in Beijing are lucky enough to have somewhere to ski even during the sweltering summer.
B: Yes, a grand indoor skiing resort was built in suburban Beijing three years ago. It's equipped with state-of-the-art technology and facilities, and opened to ski fans all year round.
A: Known as the 'Qiaobo Ski Dome', the project was founded and named after Ye Qiaobo, the most successful sprint skater in China who collected 14 world championships during her professional career.
B: Ye Qiaobo says she hopes the indoor facility can inspire more people, especially children, to develop an interest in skiing.
A: China has become an alluring destination for skiing fans from Russia, Japan, South Korea and some other nearby countries. But compared with western countries where the ski market has matured, China's ski industry is still catching up.
B: That's why domestic business people have been intensifying their cooperation with western professionals to further tap into China's potential ski market.
A: Well, it's time to wind up this edition of 'Listeners Garden'. To post any comments or suggestions, please email us at garden@cri.com.cn.
B: You can also listen to our program online by logging onto our website at crienglish.com.
A: I'm LPC, thanks for being with us.
B: And I'm JP, inviting you to join us again at the same time next week. Bye for now.
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