On January 27, standing atop the Huya Ski Resort at an elevation of approximately 2,400 meters, Liu Yu took a deep breath and adjusted the angle of his skis. Before him lay an expansive snow run, while behind him stretched the snow-capped peaks of the Min Mountains. This skiing enthusiast from Guangyuan made a special trip by car to Huya Tibetan Township in Pingwu County solely to experience the unique thrill of skiing amidst high mountains and deep canyons. "This is completely different from the past winter experiences here, which were just about viewing the ice waterfalls."
The Huya Ski Resort commenced trial operations on January 21 in Huya Tibetan Township, Pingwu County, Mianyang. Its first weekend immediately saw a tourism surge, with thousands of visitors enjoying the pleasures of skiing and family-friendly snow play, their laughter breaking the valley's usual silence. Liu Ming, General Manager of Pingwu Culture and Tourism Group Co., remarked with feeling, "In the past, winter tourists mostly came here to 'view the snow,' taking a photo and leaving. Now, we are inviting everyone to 'play in the snow'."
The emergence of a completely new way to experience local ice and snow resources is the most notable change in Pingwu County this winter. The shift from "viewing" to "playing," a change of a single word, represents Pingwu's new exploration into revitalizing its ice and snow assets and creating novel consumption scenarios.
The birth of the Huya Ski Resort stems from unique natural endowments and professional development. Located deep within the Huya Grand Canyon, the resort benefits from the Min Mountains' high altitude and low temperatures, which provide natural snowfall conditions. Supplemented by artificial snowmaking, the site offers superior conditions for seasonal ice and snow activities. Construction began in June of last year with a total investment of approximately 150 million yuan and was completed in just six months. The first phase features ski runs covering a total area of about 80,000 square meters, equipped with a visitor center, play snow areas, cable cars, magic carpets, and over a thousand sets of imported skiing equipment.
"The ski resort is nestled deep in the canyon, backed by snow-capped mountains and facing a sea of clouds. The scenery changes with every turn while skiing, offering a unique experience," said Li Haibin, General Manager of Huya Ski Resort, who has been involved in the construction and operation of several large ski resorts within the province, highlighting what sets this location apart. "The scale and slope of its advanced runs are among the best in the southwestern region, capable of catering to both general public and professional needs." Currently, a 200-plus-meter beginner's run is open, with intermediate and 600-plus-meter advanced runs scheduled to open successively before the Spring Festival. Upon full operation, the resort's maximum daily capacity will reach 3,000 people.
In the adjacent Huya Grand Canyon, the magnificent ice waterfall clusters are currently at their prime viewing period. "We are not simply building a ski resort," Liu Ming stated. "The core idea is to transform scenic views into interactive experiences, combining the mountains, canyons, ice waterfalls with sports to extend the enjoyment of ice and snow."
The "cold resources" are visibly transforming into a "hot economy." During the first operational weekend, the villages at the foot of the mountains became noticeably more active. Tian Xi, Deputy Party Secretary of Huya Tibetan Township, reported that many surrounding villagers have converted their houses into homestays, with the township now offering over a thousand beds. "Local specialties like cured meat and honey are selling well, and more job opportunities are available right at our doorstep." He anticipates that by 2026, the comprehensive tourism income for Huya Tibetan Township alone could exceed 30 million yuan.
The novelty also manifests in an open, interconnected approach. With the opening of the Jiuzhai-Mianyang Expressway, Pingwu's integration into the Greater Jiuzhaigou Tourism Loop has become smoother. The Huya Ski Resort is actively seeking "partnerships," having established mechanisms for tourist sharing and route promotion with famous scenic spots in Aba Prefecture like Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong, as well as local cultural and tourism resources in Mianyang, such as Zitong and Jiangyou. "The ice and snow experiences here can enrich tourists' itineraries," Liu Ming said, adding that Pingwu has also launched a direct tourist bus service from Mianyang city to the county town. Holders of scenic area tickets can ride for free, solving the challenge of the "first mile" of transportation.
"The operation of the ski resort addresses the weakness in winter tourism for Pingwu and even Mianyang, providing a high-quality, experience-oriented ski destination in northwestern Sichuan," stated a relevant official from the Pingwu County Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau. Another ski resort, Yaocong Mountain, focusing primarily on beginner and intermediate runs, is also set to open this year, further shifting winter tourism from snow viewing and scenery appreciation to ice and snow sports experiences. "Located at the junction of Sichuan, Gansu, and Shaanxi provinces, the Pingwu ski resorts have an operational season lasting up to four months and have the potential to become a new destination for skiing enthusiasts from the Southwest, Northwest, and Central China regions."
Snow season tourism is merely the prelude. Huya Tibetan Township boasts seas of azalea blooms in spring, opportunities for canyoning and rock climbing in summer, and vibrant autumn foliage. Liu Ming indicated that, under the precondition of ecological protection, plans are also in place for light adventure projects such as high-altitude outdoor activities, sunrise camping, and trekking, aiming to build a year-round mountain tourism destination featuring "flower viewing in spring, summer escape from heat, leaf appreciation in autumn, and snow play in winter."
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