A ski resort in northeastern China has ignited a heated online debate after a video showed a male instructor carrying a female guest down a snowy slope as part of a paid birthday celebration.
The incident took place at the Northeast Asia Ski Resort in Shenyang, Liaoning province, which boasts the highest number of ski runs in the country. The video, widely circulated on Chinese social media, has drawn a mix of fascination, criticism, and safety concerns, highlighting the growing trend of experience-based “companionship” services in China.
What is the ‘carry skiing’ birthday service?
The unusual offering came to light after a woman surnamed Zhao shared photos and videos from her birthday celebration at the resort, according to the South China Morning Post.
What the video shows
- A male ski instructor dressed in white, carrying Zhao in his arms
- Zhao, holding red balloons, her arms wrapped around the instructor’s shoulders
- Other instructors in orange outfits standing nearby with banners, flowers, a cake, a speaker, and colored smoke
The spectacle resembled a choreographed celebration more than a typical ski lesson.
Zhao said she spent 5,000 yuan (about US$700) on the experience and encouraged others to try it, calling it memorable and enjoyable.
Is ‘carry skiing’ an official service?
According to resort staff quoted by Jimu News, the activity is part of an officially sanctioned service known as “carry skiing.”
How the service works
- Designed for guests who cannot ski but want the experience
- An instructor carries the guest on their back or in their arms
- The instructor skis downhill while the guest enjoys the scenery
The base cost is reportedly 300 yuan (around US$40) per hour per instructor, with birthday and event packages customizable based on budget. Resort officials emphasized that all participating instructors are professionally trained and hold coaching certifications.
Zhao’s higher spending, they said, covered decorations, coordination, and celebratory props rather than skiing alone.
Why has the service triggered controversy online?
The video quickly went viral, igniting debate across Chinese social media platforms.
Supporters say
- The service adds emotional value and novelty
- The presence of a young male instructor could attract more visitors
- It promotes winter sports in a creative, accessible way
One commenter suggested the experience could boost interest among people intimidated by skiing.
Critics raise concerns
- Safety risks, including the possibility of instructors losing balance
- Professional boundaries, with some calling the physical closeness inappropriate
- The optics of turning sports instruction into a form of paid companionship
One widely shared comment noted that “the distance between the two people is too close for comfort,” while another questioned what would happen if the instructor slipped on a steep slope.
A growing trend of experience-based companionship
The backlash reflects a broader conversation in China about services that blend leisure, emotional connection, and paid companionship.
In recent years, businesses have increasingly marketed:
- “陪伴式” (companionship-style) dining
- Paid travel partners
- Event-based emotional experiences
The ski resort’s birthday package appears to tap into this same demand—selling not just an activity, but a curated moment designed for social media.
What the controversy reveals
At its core, the debate is less about skiing and more about where the line is drawn between hospitality, entertainment, and personal boundaries.
While the resort insists the service is professional and optional, critics argue that safety standards and ethical considerations need clearer limits—especially when activities involve physical risk and close contact.
For now, the Northeast Asia Ski Resort has not indicated whether it plans to modify or discontinue the service. But the viral reaction suggests that what was meant to be a feel-good birthday surprise has opened a wider discussion about modern consumer culture in China.
TL;DR
- A Chinese ski resort offers a “carry skiing” service for non-skiers
- A birthday video showing an instructor carrying a woman downhill went viral
- Supporters call it creative and emotionally engaging
- Critics warn of safety risks and blurred professional boundaries
- The debate reflects China’s growing market for experience-based companionship services