by sportswriters Wang Qin'ou, He Leijing and Ma Kai

HARBIN, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- "I've always loved traveling to China because there's always something new to learn."

Jordi Canals Fontan, secretary general of the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF), spoke to Xinhua on a steep slope at the Yabuli Ski Resort, the venue for ski mountaineering at the Harbin Asian Winter Games. The Spanish veteran, with his gray hair, clutched a small notebook packed with notes from the Winter Asiad.

"About the organization and the track quality, you are at a very high level in many areas. These cabins, for example," he said, pointing to the temporary structures by the ski path. "For an outdoors sport like ski mountaineering, such facilities are crucial - offering athletes the chance to warm up and stay warm after the race," he added.

Ski mountaineering is a sport rooted in the travel methods of people living in snowy mountainous regions. Athletes climb uphill with skis either on their feet or on their backs, then ski down the slope as quickly as possible. In 2026, the sport will debut at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. In Harbin, it marked its first appearance at an Asian Winter Games.

As it gains recognition from international multi-sport events, this niche sport is receiving fresh opportunities. When asked for advice on how Asian teams can improve their performance, Fontan replied with a big smile, "Ask China! That's what I want to tell [other Asian teams]."

Ski mountaineering is one of the few winter sports not governed by the International Ski Federation (FIS). Its governing body, the ISMF, split from the International Mountaineering Federation in 2008 and was quickly recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Early ski mountaineers were often expert mountaineers, and Fontan was one of them.

"I've known the Chinese Mountaineering Association since 1983, at Mount Qomolangma. I made many Chinese friends back then, and now they're also running China's ski mountaineering program," Fontan recalled.

"Over the years, whenever we need China to do something, we contact our friends in Asia directly, and if China needs our help, they let us know. This has always been our excellent cooperation," the Spaniard added.

Traditionally, ski mountaineering was only popular in the European Alps and Pyrenees. In 2007, the Chinese Mountaineering Association introduced the sport to China. In December 2017, with the association's efforts, the World Cup season opener took place at the Wanlong Ski Resort in Zhangjiakou, marking the first time the sport's top competition was held outside Europe, a milestone in the globalization of ski mountaineering.

"I totally agree with the direction of globalization. It's not possible for ski mountaineering, mountaineering, or any outdoor sports to stay in just one part of the world," Fontan said. He hopes the sport will enable athletes worldwide to share values of friendship, solidarity, and respect for nature.

"The Olympic Games are drawing people to participate in ski mountaineering right now. We will soon have 55 national members in our federation, and I'm thrilled about the interest the Winter Asian Games are generating," he said, noting that countries like Qatar, Thailand, and Lebanon are now involved.

"For them to participate in the Winter Asian Games was the most important milestone now. It's the first milestone, there will be many more in the future," he said.

At Yabuli, China dominated the competition, sweeping all nine medals with young duo Cidanyuzhen and Buluer both winning two gold medals. Beyond the Asiad, Chinese athlete Suolangquzhen also achieved an eighth place finish in the recent women's sprint at the World Cup in Azerbaijan, the highest rank ever for an Asian athlete.

Fontan says this success stems from China's long-term investment in the sport and its focus on nurturing young talent.

"I'm passionate about ski mountaineering, and I know there are many passionate people here in China," he said. "You've had professional coaches working with young athletes for years with a strong association supporting them behind the scenes."

The Spaniard also expressed his confidence in China's future potential, "I believe more Chinese athletes will reach the finals of our World Cups and World Championships in a very short time. And I'm confident China will qualify for the 2026 Olympic Games."

The Harbin Winter Asian Games was the first continental winter sports event to feature ski mountaineering outside Europe. Unlike the World Cup and World Championships, which include long-distance individual races in wild snow environments, multi-sport events typically focus on sprint races and mixed relays, which usually take place in snow resorts.

According to Fontan, this is to reduce the difficulty of organizing and the risk for new countries and regions.

"When I practiced skimo more than 50 years ago, it was a very challenging scenario. Some of my friends died. That's what ski mountaineering was like," he said, emphasizing that becoming an excellent long-distance athlete requires starting at a young age and mastering outdoor survival skills.

"The risks are completely different from indoors sports, which is why we decided to shift to ski resorts," he said, adding that while the ISMF still values events in wilderness, sprint races are undoubtedly more suitable for promoting the sport into new nations at this stage.

For Fontan, the Winter Asian Games represents an ideal format for ski mountaineering in multi-sport events. "I've been to many events. Sometimes I'm really amazed at how China can organize such a perfect one," he said.

Asked about future collaborations between the ISMF and China, the veteran flashed a mysterious smile.

"That's a secret," he smiled, before changing the subject. "I always come for work. It's a pity. If I ever retire, I might come back to China as just a regular friend." Enditem