Visitors enjoy snow fun at the Alps Snow Live indoor ski resort in Taicang, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua)

　　China's winter sports industry is rapidly growing in southern cities where sustained snowfall is a rarity as the ice-and-snow economy is projected to surpass one trillion yuan by 2025, signaling vast market potential and cultural integration opportunities.

　　by sportswriter He Leijing

　　NANJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Skis strapped on, goggles tightened, and helmet fastened. Wang Lin took a deep breath before hurtling down a 138-meter-long indoor slope, immersing herself in the exhilarating rush of speed.

　　For Wang, a novice skier, there is no need to travel thousands of kilometers to China's frozen northern frontiers. Just two kilometers from her home in Wuxi, a two-hour drive from Shanghai, lies a fairy-tale-like haven whose decor and soft snow can whisk her into a winter's dream. “Skiing is a huge stress reliever,“ Wang said, beaming after her run. “My whole family can visit the ski resort every week. It's incredibly convenient.“

　　Known as Wuxi Bonski, the indoor facility spans 17,500 square meters and attracts hundreds of enthusiasts daily.

　　Notably, around 70 percent of the visitors hail from the Yangtze River Delta region, where sustained snowfall is a rarity. For many urbanites accustomed to mild winters, a facility like this redefines the season in an environment where natural snow remains elusive.

　　People ski at the Wuxi Bonski ski resort in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua)