Competitors set off in the 21st China Changchun Jingyuetan Vasaloppet International Ski Festival, on Jan 4. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

A major event on the international skiing calendar – the 21st China Changchun Jingyuetan Vasaloppet International Ski Festival – opened to great fanfare in Changchun, capital city of Northeast China's Jilin province, on Jan 4.

Vasaloppet China, having now been held over 20 times, is the largest and most influential annual winter sports event in China.

For this year's session, the route has been laid out at Changchun Jingyuetan Ski Resort. Participants will complete the competition in three groups in courses that stretch 50 kilometers, 25 km and 2.5 km.

Participants hit the slopes during the international ski festival, on Jan 4. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

A total of 11 activities in the four major categories will be held – Vasaloppet skiing events, the China-Russia Youth Winter Games, themed festivals and exhibitions and a winter agricultural expo. The program is scheduled to run to Feb 28.

Three events, including 32 km and 16 km cross-country skiing races, were held on Jan 4. They attracted the participation of more than 330 professional athletes and ski enthusiasts in 19 teams from Jilin, Hebei and Gansu provinces and other regions.

Wang Qiang from Chongqing and Chi Chunxue from Heilongjiang won the men's and women's 32 km long-distance races, respectively. Sun Qinghai from Heilongjiang and Li Lei from Jilin won the men's and women's short-distance 16 km races, respectively.

Changchun Jingyuetan Ski Resort is known as Changchun's "ski resort in the city". The ski trail, with its suitable slope, is very friendly for beginners and experienced enthusiasts alike. 

Competitors go full out during a race on Jan 4. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]