Known for its beautiful open spaces, lush green valleys, and traditional nomadic culture, Mongolia has long been a favorite destination to visit in the summer months.
However, a new event has been launched to attract international travelers looking for an authentic Mongolian winter experience.
The inaugural Mazalai International Snow and Ice Festival, which kicked off on January 14 and runs until January 28, will be held at Sky Resort, a golf and ski resort located on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar.
Mongolian Culture Minister Nomin Shenbat said in a statement that the free event “represents a major milestone in the development of Mongolia’s winter tourism sector.”
“Over the next two weeks, visitors will be amazed by the winter landscapes and the beauty of the sculptures on display,” she noted, adding: “I hope it will inspire many from all over the world to visit our country during the winter.”
Although it has only been open for a few days, the event has already set a Guinness World Record for the most people down an icy piste in one hour.
As part of the opening celebrations, 408 attendees helped secure victory by sliding down the festival’s 16.4-metre ice slide, one by one. Photos of the event show a Guinness official present to witness the successful attempt.
Other attractions at the festival include a five-metre-high snow and ice sculpture depicting the country’s protected gobi bear and its cubs, with the aim of raising awareness for the endangered animal.
Another 52 Mazalai ice sculptures were placed at the festival to represent the 52 Gobi bears remaining in the wild.
There is also a 56.4 meter long snow and ice sculpture with a large ice skating rink.
On January 17, the festival hosted the Mazalai International Ice Competition, which brought together 24 artists from 6 countries: China, Thailand, France, Russia, the United States, and Mongolia.
But there is a reason why visiting Mongolia in the winter is not suitable for everyone, as the capital, Ulaanbaatar, is widely considered one of the coldest cities in the world, with average temperatures during the month of January ranging from minus 15 to minus 30 degrees Celsius. Temperatures may become colder in the northern region of the country.
At the same time, flights to some remote areas of the country are not available during the winter months.
But visiting this time of year has its advantages, including cheap hotel/tour prices and snow-covered landscapes.
The country hosts a variety of unique winter events, including the annual Khuvsgol Lake Ice Festival, which is held on Mongolia’s largest lake in early March.
