New jobs for farmers with winter sports zeal

CHANGCHUN－Winter is traditionally the offseason for farmers in northeastern China, as the region witnesses freezing temperatures.

However, Li Guofu, a farmer from Beisanjiazi village in Jilin province, is having a rather busy time these days serving guests at a ski field he has run for several years.

The 10-hectare venue usually receives around 200 skiers a day during the peak season. Li hires more than 30 fellow villagers to help maintain the operation.

Li Qianyu has worked as a ski instructor for four years. "We work here three months every winter," he said. "It's good to have this opportunity to earn some extra money."

Ice and snow sports have brought about sweeping changes to the lives of local farmers. Li Zhongshan, who works as a safety patroller at the ski field, said he can earn at least 10,000 yuan ($1,570) from this temporary job.

The ongoing 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games have spurred enthusiasm for skiing this winter and the field has been swarming with visitors. The number of visitors has easily surpassed 1,000 each day since early this month, and the opening hours of the ski field have been extended into the evening, Li Guofu said.

Known as the coldest place in China, the border city of Mohe in neighboring Heilongjiang province has also seen an increasing number of tourists in recent years due to booming ice and snow tourism.

Beiji village is a must-see destination in Mohe, as it is home to China's northernmost post office. It also has many homestays, offering tourists a pleasant outing.

"We have organized activities such as skiing and curling at the homestay to create a sporting ambiance for the ongoing Olympics," said Shi Ruijuan, a villager who has been running a homestay for over a decade. Two snowmen representing Bing Dwen Dwen and Shuey Rhon Rhon, the mascots for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, have been built at the homestay, complementing the joyful atmosphere.

There are over 300 homestays and more than 100 restaurants in the village, Shi said, adding that the local economy is gaining steam because of ice and snow tourism.

Xinhua