Ski race in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin province.[Photo/chinajilin.com.cn]

Staff at Sweden's Nordic Ways company, organizer of the Vassaloppet China Ski Festival 2016, didn't expect to receive a phone call on Dec 4, a month before the event opening, from a German young man who had signed up for the festival but wanted to come to the venue early to start his skiing vacation.

Contestants for a skiing contest like the Vassaloppet China 2016 usually come to the venue two or three days beforehand. The Nordic Ways company though has received several calls asking for early arrival in Changchun.

The annual event, after 14 years of development, has become more than a skiing competition. It's now become a true festival, a good opportunity for foreign contestants to enjoy the ice and snow. It's also an advertisement for Changchun, in Northeast China's Jilin province.

This year's event is expected to bring ski lovers from more than 30 countries, such as Sweden, Finland, the US, Japan, Russia, Canada, and Kazakhstan together in Changchun.

The Jingyuetan park, a national scenic area where the festival takes place, will be decorated into six thematic scenic spots offering ice and snow sculpture, a cultural tour and overall goodwill for the New Year.

The Vassaloppet China Ski Festival has become a large branded tourist and cultural event showing the city of Changchun to the world.

Residents enjoy ice and snow in Changchun, Jilin province.[Photo/chinajilin.com.cn]

Residents enjoy ice and snow in Changchun, Jilin province. [Photo/chinajilin.com.cn]

Ice sculpture in Changchun [Photo/chinajilin.com.cn]