Peking University, February 28, 2022: Founded in 2006, Peking University Ski Association is one of the earliest and most influential ski associations established in post-secondary institutions in China. Over the past 15 years, PKU Ski Association has always been guided by the principle to “promote winter sports and cultivate good sportsmanship” throughout their practices and events. With an estimated count of hosting more than 300 hundred school-based events with approximately 12,000 participants collectively, PKU Ski Association has dedicated their sincere efforts into promoting the sport towards the student body and audiences nationwide. Supported by their well-established management system and excellent team culture, PKU Ski Association was granted the title of “PKU’s Star Student Association”, thus the society’s influence expanded as they were offered with support from Peking University and frequent exposure presented by various major media outlets.


Every year, PKU Ski Association selects a few outstanding student-athletes from across all degrees and faculties to form the PKU Ski Team which participates in numerous renowned university ski events in the country. In the winter season of 2020-2021, PKU Ski Team won the first place at the 7th National University Students’ Skiing Final Championships. As one of the earliest university-based skiing teams established across the country, PKU Ski Team continues to inherit and maintain excellent results to this day, and has become a prime model among the skiing teams of major colleges and universities. Throughout the years since its founding, PKU Ski Association has had members enrolling in the Chinese National Ski Team and competing on the international-level. Prominent national news outlets, such as The People’s Daily, China Education Daily, etc. have also extensively reported the remarkable accomplishments achieved by PKU Ski Team. Overall, PKU Ski Association has created an exceptional legacy and continues to achieve new milestones with each coming year.


PKU Ski Team is a Family

For more than a decade, PKU Ski Team has maintained their place within the top three rankings among all universities in China, and this would not have been possible without the strengthening spirit that connects everyone together in the tight-knit skiing community they have long-regarded as home. On the day of the Lantern Festival last year, while skiing team members were all readily undergoing training for the upcoming championship games, they all squeezed out time during their tight schedules and ordered takeout for each other and their coaches. When the festive takeout arrived, everyone covered theirs with thermal wrap, promising each other that they “would eat together even when the food turns cold.” This unanimous act reflected the tight bond they each had with each other, as everyone who was part of the team made sure that no one was left out of the circle of love during this special time of the year.

During group training sessions, everyone supervises each other for further improvement, either it be taking care of each other on the snow track, or reporting with a walkie talkie when encountering a blind side of vision. After training, they would watch their respective performances, analyze and engage in-depth discussions together. With perseverance and teamwork, their continuous efforts has made astounding accomplishments in every competition they have participated.


On the field, each member would work tirelessly towards their next training goal in mind. You would often see them galloping through the snow, sliding down steep hills, leaving deep tread marks on the crystal white snow. Once they are off the training grounds however, they return to being a group of lovely students, often going on field trips or lunch breaks during their regular school days. No matter which season it may be, winter or not, PKU Ski Team is always a family outside of home.

PKU Ski Team Winning Championship at the 7th China University Student “Vanke Cup” Ski Challenge

The “Vanke Cup” 7th China University Student Ski Challenge (Finals) was the most recent large-scale skiing competition PKU Ski Team has participated last year. 213 athletes from 31 Chinese universities including Peking University and Renmin University of China competed in a total of 4 events including the Men’s Mountain Giant Slalom, Men’s Parallel Giant Slalom, Women’s Mountain Giant Slalom and Women’s Parallel Giant Slalom.


PKU Ski Team sent a total of 12 members to participate in the competition, with 3 of the students participating in each event. They performed outstandingly and won the group championship in snowboarding and finished in the team runner-up position in alpine skiing, successfully securing the overall team championship trophy once again after 4 years. Behind their excellent performance however, was a long period of arduous training. Since the beginning of the snow season, the team members have seized every opportunity during the weekends to head down to the snowfield for practice. PKU Ski Team have also arranged two one-week training sessions, inviting professional coaches to give technical guidance to the team members. While individual ability and skills are important, the championship was a result of collective cooperation. More than ten members of the administrative team participated in various training and competitions to ensure the high-level performance of the competitors. The team leader and coach also played a vital role in supporting the team throughout the entire competition. According to Qiu Houde, member of the PKU Ski Team, they were just like a big family united by precious bonds. It was through the efforts of all the members that they managed to win this championship.


Here’s what each member has to say regarding their win:

Qiu Houde: PKU Ski Team, it’s really a family to me at this point. From the moment I stepped onto the podium receiving the championship metal, my mind immediately went to all the people who have supported me throughout the years. I hope that in ten years, I can proudly say that I have inherited the integrity of PKU Ski Team.

Wang Shun: Actually, I joined in PKU Ski Team pretty early on. Back when I was a freshman, I got exposed to snowboarding for the first time, but I was unable to follow up with the training due to multiple personal factors. However, I still managed to go on ski trips with friends during every winter season. Even though I never had professional ski training during my four year of bachelors, I gradually realized my passion for the sport and it quickly become a major hobby of mine. After I became a master’s student, I joined in PKU Ski Team once again, and participated in all the major sports competitions. I am sincerely proud of the achievements my teammates have achieved, and I know how hard they have all trained for their titles.

Zhang Shiwen: This is my second year on the PKU Ski Team, as well as my first year being an active competitor for the team. Initially, due to my lack of skills, I was constantly in a place of self-doubt. My teammates, realizing my troubles, quickly offered help during every group training, and with persistence coming from both sides, I eventually got a grip of all the skills and technicalities of the sport. During the Northern China Skiing Competition, I accidentally got into an accident, which haunted me for a long time after. I remembered, Mr. He (skiing coach) came up to me and said “you’re a brilliant child who has the potential. Know your potential, stay humble, and learn from your seniors. Be courageous and strive for the best version of yourself.” These words still ring in my ear to this day.

Fan Yaoyuan: I’ve always thought that PKU Ski Team winning the championship is inherently tied up with the PKU spirit that exists in our hearts. At PKU, we’ve always emphasized the importance of “freedom and inclusivity of thought.” In that case, PKU Ski Team is really the best example of such motto, since everyone has their very own brilliant personalities and you can feel the team spirit that exists in all of us.

Zhang Yuanpeng: PKU Ski Team is family. I still remember coming back to school after the Northern China Ski Championship Games, it was pouring then. Everyone was drenched to the core, but everyone offered to carry the heaviest luggage back to campus. It was at the moment I felt surrounded by love and support, and realized the importance of the tight-knit family we have all become a part of.

Xin Weilin: Now reflecting on the past few years, I was never really active in a lot of student societies, since I’m not a really social person myself. From what I can remember, PKU Ski Association is without a doubt a student society that I truly invested most of my time and energy in. Throughout the four winter seasons I’ve been in PKU Ski Team, I have truly transformed from someone who knew little about the sport, to a capable competitor who participated in the major sports events across the country. PKU Ski Team has truly taught me so much about the sport and about myself, and for that I am forever grateful.

Written by: Rose Li
Edited by: Zhang Jiang