The China-Russia-Mongolia Cross-Country Skiing Event kicked off in Yakeshi on June 17, attracting hundreds of skiers to experience the winter sport during the summer.

The skiing event, held from June 17 to 23, is being hosted in the Phoenix Hill area—a habitat with abundant forests, lakes, and wildlife. 

Yakeshi is known as an ideal skiing location for its five-month-long snowfall period. It usually has a heat-supply phase lasting over seven months, and its annual average temperature is below 2.5 C.

In recent years, Yakeshi has sought out ways of promoting local tourism, such as off-season skiing. This is the fourth time Yakeshi has held summer skiing races thanks to storing winter snow and man-made snow.

A girl from Russia skis during a race as part of the China-Russia-Mongolia Cross-Country Skiing Event held in Yakeshi, Hulunbuir League, Inner Mongolian autonomous region on June 17. [Photo/nmgnews.com.cn]

A participant skis during a race as part of the China-Russia-Mongolia Cross-Country Skiing Event held in Yakeshi, Hulunbuir League, Inner Mongolian autonomous region on June 17. [Photo/chinanews.com]

Participants compete during a race as part of the China-Russia-Mongolia Cross-Country Skiing Event held in Yakeshi, Hulunbuir League, Inner Mongolian autonomous region on June 17. [Photo/chinanews.com]