On October 1, 2024, Yuxi City in Yunnan Province kicked off the Yunnan Province Ice and Snow Sports Promotion alongside the inaugural leg of the Roller Skating Open. Nearly 400 participants, including students from local elementary and middle schools, kindergartens, and roller skating clubs across the province, gathered for an energetic showcase of roller skating performances.

Yuxi, known for its pristine rivers, is fondly referred to as “the origin of life,” “hometown of Nie Er,” “hometown of lanterns,” and “highland water town.” In recent years, the city has been focusing on developing three major brands: “highland training destination,” “outdoor sports paradise,” and “year-round sports event haven.” This initiative has led to a burgeoning sports tourism scene that features a wide variety of activities, from water and land to air adventures.

Organized by the Yunnan Provincial Social Sports Guidance Center and the Yuxi Education and Sports Bureau, the event embraced the theme “Joyful Ice and Snow, National Fitness.” The goal was clear: to foster a vibrant winter sports culture in the province and encourage public participation and enthusiasm for ice and snow activities, all while breathing new life into Yunnan’s ice and snow industry.

The roller skating competition consisted of two main categories: speed skating and freestyle skating. Speed skating was divided into timed heats across four groups—toddlers, elementary school, middle school, and an open category—while freestyle skating featured individuals competing in timed events through obstacle courses.

Spectators were treated to a thrilling show as participants raced down the track, their colorful roller skates slicing through the air and creating a dazzling spectacle. The atmosphere buzzed with energy as cheers erupted from the crowd, especially when young skaters showcased their remarkable agility and resilience—falling yet quickly bouncing back up, embodying a commendable fighting spirit.

“The competition was exhilarating! Watching the kids unleash their energy on the rink was such a delight, especially during the National Day holiday—it really adds to the festive vibe,” shared Hong Pihong, a local parent. He expressed a hope for more events of this nature in the future, which would allow families to engage more deeply with these exciting sports and enrich children’s experiences.

In a bid to integrate sports with tourism and urban development, the organizing committee teamed up with the Dahuicaoshan Ski Resort in Quxi City to offer free experience tickets for the 2024-2025 snow season to local youths aged 5 to 14. This initiative drew an impressive turnout of over 1,000 participants.

“When the snow season comes this year, I’ll definitely be heading to the Dahuicaoshan ski resort to enjoy the thrill of gliding through the snow,” remarked Luo Rongtian, a representative from the Pu’er roller skating team.