Chinese Ski Association vice president Liu Chengliang and Audi quattro Winter Games chief executive Arthur Klap sign the Memorandum of Understanding in Beijing witnessed by Prime Minister John Key.

The New Zealand Winter Games will become a training ground for Chinese skiers and snowboarders prior to the 2022 Winter Olympics.

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Chinese Ski Association and Audi quattro Winter Games, ensuring New Zealand will be a training base during the northern hemisphere summers from 2017 until 2021.

Audi quattro Winter Games boss Arthur Klap, who was in China to sign the agreement, said it was a "win-win" for both organisations and would put New Zealand at the forefront of the world's ski industry in China.

"If people in China are looking at skiing overseas they will choose New Zealand. The spin-offs for Central Otago in particular will be major and worth millions of dollars to the region," he said.

"It is most unusual anywhere in the world to have a sporting organisation achieve a Memorandum of Understanding with a national sports body. It was also significant having Prime Minister John Key witness the signing, underlining the importance of the agreement," Klap said.

Leading to the Winter Olympics in Beijing in 2022 China is investing in its ski industry and has a target of having 30 million skiers and snowboarders.

Klap said while the Chinese have been granted the 2022 Winter Olympics the profile of snow sports is still quite low in China.

"This is an issue for the Chinese Ski Association which sees Winter Games NZ events as pivotal for promoting their leading athletes and building that profile."

China will broadcast the coverage on CCTV during the games and in return New Zealand sportsmen will help with training opportunities for Chinese snow sports teams.

"Chinese snow sports officials will be invited to shadow Winter Games NZ officials and we will facilitate New Zealand expertise in ski field management, snow management, grooming and technology to assist the CSA and Chinese ski resorts," Klapp said.