China's First FIS-Recognized Indoor Alpine Skiing Competition Takes Place in Shenzhen

The HUAFA SNOW BONSKI Cup - FIS 1st Asian Indoor Alpine Ski Championships officially opened on April 23, 2026, at Qianhai Snow World in Shenzhen. This event became the first indoor alpine skiing competition in China to be recognized by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). The championships also marked a significant milestone in the development of winter sports competitions outside their home region. Elite junior athletes from 12 countries and regions participated, providing a high-standard competition with international participation.

The championship took place at Qianhai Snow World, China's first indoor ski resort with runs meeting the stringent standards of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation. Opened on September 29, 2025 , Qianhai Snow World is also the world's largest ski dome. Together with Guangzhou Indoor Ski Resort, it forms the largest indoor ski facility cluster in Southern China. Covering an area of ​​approximately 100,000 square meters, Qianhai Snow World boasts a vertical drop of 83 meters and five professional runs, ranging from beginner to advanced. To support its operations, Qianhai Snow World is equipped with two high-speed, four-seat chairlifts and five magic carpets , providing international-standard training and competition facilities.

Beyond the competition, the championships also marked a new chapter in Shenzhen and Hong Kong's collaboration to develop winter sports in the Greater Bay Area. Following the opening session, the Ski Association of Hong Kong, China, and the Ski Association of Shenzhen exchanged plaques and inaugurated the SAHK office in Shenzhen. This move represents a shift from ad hoc collaboration to a more structured partnership, encompassing event organization, talent development, and standards development. The collaboration also fosters a more integrated winter sports network in Southern China—reflected in the rise of youth competitions, the development of ski club leagues in the Greater Bay Area, and the growing connectivity between resorts in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Zhuhai.

More broadly, Shenzhen and Hong Kong are emerging as new drivers of winter sports development in the Asia-Pacific region, fueled by Hong Kong's international network and Shenzhen's industrial and innovation strength. Coinciding with the APEC China Year 2026, the championships serve as an international platform that emphasizes the principles of openness, capacity, and China's growing role in the global winter sports landscape. Through competition as a platform for exchange, the championships also showcase the role of Southern China, bringing a new dimension to winter sports.