On January 4, 2023, the Vasaloppet China Changchun Jingyuetan International Ski Festival 2023 opened, and more than 330 professional athletes and ski enthusiasts from 19 teams participated in the competition.

"The Vasaloppet China Changchun Jingyuetan International Ski Festival 2023 is now opening!" Zhang Zhijun, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Jilin Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Changchun Municipal Committee, said in Jingyue Snow World of Jingyuetan National Forest Park on the morning of January 4, with which the annual Vasaloppet, ice and snow feast, officially opened. Wang Zhihou, Director of the Standing Committee of the CPC Changchun Municipal People's Congress, Mayor Wang Zilian, and Li Longxi, Chairman of the CPPCC Changchun Committee, were present.

Jingyuetan National Forest Park in winter is a dreamlike ice and snow world with snowy trees and ice flowers and falling snow.

At 10 am, with the sound of starting gun, athletes and ski enthusiasts started from Jingyue Snow World, swinging their poles and crossing through the forest and ice of Jingyuetan, enjoying the speed and excitement of skiing in the vast forest and snow. This year's competition includes three professional events: Vasaloppet cross-country skiing with a long distance of 32km, Vasaloppet cross-country skiing with a short distance of 16km, and Vasaloppet mass cross-country skiing with a mini distance of 2.5km. The skiing track has been modified for this competition and all races will be completed in the Park. The 16km skiing track will bring better sports experience to the participants.

At the opening ceremony, Deputy Mayor Zhao Xian, on behalf of the CPC Changchun Municipal Committee and Changchun Municipal Government, delivered a speech to welcome athletes from afar and guests from all walks of life. He said that after 21 years of careful cultivation, Vasaloppet China has won the National Winter Sports Tourism Boutique Events, China's Top 10 Ice and Snow Tourism Festivals, and Ten Achievements in the 40th Anniversary of Opening-up, becoming an ice and snow feast attracting global attention. The city of Changchun actively responds to General Secretary Xi Jinping's call of "300 Million People to Participate in Ice and Snow Sports", thoroughly implements the development concept of "Ice and Snow Are Also Invaluable Assets" and continues to promote the transformation from "cold resources" to "hot economy" by relying on the advantages of ice and snow. We will seize the opportunities for the development of the ice and snow economy in the "Post-Winter Olympics era", give full play to the leading effect of international brand competition, and accelerate the development of the ice and snow industries such as ice and snow tourism, ice and snow sports, ice and snow culture, and ice and snow equipment, so as to develop the more prosperous economy and a happier life for Changchun citizens.

Zhao Ming, Jiang Baozhong, Zhao Xingrui from the Publicity Department of the CPC Jilin Provincial Committee, Jilin Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, Jilin Provincial Sport Bureau, responsible comrades of municipal departments and Jingyue High-tech Zone, journalists and the general public and tourists participated in the activity.