Located 25 kilometers southwest of Yabuli Town in Shangzhi City and nestled at the northern foot of the Zhangguangcai Range's Guo Kui Mountains, Yabuli Ski Resort (Yabuli Training Base) spans a vast area of 2,255 hectares, with dedicated ski runs covering 118 hectares. The resort has successfully hosted the 1996 Asian Winter Games, the 24th Winter Universiade in 2009, four national winter sports games, as well as international snow sports events such as the 2010 Snowboard World Cup, the 2015 Snowboard Junior World Championships, and the 2016 Snowboard World Championships.
Ski mountaineering, a trendy sport that emerged in Europe and North America in the 1950s, is a popular winter mountain sport, particularly in countries surrounding the Alps and Pyrenees. Originating from Soviet military patrols, it attracts millions of enthusiasts each year in these regions.
Ski mountaineering differs from traditional winter sports in two primary ways: First, it takes place in natural mountain environments, offering opportunities for individuals to connect with nature and embrace a back-to-basics lifestyle. Second, it involves climbing and using specialized skiing equipment, fostering technical skills, teamwork, self-challenge, and individual expression. These characteristics align with contemporary societal trends and hold significant appeal for modern people.
The 9th Asian Winter Games in 2025 will host ski mountaineering competitions at the Yabuli Sports Training Base.
The ski mountaineering events will include men's and women's short distance races, as well as a mixed relay. Competitions will be held from February 10th to 14th, with the men's short distance on February 10th, the women's short distance on February 11th, and the mixed relay on February 14th, resulting in a total of three gold medals. The venue is designed to accommodate 80 athletes and 80 technical personnel.
The 2025 Asian Winter Games ski mountaineering competition will utilize the M7 and M8 ski runs owned by Yabuli Tourism Investment, with maintenance provided by the Yabuli Sports Training Base. Specifically located north of the beginner slopes at the Yabuli Snow Sports Training Base, the course is designed in a Y-shape. The ski mountaineering venue was officially confirmed on December 2, 2023, after a site inspection by experts from the National Mountaineering Center, appointed by the General Administration of Sport of China. On August 7, 2024, the Secretary-General of the Asia Ski Mountaineering Federation, the Technical Delegate of the 9th Asian Winter Games, and the Head of the Ski Mountaineering Department of the General Administration of Sport of China conducted a follow-up inspection and confirmed the technical data and construction of the venue. The starting elevation is 580 meters, with a track width of 25-60 meters. The turning point elevation for the short distance M8 course is 650 meters, with a vertical gain of 70 meters. For the mixed relay, the turning point elevations for the M7 and M8 courses are 640 meters and 650 meters respectively, resulting in a total vertical gain of 130 meters.