"In the icy world of Harbin, children have a deep bond with ice skating and skiing from a young age," said skating coach Chen Ping. "Many students can glide on the ice and dash through the snow effortlessly, often without much guidance or training."
In conjunction with the Games, a series of youth activities are being held until March.
Over 400 ice rinks will be built in primary and secondary schools throughout the city, alongside nearly 150 cross-country skiing courses at schools with suitable conditions.
Moreover, classes in ice skating, skiing, ice hockey and curling have been organized, as well as other fun winter sports activities, like snow soccer matches.
Drawing inspiration
In early January, around 100 sculptors and workers spent more than 20 days constructing an ice sculpture of the CNS Liaoning aircraft carrier on the frozen Songhua River in Harbin.
