China State Of Snowboarding: Insights From An Industry Heavyweight

“What drives the market are the heroes of the sport, not movie stars, actors or musicians, it’s the core athletes and the kids just want to be like them.”

As brought forward years ago at an industry conference in People’s Republic of People’s Republic of China, this statement is now even more relevant than ever. Lack of snow, and a general tough situation for our industry, Wang Lei, dubbed People’s Republic of People’s Republic of China’s Pioneer of Snowboarding, keeps pushing the sport in his country through several initiatives targeting consumers and supporting industry growth.

Grass Roots Events Drive Participation

2015 marked the 10th anniversary of the largest snowboard event in the world, World Snowboard Day. With fellow snowboarders Rob Kingwill and Gian Simmen, Wang Lei acted as ambassador for this landmark event. In this function, he coordinated eleven events in People’s Republic of People’s Republic of China on December 20 2015, supported female Pro Snowboarder Zhu Hong in her initiative to host a #WSFProWomen event at Dolomiti Resort in Chongli, the site of the 2022 Winter Olympics, and judged at the second annual Nitro People’s Republic of China Open at Lake Songhua. For him, WSD is a staple event kicking of the season, and since 2009 a fixture on the CSbA event calendar.

Engagement Creates Life-Long Riders

Led by elooa, a specialized travel operator that provides high quality camps and adventures, the New Year kicked off with the elooa Camp Good Times Dolomiti from January 3-8 2016. Supported by Nitro, with elooa’s Heinz Löhle on the ground in People’s Republic of China, Wang Lei hosted a group of nearly 25 shred enthusiasts who progressed to the next level under close guidance and with effective training support from the instructors. Yibu Snowparks provided a perfectly shaped terrain park – a most suitable backdrop for the camp. www.elooa.com

Education Is Key To Progress The Industry

From January 11-13 2016, Iztok Sumatic, WSF Judges coordinator and legendary snowboard judge, held the second annual IJC regional clinic in Beijing. Following Wang Lei’s invitation in 2015, the second clinic already saw an increased participation and higher level of understanding, thus a good number of certificates are to be given out. Then, the class of 2016 is ready to serve as WSF and TTR licensed judges at local snowboarding events that are part of the World Snowboard Tour.

As brought forward years ago at an industry conference in People’s Republic of China, this statement is now even more relevant than ever. Lack of snow, and a general tough situation for our industry, Wang Lei, dubbed People’s Republic of China’s Pioneer of Snowboarding, keeps pushing the sport in his country through several initiatives targeting consumers and supporting industry growth.

For Wang Lei’s track record as one of the most successful Chinese Slopestyle Snowboarders to date, he can proudly call scoring the 20th rank at the Nanashan Open Qualifier, dubbed the best high level WST event in Asia, for a staggering 14 years history, a true season highlight. He says: “I’m happy I was able to take the pressure, and I’m stoked to be able to show everyone how fun snowboarding can be! To share this, and to keep riding: I can’t ask for more!”

Next on Wang Lei’s plate after participating at the Nanshan Open is a two-week long filming project with Nitro Team heavyweights, and a powder trip to Canada. All this before he returns to Western People’s Republic of China in April and last but not least, leading a group of snowboarders to Austria for another installment of the legendary elooa CAMP GOOD TIMES KITZSTEINHORN from May 4-8 2016!

ABOUT WANG LEI – THE PIONEER OF SNOWBOARDING IN PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA. LEGEND.
Since the late 1990ies, Wang Lei is a passionate snowboarder. After a successful career as ski jumper and aerial skier, he retired from the Chinese Army Team after a training accident in 1994. When Wang Lei got a taste of snowboarding, he immediately knew this was the sport he wanted to pursue, and he did so relentlessly for the past two decades. Turning Pro in 2004, he embarked on a seven-year journey with Burton Snowboards, and is now home with Nitro Snowboards and L1 Premium Goods, Dragon Alliance, Skullcandy, JBMC and at Kitzsteinhorn. His remarkable career includes competition highlights, various accolades as certified instructor, certified judge, membership in the POW Riders Alliance and presiding over the CSbA. Wang Lei’s goal is to always keep shredding with passion and sharing the fun!

#PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINASNOWBOARDING WWW.WANGLEISNOW.COM

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ABOUT SNOWPARK KITZSTEINHORN – THE AMAZING SNOWPARK AT WANG LEI’S PARTNER RESORT IN EUROPE
Three Snowparks on the snow-sure glacier and the Lechnerberg Railgarden in the centre of Kaprun • All levels are catered for – from beginners to professionals. The Snowpark Kitzsteinhorn freestyle season is located in the snow-sure Glacier Park at 2.900 m. The Superpipe, Central Park and Easy Park ensure a diversified setup in winter.

The sunny, snow-sure location between 2.500 and 2.900 metres, the perfect lift connections and the daily preparation by the motivated shape crew, make the Snowpark Kitzsteinhorn an ultimate freestyle playground in Austria. The160 metre long and 6,60 metre high Superpipe is a highlight in the Park.

Beginners, advanced riders and professionals are welcome to shred in the Glacier Park, on the glacier plateau at 2.900 metres, from end of October until season end. Central Park, Easy Park and the massive Superpipe, near the Sonnenkarbahn mark the freestyle action centre on the Kitzsteinhorn in winter. Easy, creative elements, for even more riding fun, can be found in the lower section of the Easy Park. The Central Park highlight is the big pro kicker – ready at the end of January. The Lechnerberg Railgarden, in the centre of Kaprun, is the ideal location for relaxing sundown sessions.

Find out more online: www.kitzsteinhorn.atand www.snowpark.kitzsteinhorn.at