The management of the National Stadium, better known as “the Bird's Nest,” has come up with an innovative way to stave off the structure's financial woes this winter – the complex is reportedly being converted into “Happy Snow World,” featuring a ski area, snow play area, games, an interactive area, performances and a scenic area. That's a lot of areas for one stadium.

The Bird's Nest's financial troubles have received considerable coverage since the conclusion of the Beijing Olympics. Just last month AFP reported: “An unnamed state-owned financial institution 'quietly' took over management of the venue in August from CITIC Investment Holdings, which previously owned full rights to the stadium's commercial operations...Operating costs for the stadium, the centerpiece of the Beijing Games, total 70 million yuan (10.3 million dollars) annually, or about 200,000 yuan a day.”

The “Snow World” no doubt represents a new effort to stem these losses.

“Bird's Nest Happy Snow World” will be open to public from Saturday, December 19 to Saturday, February 20 next year. Parts of the grandstands have reportedly been removed to create a ski slope, and the site will be covered by 40cm of snow, making it “the biggest snow playground in urban Beijing.”

You can read the original news story in Chinese here. The People's Daily also carried a short story here.

Bird's Nest Happy Snow World; National Stadium; 9am-6pm (Monday to Friday), 9am-9.30pm (holidays); RMB 120/180 (holidays); Students RMB 100/160 (holidays).