CHANGCHUN, July 13 (Xinhua) -- While much of China swelters under the summer heat, the country's northeastern Jilin Province has emerged as a sought-after destination thanks to its cool and refreshing weather.

As the summer holiday season begins, many ski resorts in the province have launched their summer operations, energizing the local economy by blending culture, sports and tourism.

At Songhua Lake Resort in Jilin City, tourists have been flocking to a wide range of outdoor activities. The resort is bustling with lively scenes - children running and laughing on the lawns, joggers powering up hillsides, and crowds gathering to enjoy performances of intangible cultural heritage.

"It's very cool and comfortable here. I didn't expect the ski resort to be so fun in summer," said Sun Duo, a tourist from Zhejiang Province.

Nestled in the heart of northeast China, Jilin City enjoys an average summer temperature of 22 degrees Celsius. Its abundant ecological resources make it an ideal location for outdoor sports.

"The integration of culture, sports, and tourism has become an important model for our year-round operation," said Zhao Lanju, general manager of Songhua Lake Resort. She noted that one of the resort's most distinctive new offerings is a mountain trail running event. With modern facilities, generous supplies, and professional support, the event has become a favorite among runners.

Liang Junxi, a trail-running enthusiast from Guangdong Province and a sports event organizer, turned his passion into a career after graduation. "Trail running typically takes place on rugged and unpaved paths. The excitement brought by steep uphill and downhill sections gets people's adrenaline pumping," he said.

Although Liang has traveled extensively across the country, he finds holding summer trail events at ski resorts to be a unique experience. "The ski resort offers well-equipped hotels and dining options, along with many summer activities which are particularly appealing to the younger generation," he added.

This year's third Songhua Lake trail run will be held at the end of August, with up to 5,000 participants expected. Pre-event training camps, trial races, and other warm-up activities are also planned.

As sporting events draw greater public interest, sports culture is being reimagined through innovative consumer products. At Songhua Lake Resort, a specially designed ice cream featuring elements like skiing, cable cars and paragliding has become a hit among tourists. "Since the beginning of summer, we have sold over 8,000 of these ice creams," said Huang Zhongrui, the resort's marketing director.

The popularity of sports-themed ice cream is growing across China. From soy sauce-flavored ice cream featuring the 2025 Sudirman Cup mascot to basketball-inspired creations launched by Qingdao's basketball team and local businesses, these products turn event branding and mascots into edible art.

Meanwhile, indoor ski resorts are also seeing a surge in popularity. The Beishan Four Seasons Cross-country Ski Resort has welcomed tourists from across the country this summer. Inside, the temperature stays around minus 6 degrees Celsius, offering visitors a taste of winter with activities such as snowmobiling and shooting.

More than just a professional training center for cross-country skiing, Beishan has become a go-to summer destination for winter sports experiences. "We are trying to bring the appeal of ice and snow to midsummer," said Yu Miao, the resort's publicity director, noting that Beishan has already received nearly 80,000 tourists this year - several times more than in 2024.

In August, the National Cross-Country Skiing Invitational will be held at Beishan. "We hope more and more tourists can experience the coolness of summer and discover the unique charm of our city through various sports events," said Liu Yijun, deputy director of Jilin City's Sports Bureau.