Xinhua News Agency, Urumqi, January 23 (Reporter Hu Huhu) Walking in the city of Altay, Xinjiang, from any angle, the top of the mountain at an altitude of more than 1,300 meters is clearly visible. Several snow trails wind down from the peak, reflecting the urban building complex, which is spectacular.

This alpine ski resort located in the city is famous for its convenient transportation, abundant natural snowfall and an effective snow period of about half a year. According to reports, since the new snow season started on November 16, 2024, as of January 20 this year, the total number of visitors to the General Mountain International Ski Resort has exceeded 480,000, an increase of about 19% year-on-year.

This is a corner of the General Mountain International Ski Resort photographed on January 21. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Hu Huhu

People from all over the world rushed to the northwest and gathered in Altay to go to the ice and snow agreement together.

Take the winter vacation, Ms. Yu took her children to fly from Shanghai and planned to spend three weeks skiing in Altay. "The popularity of Altay skiing is too high, and there are detailed guides on the Internet." She is full of expectations for her first Altay ice and snow tour. "In addition to skiing, the natural scenery and cultural customs here are also very attractive!"

Staff from General Mountain International Ski Resort introduced that snow friends from outside Xinjiang, like Ms. Yu, account for about 80%. At Altay Xuedu Airport, the plane takes off and lands in a busy and orderly manner, and there are passengers carrying snowboards on each flight. China Southern Airlines and other airlines seized the opportunity to continue to build brand routes for ice and snow tours, and smooth the air channels between other provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities from Xinjiang to Altay.

On the eve of the Spring Festival, Zhang Nianci flew back to Altay from Chengdu. In addition to skiing, he was also responsible for shop inspections. At the age of 36, she and several local companions from Beijing and Altay operate a ski shop of about 200 square meters in Altay.

This well-known ski equipment chain has agents for more than 20 domestic and foreign brands of ski clothing, snowboards, helmets, etc. "Revenue is generally on an upward trend, with an annual growth rate of about 10%. Zhang Nianci has been skiing in Altay for seven or eight years. He started operating a ski shop in Altay City three years ago. He is a witness and beneficiary of the development of Altay's ice and snow sports.

Zhang Nianci sorted out helmets and other products in the snow equipment store (photo on January 22). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Hu Huhu

It is not far from the snow shop led by Zhang Nianci's team, and it is also a place where snow friends often go - the snow delivery site. The store was filled with snow mailed from all over the country, and the regional manager Wang Fan and his colleagues' cell phones kept ringing, busy receiving and distributing them from morning to night.

"This year's ski delivery volume has increased significantly. During the peak period, the average daily delivery of 300 pieces at the General Mountain Station and 400 pieces were shipped." Five years ago, Wang Fan's company developed ski delivery business in the Altay region. At present, the ski delivery special outlets have expanded to large ski resorts in Altay such as Hemu and Keketohai.

The outdoors are covered with snow and the house is warm. The two tourist service centers of General Shan International Ski Resort are crowded with people, and dozens of shops and food stalls are in full rent. From afar, in addition to domestic snow friends, you can often see foreign ski coaches and ski enthusiasts in General Mountain.

Altay is in the "Golden Ice and Snow" latitude zone" in the northern hemisphere, as well as the Alps and Rocky Mountains. Outside the gate of General Mountain International Ski Resort, a QR code for feedback on snow friends' supervision suggestions was posted. The slogan next to it, "World-class mountains, world-class snow, and world-class supporting facilities and services are also needed", which shows the sincerity of local and snow friends to "go in both directions" and their determination to catch up with the developed market of ice and snow tourism.

Snow friends attended the "Sunset Party" at the General Mountain International Ski Resort (photo on January 21). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Hu Huhu

Walk out of the visitor center and go down the mountain along the street. The streets that were under development and construction two years ago are now crowded with hotels, bed and breakfasts, restaurant convenience stores, and ski clubs, and are colorful every night. Many shops hung high lanterns, and some even posted New Year pictures early. A homestay owner sighed: "There are more snow friends on the road! The Spring Festival holiday is another peak."