The “Austrian Winter Sports Days 2025” took place at the famous venue of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and proved to serve as a valuable platform for fostering exchange and strengthening cooperation between the Austrian and Chinese snow and ice economies. The conference on February 21st brought experts from both countries together to discuss the future of the winter sports sector in China and Austria and how to learn from each other.
Austria has a strong reputation for winter sports and has been developing the sector for over 100 years. The country is largely covered by the Alps and has become one of Europe's top skiing destinations. Austria has already hosted the Winter Olympics twice. Beyond tourism, Austria is a global leader in winter sports technology, with numerous Austrian companies leading the way in areas such as suppliers for ski infrastructure (e.g. cable cars, access control, slope lighting), winter sports equipment (e.g. skis, clothes) and expertise (e.g. ski teaching training, resort and slope development). Did you know that every second ski worldwide carries Austrian DNA?
China´s speed of developing the winter sports sector is astonishing. The country invested heavily in the snow and ice economy, especially in regards to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. With a large number of ski resorts, the country is rapidly expanding its ski infrastructure — often with Austrian technology and expertise.
The Austrian Winter Sports Days conference was inaugurated by Dr. Andreas Riecken, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to China, together with Ye Dahua, Mayor of Yanqing District People's Government of Beijing Municipality, Franz Roessler, Commercial Counselor at the Austrian Embassy in Beijing and Yin Na, Deputy General Manager of Beijing Enterprises Group Company Limited.
The conference featured keynote speeches about the winter sports sector in both countries. Erik Riegler, Cooperation and Relationship Development Manager of the Austrian National Tourist Office in Vienna highlighted the trend in Austria to broaden winter tourism to non-skiers as well, offering snow walking, winter markets, culinary and wellness experiences for example. Zhang Li, Co-President of the Asia Digital Group, reported on the fast growth of the Chinese sector around the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and how indoor ski halls in China are becoming popular as well. In the panel discussions, business and industry experts from China and Austria pointed out the needs to develop the sector sustainably and how innovation and diversification could enrich the customers’ winter experience.
The Austrian Winter Sports Days 2025 were rounded up with networking sessions including the exclusive "Tirol Gala Dinner" which provided guests with the opportunity to enjoy a festive traditional Tyrolean/Austrian atmosphere.
Around 200 representatives from business, administration and media attended the Austrian Winter Sports Days 2025. The fruitful exchange was enabled by generous sponsors including HEAD Sport GmbH, Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH, Tirol Tourist Board, Oetz Valley Tourist Board, St. Anton am Arlberg Tourist Board, Innsbruck Tourist Board, Swarovski Crystal Worlds and many more.
