"We have a lot more young athletes from the south and west (of Asia) taking part (than at earlier editions), we have countries in the desert sending teams ... and this is how we reach the goal of development," Husain Al Musallam, director-general of the Olympic Council of Asia, said during the Harbin Games.

"We need to engage with more youth, attracting them to try winter sports, even though their countries' climate might not necessarily suit winter sports.

"That's why we've seen the(record) number of athletes here, and that's how we improve not only the participation, but also their standards."

With an emotional closing ceremony set to bring the curtain down on Friday night, winter sports' previously unimaginable expansion in Asia will usher in an exciting future, as Saudi Arabia picks up the baton from Harbin, becoming, in four years' time, the first Arab nation — and first from western Asia — to host the Winter Asiad.

The journey from the traditional winter wonderland of Harbin to the ambitious alpine project taking shape in Saudi's Trojena mountain cluster speaks volumes for the surging interest in winter sports and the potential of these events in delivering economic and social benefits for the host.

"We are preparing a big surprise for everyone at Trojena in four years time," Ahmed Bin Dhuwayhi, chief of the Saudi Arabia delegation, said in Harbin.

"Saudi Arabia has a series of cooperation projects going on with China, such as in education, culture and sports. Without a doubt, we have a lot to learn about winter sports organization from our Chinese hosts."