URUMQI, Jan. 23 -- Shimmering in the sun, the light, powder snow on the 1,400-meter high slope of the Altay Mountain is like diamonds for skiing fanatics. They slide down the hill and draw perfect curves in the air.

Since cave paintings of Stone Age skiers were discovered, Altay Prefecture in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has been regarded as the birthplace of skiing. Local herders still preserve the traditional way of traveling with skis made of pine wood and horse hair.

Today Altay is attracting skiers worldwide with its vast area of natural powder snow, which is prized by skiers.

"It is no less than a winter wonderland for ski fanatics like me," says Tang Zhigang, general manager of the Altay Mountain Backcountry Ski Park.

The park was open in January 2017. It is the first resort in Xinjiang boasting a primitive skiing area without constructed pistes or artificial snow, ideal for off-piste skiing.

Located at a similar latitude to the world famous skiing destinations such as the Alps and Hokkaido in Japan, the park has a natural mountainous landscape and suitable oxygen level. The average annual snow fall in the area ranges from 1.5 meters to 6 meters.

To ensure safety and offer better service, the park has built 30 rescue sites and camp sites.

"This is my first time to ski off-piste. I feel free here," says Liu Zehao, a tourist from east China's Qingdao City.

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