"Compared with North America and Europe, Japan is a top choice for Chinese ski lovers, as the cost is relatively cheap and it is not far to travel to," he said.

According to Gao, every 10 days a tour group that includes no less than 15 persons will set out for Japan. Most members of these tour groups are young people aged under 30, he added. "Skiing is more attractive to youngsters," he said.

The ski fever has also driven up related businesses, like the sale of ski suits. Nowadays, with the change of concepts, more and more ski lovers in China tend to buy their own ski suits rather than renting them at ski resorts for the sake of hygiene. "My wife and I wear our own ski suits when skiing," Wei said.

Not only ski suits, but other items, such as gloves and glasses, also sell well in China. According to Wei, the prices of ski suits range from hundreds of yuan to several thousand, varying with the difference of quality and brands. A pair of medium-priced foreign brand ski glasses sells for around 1,000 yuan ($143), and a pair of quality ski gloves will also cost several hundred yuan.

"Many ski fans I know input nearly 10,000 yuan ($1,400) on the their outfits," he said, adding that with the development of skiing in China, people would spend more money on this cool sport.

Tian Younian, Director of the CSA, is confident about the future development of public skiing in China. "Ski lovers in Japan number 1.1-1.5 million and they ski three or four times a year, while the skiers in Beijing now make up less than 5 percent of its total population, which is over 16 million," he said in an article in the Beijing Morning Post. He estimated that if 100 million Chinese, or around 8 percent of the total population of China, choose to travel and 10 percent of them go skiing in the northern region, the number of skiers in China will go up to 10 million in the future.

Top 10 Ski Resorts in China

Changbai Ski Park (Jilin Province)

Built on the 16 hills of the Changbai Mountain in northeast China; 1,640-1,820 meters high; suitable for skiing and bathing in hot spring.

Beidahu Ski Park (Jilin Province)

Slopes are smooth, with the main peak being 1,408 meters high; nine hills are higher than 1,200 meters; suitable for riding snowmobiles.

Erlongshan Ski Park (Heilongjiang Province)

Complete service facilities and ideal place for beginners; total length of the track is 1,200 meters, with a 41-meter drop and 15 turns; stunning snow scenery.

Yabuli Ski Resort (Heilongjiang Province)

11 mountain ski tracks with a total length of 27 km and an area of 400,000 square meters; smallest slope of 3 degrees and the average level of the largest slope is 18 degrees, suitable for skilled skiers.

Yulong Snow Mountain Ski Park (Yunnan Province)

4,500-4,700 meters high; covered with snow in all seasons; stunning snow scenery.

Yueliangwan Ski Park (Heilongjiang Province)

Built to the west of the park of snow sculptures and to the south of the northeast tiger park; suitable for skiing, viewing ice lanterns and ice sculptures, and watching northeast tigers.

Shennongjia Ski Park (Hubei Province)

2,000 meters high in south China, suitable for beginners and middle-grade skiers; with a slope of 5 to 15 degrees.

Jingyuetan Ski Park (Jilin Province)

Great landscape, snow scenery and pine trees.

Aershan Ski Park (Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region)

First-class facilities and professional standard tracks, one of the most luxurious ski resorts in China.

Saibei Ski Park (Hebei Province)

7,000 meters long, the ski slopes are suitable for skiers of different skill levels; suitable for skiing and sledding.

(Source: China Sports Daily)