More than 1,000 professional skiers from home and abroad glided away from the starting line of a cross-country skiing event at Changchun Jingyuetan National Forest Park, Jilin province, on Dec 4.

The skiing event was one of a series of competitions of the Jingyuetan Vasaloppet International Skiing Festival. It also marked the beginning of the 2018 China Changchun Ice and Snow Travel Festival.

On the launching ceremony, Jonas Rosen, vice chairman of Sweden's Vasaloppet long-distance ski race, encouraged more people to imitate the professional winter sports athletes and join in Vasaloppet events.

He mentioned that this is the 16th year Changchun has hosted the Vasaloppet Skiing Festival.

Several competitions like 50-kilometer cross-country skiing, a 25-kilometer Blueberry competition, a two-kilometer ski run for the public and skiing events for students are included during the Skiing Festival.

Jia Lina, deputy mayor of Changchun, said the festival intends to promote the ice and snow tourism industry to the world and it is a platform where all skiing athletes and enthusiasts can compete and learn from each other.

This year's Changchun Travel Festival will last for 100 days, from Nov 23, 2017 to March 2, 2018.

To meet the demand of tourists and better promote the ice and snow tourism industry in Jilin province, 41 pitches and venues for winter sports and entertainment have been constructed and all kinds of opportunities to learn about Jilin culture, including its hot springs and villages, are provided.

The event is sponsored by the Changchun government, the Chinese Ski Association, the Jilin Provincial Tourism Development Commission, and Nordic Ways, a company focusing on developing, producing and promoting brand sports events in China.

Professional skiers rush off the starting line at Jingyutan National Forest Park on Dec 4. [Photo provided to ejilin.gov.cn]

More than 1,000 skiers from home and abroad participate in the 50-kilometer cross-country skiing competition. [Photo/Xinhua]