Birthday ski package ignites controversy at Chinese resort

Birthday ski package ignites controversy at Chinese resort (File image)

• A Shenyang ski resort's "ski-carrying" birthday service sparks online debate
• Safety and physical contact concerns arise after viral service video.
• Some praise its novelty; others call it unprofessional or embarrassing.

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The controversy centres on the Northeast Asia Ski Resort in Shenyang, Liaoning province, one of the largest ski complexes in the region. A video posted by a visitor shows a ski instructor dressed in white carrying a female guest on his arms down an outdoor slope while other staff celebrate with balloons, banners and cake in the background. The woman, identified online as Zhao, paid more than 5,000 yuan, about US$700, for the customised birthday package that included the ride down the slope and a spectacle of celebration. The resort has offered this “ski-carrying” service to let non-skiers enjoy the sensation of gliding down snow without needing to know how to ski. Supporters say it is a novel way to mark a special occasion.

But the attention the post has received has not been entirely positive. Once the video started doing the rounds online in China, the reactions came quickly. A lot of people said they were worried about safety. Ski slopes are busy enough as it is, and many questioned how safe it really is to carry someone down a run while other skiers are moving around. Some also said the amount of physical contact between staff and guests felt awkward and crossed the line of what a professional service should look like.

At the same time, not everyone saw it as a problem. A few people said they thought the idea was fun and different, and that resorts need new ways to attract visitors beyond just normal skiing. Others were far less kind, calling the whole thing cheap or embarrassing and saying anyone who actually enjoys skiing would have no interest in this kind of show. Those voices highlighted the difference between mainstream sports culture and entertainment-oriented experiences.

The resort itself has declined to comment in detail, but local reports say that all instructors involved hold professional training and certifications. They emphasise that these activities are optional add-ons for visitors who want a memorable celebration rather than for general ski instruction.

This episode is not the first time unconventional tourism services in China have sparked debate online. Earlier, similar carrying or companion services in outdoor leisure settings drew discussion about physical boundaries and the role of paid experiences in tourism.

As residents and netizens continue to weigh in, the video and its reaction reflect broader conversations about how tourism and social norms intersect in today’s digital age, where even a birthday ski ride can become a flashpoint in public discussion.