French firm, ski school to create China Ski Academy

PARIS - The French-based tourism company Club Med and French Ski School (ESF), one of the world's biggest ski schools, have signed an agreement for the creation of the "China Ski Academy", the two institutions said in a statement on Thursday.

The first two pilots of the China Ski Academy will open in January near Beijing, the largest ski market in China, and southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on the eve of the Chinese New Year, flagship period of winter sports in China, the statement said.

Following a partnership with the Chinese ski resorts, Club Med will organize a pre-season training with the ESF instructors. Then, throughout the season, an ESF monitor will oversee the implementation of learning. This device will be subject to certification "China Ski Academy" at the end of the season and Club Med and ESF will intervene "as consultants of Chinese ski schools".

Club Med and ESF are already present in China since in 2010, when Club Med opened the first mountain resort in Yabuli, the largest ski resort in China located in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang, in partnership with the ESF.

In 2016, Club Med opened a second mountain resort in Beidahu, in northeastern China's province of Jilin.

It aims to open a third mountain resort in Thaiwoo on the site of the Beijing Olympic Games. "With this next opening, Club Med wants to strengthen in China and Asia its place as world leader in mountain holidays," said the French tourism company.

Today, China has seen robust development in winter sports as the country makes preparations for hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.