"The ancient fur skis have changed my life," Huanshbek Silanbek, son of Silanbek Sahshi, an inheritor of the ancient fur ski-making skills, said on December 30, 2024.

Nowadays, Silanbek Sahshi and the ancient fur skis are household names, and his workshop has become a popular place. From well-known actors to snow enthusiasts from all over the world, and from domestic media to international media, they all come to his workshop to watch the making process of the ancient fur skis.

Huanshbek Silanbek, the son of Silanbek Sahshi, is 34 years old this year. Since the age of fourteen or fifteen, he began to learn the craft of making ancient fur skis from his father. However, at that time, he did not see this skill as a means of livelihood. After graduating from junior high school, he chose to work elsewhere and only occasionally came back to help his father.

In recent years, the ancient fur skiing, known as the "living fossil" of human skiing, has become a shining card for Altay Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The local government has helped Silanbek Sahshi to open a workshop, which has made him widely famous. Huanshbek Silanbek has been focusing on the production of ancient fur skis since 2021. After several years of continuous learning, his craftsmanship has made a qualitative leap.

"As I get older, my hands are not as nimble as they used to be. Fortunately, my son has inherited my craft, and he has now fully mastered the production process of the ancient fur skis, which brings me great comfort," Silanbek Sahshi said.

"In recent years, my father has become increasingly busy. He not only has to participate in various promotional activities but also fulfill a large number of ski orders, selling over a hundred pairs in a year at most. To ensure the quality of the skis, my father often needs to go out to find the best timber, fur, cowhide, and other materials, which has a negative impact on his health, and he urgently needs a reliable assistant. On the other hand, I see the market potential for ancient fur skis, so I have decided to fully commit to learning and inheriting this craft," Huanshbek Silanbek said.

Nowadays, Huanshbek Silanbek has further expanded his business. In addition to focusing on the production of ancient fur skis, he has also introduced several exquisite mini snowboard models that are highly popular among tourists and have become sought-after souvenirs. And he has also set up a visitor experience area in his workshop, allowing tourists who are interested in the craftsmanship of ancient fur skis to make their own mini models under his careful guidance, and take this back home.

"My son has now become my capable assistant. When attending various promotional activities inside and outside Xinjiang, he excellently conveys the charm of ancient fur skis to the outside world. And when receiving tourists and guests at the workshop, he transforms into a guide, vividly telling the story behind each ski," Silanbek Sahshi said with great relief.

Huanshbek Silanbek is not satisfied with the status quo and never stops trying. His range of services continues to expand, including horse-drawn sleds, horse riding, and enjoying the fun of skiing on ancient fur skis in the experience area. He has also meticulously prepared a feast of Xinjiang special cuisine, as well as Kazak dance and song performances. Since mid-November of 2024, the workshop has received more than 1,000 visitors, sold over 200 mini snowboard models, and more than 20 ancient fur skis, with a revenue of over 30,000 yuan(about 4099 U.S. dollars).

At the same time, Huanshbek Silanbek has provided employment opportunities for two villagers in his village. Rehemaithan Ziyadabek, one of these two villagers, said happily, "Since last year, I have joined Huanshbek Silanbek in the tourism service industry. My main responsibility is to drive horse-drawn sleds and take tourists for horse riding experiences. In my spare time, I can also learn the craftsmanship of making ancient fur skis from him, and the income is quite good. Now, winter is no longer a long season for us. It has become busy and fulfilling, and life is getting more and more interesting."

"I have to say that ancient fur ski-making craftsmanship has completely changed my life. Because of it, my horizons have broadened, and I have been able to see the outside world. I am fortunate to be a promoter of ancient fur skis. In the future, I will continue to work hard and contribute my part to the inheritance and promotion of the ancient fur ski-making craftsmanship," Huanshbek Silanbek said.

(The Media Convergence Center of Altay City, Reporter: Wulan Hadiken)