"Summer skiing is a distinguished feature of Mt. Changbai tourism, and people are enabled to ski 8 months in a year, which is almost unique in China," said a local official in Yanbian on Friday.

Hou Changsen, the deputy director of the Tourism Bureau of Mt. Changbai Reserve Development Administration Committee, said so at the press conference of the first "Vatternrundan-Mt. Changbai Summer Skiing Festival" held in Mt. Changbai Reserve.

"Anti-season tourism is the fashion these years in China. For those demanding it, they can even ski here in June. When the temperatures in most cities have reached 30 degree Celsius, you can still see snow on the main peak of Mt. Changbai, which certainly bears a lot of potential for further development in tourism. People who come here can enjoy the unique landscape of blossoms and snow at the same time, " said Hou.

Based on Changbai's seasonal trait, said Hou, the Administration Committee decides to blend the tourist products of summer and winter, introduces the Swedish brand "Vatternrundan" into China, and creates the unparalleled summer skiing site in Mt. Changbai.

Hou said: "Every year from late October to next June, people can ski in the mountain, except that snow conditions in June is only suitable for professionals. Right now we are planning to include the period from July to October into the 'ski season', and thus enable people to ski for a whole year, but it is rather a difficult task for sure."

(Xinhua News Agency June 16, 2007)