With the calendar turning the page into March, major ski resorts are introducing end-of-the-season discounts. The largest on offer is 90 percent from Nanshan Ski Resort, which is adding to the appeal of big savings by hosting a wacky party this Sunday - the ninth Guangzhujie, which translates into the Naked Pig Festival - to give a big send-off to this year's ski season.

As the name suggests, skiers are encouraged to wear as little as possible while snowboarding and skiing at the festival, which originated in the Crested Butte Mountain Resort of Colorado in the United States.

Since 2003, the annual festival has seen many skiers willing to strictly adhere to its spirit.

"Skiers have joined the party wearing underpants, bikinis, even naked," said Tan Huiyan, the marketing manager for Nanshan Ski Resort.

She said every year there were more than 40 participants staging impressive shows.

Gao Yufei, who has worked as a personal ski trainer for eight years, will join the party this year.

"I have got a charming leopard-skin bikini and angel-like wings. I want to ski downhill while extending my wings."

As usual, the show will be housed on Nike 6.0 Nanshan Park, a 200-meter-long course for beginners. It will be maintained with artificial snow the night before the show.

"It is easy to hit the finishing line with good balance, but hard to make a skillful performance on it," Gao said, explaining that the course is neither steep nor long, which makes it impossible to jump high to strike poses in the air.

She is also worried that her body will not be as flexible as usual in a bikini in the freezing cold.

"But I figure that skiing this way must be a good sense of release," she said.

A long list of awards and prizes await those willing to brave the elements, among the awards are the best male and best female naked skiing pigs, which go to the best performers in terms of costume, performance, creativity and popularity.

Besides a panel of judges made up of star skiers and spectators, a decibel meter will also be employed this year to see who gets the loudest response from spectators.

"The festival involves cultural and creative elements," said 30-year-old Xiaonangua, literally meaning LittlePumpkin, who has attended the party for the last five years.

Last year he dressed up as Hua Mulan, a Chinese heroine who joined an all-male army in place of her father.

"One year the best team award was given to four male skiers dressed as swans skiing downhill side by side in tutus."

Besides the performances, there will be a free flow of beverages, body-painting and skiwear promotions.

All "naked pigs" will enjoy free entry and skiing. All you need to do is unleash you creative spirit and join the carnival.

China Daily

(China Daily 03/03/2011)