SHIJIAZHUANG, Dec. 6 -- International alpine skiing tournament started on Saturday morning in Chongli county, Zhangjiakou city in north China's Hebei province.

Some 180 skiers from China, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the Netherlands are taking part in the tournament, which lasts 4 days.

Chongli county is a ski resort some 200km northwest of Beijing. Beijing has launched a joint bid with Zhangjiakou to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.