The inauguration ceremony of China Ski Resorts Association was held at Changbaishan Luneng Resort in Baishan city, Northeast China's Jilin province on Dec 21.

China Ski Resorts Association is founded at Changbaishan Luneng Resort in Baishan city, Northeast China's Jilin province on Dec 21. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

First of its kind in China, the association has included 60 ski resorts from 14 provinces, cities and regions across China, including Jilin, Beijing, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Gansu and Hunan.

Jointly initiated by the Jilin Department of Culture and Tourism, Jilin Sports Bureau and the National Ice and Snow Tourism Talents Training Center, the association aims to further promote China's ice and snow industry.

Jilin has been a strong player in China's winter sports scene for a long time, due to its high-quality facilities and rich snow and ice resources. Statistics from the Jilin Department of Culture and Tourism shows that the province received nearly 62 million tourists between November 2016 and March 2017. Tourism revenue during the period hit 116 billion yuan ($16.72 billion), a surge of 27.12 percent year-on-year.

The association has included 60 ski resorts from 14 provinces, cities and regions across China. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Ski resorts across Jilin province, including Miaoxiangshan Ski Resort, Beidahu Ski Resort and Songhuahu Ski Resort, have opened for business since Nov 11, with diverse activities and celebrations prepared for this year's winter season, which lasts from November to March next year.

The 3rd China (Jilin) International Ice and Snow Tourism Industry Expo and the 22nd China Changchun Ice and Snow Festival are currently ongoing in Changchun, capital of the province from Dec 21 to 25.

People ski at the Songhuahu Ski Resort in Jilin city, Jilin province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]