Six ski resorts in suburban Beijing hosted the capital city's snow and ice festival Sunday. All of the resorts are offering skiing, skating and sleigh- riding.

The international ski resort in Huairou has a 3,100-meter-long slope with a fall of 238 meters. More than 20 professionals are there ready to give coaching.

Sponsored by the Beijing Tourism Bureau and seven district and county governments, the festival also includes snow hunting and an ice lantern show.

"Snow tourism," which features skiing and other ice and snow activities, first made a hit in China last winter and is expected to boost the economy in snow-covered areas.

( People's Daily December 24, 2001)