Under a brilliant winter sun and cloudless sky, Shougang Park’s iconic Big Air Shougang stood majestically, a glacial arena awaiting the arrival of its heroic athletes.

From November 29 to December 1, 2024, the much-anticipated 2024–25 FIS Snowboard & Freeski Big Air World Cup was successfully held at Big Air Shougang in Beijing.

The women’s freestyle skiing qualification rounds ignited the competition. Clad in striking racing suits, streamlined helmets, and razor-sharp skis, athletes from across the globe surged from the starting point like arrows unleashed, their determination palpable.

Helene Barron, a physiotherapist from New Zealand accompanying the team, expressed her admiration: “Despite the cold weather, the warmth and friendliness of the people here have been truly remarkable.”

Swiss athlete Mathilde Gremaud praised Shougang Park: “It’s beyond perfect! The sunshine and calmer winds today are ideal for our competition. The transformation of Shougang Park since 2019 is astonishing. The addition of hotels and restaurants has given the area a vibrant atmosphere. We tried a variety of delicious local foods - they were amazing!”

At the jump’s starting point, athletes stood poised, their focus absolute, ready to go. Launching themselves into the air, they seemed imbued with magical power, executing effortless flips and grabs. Each movement flowed seamlessly, a breathtaking blend of power and artistry. Some athletes completed stomach-clenching spectacles, their bodies spinning like whirling tops, each twist holding the audience captive. Others hurtled towards the jump’s limits with astonishing speed, seemingly poised to pierce the clouds, their performance a vibrant expression of winter sports’ passion and velocity.

Berangere Morend, a Swiss athlete physiotherapist, highly praised Big Air Shougang: “The ski jump, rising from within this ‘steel garden’, is more beautiful and more spectacular than any venue I’ve ever been to.”

Chinese athlete Liu Mengting expressed her gratitude: “Competing at Big Air Shougang every year, I feel the fervent support of the home crowd, which fills me with immense confidence and reassurance. Although I don’t live nearby, I’ve heard from my teammates that Shougang Park has a lively, vibrant atmosphere, and I plan to explore it after the competition.”

“Returning to Shougang Park feels like coming home!” exclaimed Su Yiming, a Chinese athlete, upon his return to the jump a year later. Athletes soared through the air, eliciting gasps and cheers from the crowd below. High-difficulty tricks, including 1800- and 1980-degree spins, were executed flawlessly, and the enthralled spectators demanded more. “Today’s competition was truly eye-opening,” commented Mr. Zhao, a spectator. “The high-difficulty moves, down to the finest detail, were simply astonishing. The speed of some athletes’ rotations in the air was unparalleled, beyond my wildest imagination; they were practically flying!”

Mr. Zhou from Haidian District arrived at Shougang Park early Saturday morning with his family, taking advantage of the time before the competition to explore the park’s attractions including Qunming Lake and Blast Furnace No. 3. “The viewing experience was fantastic,” he said. “Beyond the breathtaking competition itself, the atmosphere was excellent. The crowd’s roar completely immersed everyone in the event, from the athletes’ launch to their stunts in the air and perfect landings.” Mr. Zhou’s wife added, “Besides the event itself, Shougang Park provides convenient transportation, and the volunteers are incredibly attentive. The catering services were diverse. The children particularly enjoyed the hot drinks and snacks from the food trucks.”

To accommodate the expanded scale of the event, Shougang collaborated with the organizing committee to implement comprehensive upgrades in organization and support. Meticulous planning was undertaken across multiple areas, including facility enhancements, accommodation arrangements, and event security measures, ensuring comprehensive service and support for all participants, and contributing to the event’s resounding success. Guided by the principles of people-centricity and prioritizing well-being, Shougang Park provided attentive and meticulous services and support to visitors worldwide, polishing its capability for hosting winter sports and showcasing the unique allure of Shougang Park to the world.