The first Yangquan Youth Skiing Competition takes place at the Taolingou ski resort in Yangquan, on Jan 26. [Photo/Yangquan Evening News]

Residents of Yangquan – the prefecture-level city in North China's Shanxi province – are being swept up in the growing buzz for winter sports as the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics fast approaches.

The city's first youth skiing competition was staged by the local sports authority and the Yangquan Ski Association in the local Taolingou ski resort on Jan 26.

Twenty-two participants aged between 3 and 14 faced each other off in snowboard and skiing events, showing their individual skills and love of winter sports.

Residents try their hand at skiing at the Taolingou ski resort, on Jan 23. [Photo/Yangquan Daily]

"The competition is designed to allow more people feel the appeal of winter sports, to actively participate in fitness exercises and create excitement to welcome in the Winter Olympics," said Shi Xiaochen, president of the Yangquan Ski Association. 

"In future, we will continue to promote skiing among young people and the development of winter sports," Shi added. 

Apart from the competition, activities themed around winter sports and tourism are being staged across the city, attracting crowds of winter sports enthusiasts. 

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics – to be held in and around the national capital – are due to run on Feb 4-20.