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Beijing's National Stadium will become home to winter sport activites for the public as the city prepares for the 2022 Winter Olympics.
The eighth Happy Ice and Snow Carnival will engage fans in a multi-sport outdoor event, starting Dec 17 at the National Stadium, better known as the Bird's Nest.
Visitors can try winter sports including skiing, skating, ice hockey and sleds in a 70,000 square meter area inside and outside of the stadium.
"Since Beijing won the rights to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, the public enthusiasm for winter sports and recreation has increased a lot," stadium senior manager Li Zhiqun said. "We are committed to cater the growing interests by upgrading our facilities and services."
As the main stadium for the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics and proposed venue for the 2022 Winter Olympics' opening ceremony, the Bird's Nest has become an accessible ice and snow entertainment destination in winter as the number of visitors to the carnival rises every year.
Initiated at the renovated Bird's Nest in 2009, the carnival has attracted more than 1.4 million visitors.
This year's carnival features a fun zone including ice slope rush and ice hockey clinics mainly for children. There will also be man-made skiing trails in the north square and a skating rink at the southern end outside the stadium.
For the first time, an ice rink has been dedicated for curling practice.
Organisers hope virtual reality skiing simulators will attract more visitors.
The stadium has also landed a series of high-level competitions including the International Ski Federation Freestyle Skiing World Cup and the Air and Style Snowboarding Contest.
The carnival is open 10-9pm every day until Feb 26. Adult tickets cost 120 yuan ($17) on weekdays and 160 yuan on weekends. Children under 12 are free.
