An ice skating competition opens in Baotou, Inner Mongolia, on Jan 16. [Photo/baotounews.com.cn]

A number of ice and snow events have been launched in Baotou, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, after the national ice and snow season kicked off in the city, according to local media reports.

The various activities, including an ice hockey open championship, a youth speed skating open championship, ice dragon boat shows and an international skiing event, will run until the end of February. 

Participants are photographed during the event, Jan 16. [Photo/baotounews.com.cn]

Baotou has few natural ice and snow resources, but because it is located at 40 degrees north latitude, and the lakes and water systems in the city are relatively developed, it is easy to develop places for ice and snow sports during the winter.

With these favorable conditions, Baotou has explored and developed its ice and snow industry, popularized ice and snow culture, and organized national ice and snow fitness activities to stimulate the enthusiasm of residents for winter sports.

This year's ice and snow season adopts a combination of online and offline models, with contestants ranging from five or six-year-old kids to elderly people in their eighties. [Photo/baotounews.com.cn]