No snow, but there they go

2017-07-19 06:47

By (China Daily)

Enthusiasts try out the new snowless ski slopes at the Olympic Forest Park during a recent test run of the facility. WANG JIE/FOR CHINA DAILY

"It feels so real, although the speed is not as fast as on real snow," said Zhang Bing, a snowboarder who also participated in a test run in late June. "But to be able to ski in summer in the city without traveling far to the outskirts is pretty cool."

At the core of the dry ski technology is the detachable artificial surface made of plastic bristles, which provide slope lubrication and a degree of friction that allows skiers to perform turns and jumps. The surface could be recycled and reassembled at other venues, Sinolym said.

"Theoretically, skiing on this mat feels 90 percent like riding on natural snow in terms of slipperiness and the coefficient of friction, but with better accessibility and less environmental affect," said Li Mingyong, chief executive of Sinolym.