Opening of venues to public promises to offer authentic Winter Games flavor

Fancy spending a day in an Olympian's shoes? Visitors to Beijing 2022's stunning venues will be able to do just that with the launch of authentic Winter Games experiences.

With access to competition tracks, a skyline gondola, the athletes' village and canteens all included, the Yanqing Olympic Park in Beijing's northwestern suburb is all set to welcome visitors from Friday. The owners expect to build the venue cluster into a hit destination for not just winter sports but also outdoor leisure activities.

The park, which includes the National Alpine Skiing Center and National Sliding Center, launched its official ticketing system on Sunday. A full package, including a round-trip gondola ticket to the top of the mountain and a buffet in the athletes' dining hall, is priced at 280 yuan (about $43).

Even without snow, the Alpine skiing center offers stunning views from the start gate where the world's best skiers launched their high-speed glory bids during February's Winter Games. A "roof walk "experience along the 1.9-kilometer track at the sliding center also promises to thrill visitors during the upcoming May Day holiday.

"We've tried to maintain the whole Olympic atmosphere as much as possible so that visitors can have almost the same experience as athletes had and enjoyed during the Games," said Fu Liansheng, president of the National Alpine Skiing Center operation company.