Novel indoor ice climbing center opens in Chengdu

An indoor ice climbing center recently opened in Chengdu Future Science and Technology City in Sichuan province, bringing the extreme sport into an urban setting for the first time in the country.

The facility, named Ice Panda, is designed with multiple difficulty levels. Ice climbers of varying skill can choose from a 60-degree gentle slope, a 79-degree steep slope, and a 90-degree vertical ice wall.

"In the past, we could only chase icefalls in western Sichuan during winter," said a climber surnamed Li, who traveled from nearby Chongqing. "Now, with this indoor facility in Chengdu, we can train all year round."

Li Changbin, general manager of Ice Panda, said that since trial operations began in October last year, they have spent months gathering feedback from customers and professional climbers on how to optimize the facility. The advice they've received has helped them improve the quality of their ice wall and slope design so that even beginners can enjoy an authentic outdoor ice climbing experience.

The facility has partnered with renowned sports brands to host exchange meetings and collaborated with professional ice climbers to offer public classes. "A series of brand collaborations and community events is already in the pipeline," Li said. "Our goal is to transform ice climbing from an extreme sport into a fashionable and healthy lifestyle."