Nation's frozen assets keep paying dividends

With Chinese resort developers and event promoters having already upgraded their equipment and facilities up to international standards, operational expertise in business diversification and customer services could still use more input from the world's established players, according to Erik Riegler, a staff member in charge of cooperation and relationship development at the Austrian Embassy in Beijing.

"You should focus on different target groups to differentiate the products and services, not only serving those people who come to ski, but also others who want to experience the mountains, outdoor events and maybe some other cultural activities," Riegler suggested in regard to China's resort operations, citing experiences from Austria's renowned winter tourism industry.

With both countries having hosted the Winter Olympics and staged winter sports World Cup events on a consistent basis, Riegler also suggested Chinese organizers could tap the deeper potential in the commercial operation of sporting events.

"You have to offer more than just watching the event, there should be entertainment choices for all those target groups, whether it's good food, a lively bar with music or a spa for relaxation and therapeutic treatments," he said.

As the forum continued at the alpine resort, the National Sliding Center, another Beijing 2022 Olympic venue located just across the ridge, hosted the final leg of the 2024-25 International Luge Federation World Cup series, offering visitors to the Yanqing Olympic park another thrilling way to spend the weekend — watching an international cohort of daredevil luge racers hurtling down the frozen track on a small sled.

Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, hailed the legacy of Beijing 2022 again last week after a visit to the Chinese capital.

"The legacy of the Olympic Games is working," Bach said after a tour of the Beijing Olympic Museum on Thursday.

"After Beijing 2022, winter sports have become so popular in China, that we can now speak them in global terms," said the former German Olympic fencing champion, who is due to step down from his position in June at the end of his second term.

"This is what a legacy is about: ensuring that future generations can benefit from the Olympic Games. China is an extraordinary display of that."