The 24th Vasaloppet China Changchun Jingyuetan International Ski Festival launched today at Jingyuetan National Forest Park. More than a sporting event, it serves as a bridge linking Jilin's ice and snow industry with the world, a shining coordinate that draws global attention to the province.

From Sweden to Changchun: A Century-Spanning Pact of Ice and Snow

The name "Vasaloppet" traces back to a Swedish king. In 1922, to commemorate Gustav Vasa, who led the Swedish people in their struggle for freedom, the inaugural Vasaloppet ski race was born in Sweden. Today, it stands as the world's oldest and largest cross-country skiing event.

As the Vasaloppet continued to grow, the Vasaloppet International Ski Festival officially took root at Changchun's Jingyuetan on March 15, 2003. China thus became the fourth country—after Sweden, the United States, and Japan—to host the Vasaloppet event.

In Jilin, "Vasaloppet" represents far more than speed on ice and snow. It has evolved into a multifaceted gathering that connects tourism, culture, and trade.

More Than a Competition: A Diverse "Ice and Snow+" Platform

The Vasaloppet China Changchun Jingyuetan International Ski Festival Cross-Country Ski Race is the oldest, largest, and most influential skiing event of its kind in China. It is the only Worldloppet Ski Federation series race hosted in China and an international event registered and certified by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS).

The festival features a 50 km Gold Race and a 25 km Silver Race, as well as public-friendly courses of 6 km, 1.5 km, and even 300 m. From elite international athletes to children stepping onto skis for the first time, from corporate teams to students, everyone can find their own track here.

More striking still is that Vasaloppet has long shaken off the single label of "sports competition" and embraced an "Ice and Snow+" model:

Sports + Culture & Tourism: Ski enthusiasts from Worldloppet member countries explore the streets and alleys of Changchun after the race to experience the distinctive charm of the northern spring city.

Sports + Commerce: Renowned Swedish outdoor brands leverage the Vasaloppet platform to reach Chinese consumers, turning the ice-and-snow economy into a "platinum industry" in a real sense.

Sports + Diplomacy: Diplomats to China and officials from international organizations gather here, making Vasaloppet a living "reception hall" for China-foreign exchanges.

Twenty-Three Years of Growth: From Event to Urban Calling Card

From fewer than 1,000 participants in its early days to more than 10,000 cumulatively, the festival has attracted competitors from 33 countries and driven over one million people to experience skiing firsthand. Its scale has surpassed that of the Vasaloppet events in the United States and Japan. What began as a professional competition has grown into an ice-and-snow carnival spanning the entire winter season—a remarkable "evolution on ice and snow" achieved by Vasaloppet over 23 years.

In 2015, the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games Bid Committee adopted Vasaloppet-related data extensively in its application materials, making the festival an outstanding contributor to Beijing's successful Olympic bid and one of China's key "international ambassadors" for winter sports.

The annual Vasaloppet Economic and Trade Fair has become Changchun's "platinum converter", with more than 300 projects signed to date and contracted investment racking up hundreds of billions of yuan.

The Future Is Here: Higher Standards, Broader Horizons

During the festival, guests from around the world gather in Changchun. People of different cultures and backgrounds share the joy of sport amid ice and snow, bear witness to moments of glory, and forge lasting friendships.

This year's edition is steadily advancing toward higher-level international competition. It will showcase thrilling contests between seasoned veterans and rising stars, engage the public extensively in winter sports, and drive the tangible outcomes of the "Sports+" integrated development model... This winter-long celebration is opening a broader window of opportunity for urban development.

Year after year, the allure of Vasaloppet continues to grow. It is a warm bond linking Jilin with the world and a powerful boost to the surging ice-and-snow economy. This winter, join the Vasaloppet journey and witness the brilliance of Jilin.

Source: Jilin Release  Editor: Liu Jiadi