Singaporean Entrepreneurs

It is an understatement to say that Beijing is cold these days. After seven years of travelling here every Fall season, we’ve never experienced snow. In fact, the capital has not seen snow this early since the early 1980′s and that was also a fluke. The trees didn’t even get a chance to turn colours as the cold snap sent their leaves to the ground earlier than expected with wind chills seizing our bones and making the -4 feel like -11c. It’s a good thing the glowing sun makes the afternoons warm enough to walk around for a while.

BLACK AS SNOW
The snow has definitely cleared up the extremely polluted air though and as white as the snow is when it first settles, its black as oil when it melts into sludge. Whether its on the extremely dirty streets or from the rooftops, once the snow melts and the droplets fall on you, it’s time to get yourself cleaned up and pronto! I was wondering why my friend’s bag had all these huge black spots and splatters – and I mean, black- until I realized her bag had been directly under a bus side mirror.

GREEN AS SNOW
Cold and dirt aside, the 700,000 Chinese who currently ski or snowboard ( stats according to the Chinese Ski Association) are cheering as are the shop keepers who have reported that sales are ringing up and two outdoor snow parks are opening early to cope with the demand.

No longer a sport for the elite, a common Beijinger is willing to spend as much as 3000 RMB on a snowboard and according to Beijingski.com, 30,000 go skiing or snowboarding everyday during the winter season, peaking in December.

With Chinese booming economy and enormous population the US$7 Billion global industry will surely descend on China’s 300 ski resorts. Are you here yet? Ka-ching, ka-ching!