Driven by national policies and international competitions, China’s winter sports and industry development will enter a new course. How to release the enormous potential skiing demand in China is significant to drive 300 million people to participate in winter sports and promote the development of China’s ice and snow industry, and defining the restrictive factors is a necessary prerequisite to realise the effective transformation of potential demand to actual growth power. Based on the in-depth information, this paper further analyses the influence of environmental factors on the development of winter sports. The research shows that the number of skiers about 20 times is the highest, up to 75.5 %, followed by the number of skiers about five times, up to 67.4 %. Then about ten times accounted for 48.6 %, and finally, about 15 times accounted for 37.6 %. This frequency can fully satisfy skiing enthusiasts to enjoy leisure activities, experience modern life fashion, use skiing to increase social opportunities, delight body and mind, and improve health. Based on the in-depth information, this paper reveals the shortcomings and existing environmental factors of China’s winter sports development. It provides a reference for the rational utilisation and development of ice and snow resources and the scientific and practical development of China’s winter sports.