Skiing rescuer ensures safety on slopes as winter sports gain popularity

Yao He sets up protective facilities with his colleagues at Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province, Dec. 5, 2024. Yao He, 31, is the head of the skiing rescuer team at the Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin. He chose this profession in 2016 due to his love for skiing.

With the arrival of the skiing season, Yao leads his team to inspect the ski slopes and identify potential safety hazards every day before the opening of the ski resort. After the resort opens, they closely monitor the flow of people and always prepare to rescue skiers in need.

The occupation of skiing rescuer was among the 19 new occupations announced by China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security in July 2024. With the increasing popularity of skiing, the importance of ensuring skiing safety has been emphasized.

"As a skiing rescuer, I will continue to increase my professional skills and provide a safe environment for skiers to have fun," Yao said. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

Yao He (1st L) and his colleagues use a rescue sled to transfer a skier down the ski slopes at Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province, Dec. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

Yao He sets up protective facilities with his colleagues at Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province, Dec. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

Yao He uses a rescue sled to transfer a skier down the ski slopes at Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province, Dec. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

Yao He arranges the rescue equipment at Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province, Dec. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

Yao He uses a walkie-talkie to communicate with his colleagues about the placement of protective facilities at Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province, Dec. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

Yao He (R) communicates with his colleague about the placement of protective facilities at Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province, Dec. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

Yao He inspects the condition of ski slopes at Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province, Dec. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

Yao He carries a rescue sled on the ski slopes at Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province, Dec. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

Yao He takes a cable car to inspect the condition of ski slopes at Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province, Dec. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

Yao He (L) and his colleague arrange the rescue equipment at Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province, Dec. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

Yao He inspects the condition of ski slopes at Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province, Dec. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)