Snowsports Growing Rapidly in Asia
10th February 2025
Last modified on February 18th, 2025
The 9th edition of the Asian Winter Games has taken place with the next one in Saudi Arabia in 2029. The Games reflect the continued growth in snowsports on the continent. PlanetSKI reports from Asia. UPDATED
Skiing and snowboarding continues to grow, fueled by the legacy of the 2022 Beijing Olympics in the region.
Under the motto ‘Dream of Winter, Love among Asia’ the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, opened the ninth edition of the multi-sport event in Harbin, China.
The Asian Games is a continental multi-sport event held every four years for athletes of Asia.
It reflects the growth in snowsports in the region and is going from strength to strength.
China has a goal of getting 300 million Chinese citizens to take part in winter sports, as part of a strategy to consolidate the country as a leader in the industry.
- Skiing continues to boom in China
- World’s largest indoor ski centre opens in China
- China claims success as it tries to get 300m to ski & snowboard
Some analysts see Asia as the largest future growth market for global snowsports, with the European and North American markets perhaps at saturation point.
Big names likes Club Med and the Philippines hotel chain, Hotel 101, have already moved into in Japan.
Club Med has a huge presence in the resort of Kirorpwith the Club Med Kiroro Grand that opened in 2023.
It has 266 rooms and is a sign of growing international interest in the area.
Hokkaido, Japan. Image © PlanetSKI
Hokkaido, Japan. Image © PlanetSKI
“Here in Japan snowsports are flourishing in what is the busiest time of the season,“ said PlanetSKI editor James Cove from the Hakuba Valley in Japan.
“The slopes are busy and it is hard to get a hotel room and in many resorts here in Japan it is advised to book a restaurant for dinner and the resorts are packed.”
“With overall numbers on the decline in parts of Europe and North America it is great to see snowsports on the rise.”
“Japan has been a strong market for snowsports for many years and it sits in geographical reach of a vast market if skiing and snowboarding develops in Asia over the next decades.”
James Cove in the Hakuba Valley, Japan. Image © PlanetSKI
The Hakuba Valley, Japan. Image © PlanetSKI
Last winter James was skiing in Turkey, the Asian part, to see what it offered:
Skiing in Turkey. Image © PlanetSKI
He has also skied in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates – albeit indoors.
Ski Dubai. Image © PlanetSKI.
There are many venues for skiing in the vast continent of Asia – Japan, South Korea and China are the main ones.
Then there is Kazakhstan Azerbaijan, Iran and Kashmir.
All are in their infancy compared to Europe and North America, but local interest is growing and their long-term future is on the up.
More than 8.000 spectators gathered for the Asian Winter Games and it was attended by the International Olympic Committee President, Thomas Bach.
Plus regional Asian leaders such as the Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, and the Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.
Make no mistake their attendance is a sign of the growth in snowsports on the continent and the importance governments are placing on it.
The 2025 Asian Winter Games has a record participation with a list of 1.270 athletes.
It surpasses the previous figure recorded in the Sapporo, Japan edition in 2017, which reached 1.147 competitors.
This year, Saudi Arabia and Cambodia sent delegations for the first time to the event that hosts speed skating, short track speed skating, curling, skiing, and snowboarding.
Saudi Arabia is set to host the next Asian Games in 2029.
It has been officially handed the flag from the Olympic Council of Asia after the 9th edition of the Asian Games ended.
The tenth edition of the multi-sport event in 2029, which will take place at the Trojena complex, located in the futuristic city of Neom.
It will mark the first time a West Asian country will be organising the event.
The sports complex, which could be completed by 2026, was launched by Bin Salman and is part of his programme to reform the country, called Vision 2030.
The facilities will host tournaments such as downhill skiing, snowboarding, and alpine racing.
There will be an ice sports arena for competitions like ice hockey, figure skating, and curling.
The 2029 Asian Winter Games will feature a total of 47 events, consisting of 28 snow competitions and 19 ice competitions.
It is events like these that promote the sport, thus encouraging participation and interest.
The International Ski Federation, FIS, is expanding its events.
The FIS Freestyle Asian Cup is entering a phase of expansion and stability, marked by a refreshed calendar, new leadership, and groundbreaking venues.
FIS wants the circuit to become a cornerstone of freestyle skiing in the region.
Here at PlanetSKI we will be continuing to watch the development of the snowsport market in Asia with interest.
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