China’s skiing industry has exploded from almost nothing at the beginning of this century. The country’s rising middle class has made snow sports a fast-growing pastime for families and athletes. And now that Beijing has won the bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics, China’s fascination with skiing is poised to make the sport practically commonplace in the northern regions.
Skiing is still a sport for the top one percent of wealthy people in China, according to the China Ski Association, but between now and the Olympic Games, China aims to get 300 million people on skis. To do that, dozens of ski resorts around the country are opening or expanding. They can’t yet compete with western resorts when it comes to scenery, service standards, safety, and slope quality, but competition between resorts is raising the bar fast.
Save the frigid northernmost parts of China, most ski resorts must supplement their arid mountains with artificial snow machines. That creates a harder surface to fall on which, combined with throngs of novice skiers hitting the slopes for the first time, can make skiing in China a dangerous endeavor. The government is spending tens of millions of dollars on water-diversion schemes to satisfy Olympic demand, pumping water from underground to put fresh powder on the mountain face. Ski resorts now compete with golf courses--golf being another popular sport among China’s elite--for water resources.
China’s ski resorts emulate those of western countries. In addition to the lifts and pistes, they have shops, hotels and restaurants that cater to their upper-class customers. A day-long pass at most Chinese resorts typically costs less than you would pay in the Rocky Mountains or Swiss Alps, but it’s still expensive by most Chinese standards. Before the middle class expansion that began in the 1990s, China’s winters sports were limited to ice skating.
This year, China is expected to boast a total of 450 ski resorts. To help narrow your search, we’ve compiled a list of 22 reputable resorts across the country for your perusal, from the premier destinations in the icy north to the convenient slopes just outside major cities.
All prices are weekend rates when available, but you can save some money by going during the week. Prices may not include equipment rental or deposits. It’s usually best to book in advance. For resorts that don’t have websites, we’ve included phone numbers.
Harbin
1) Yabuli Ski Resort
Location: Southeast of Yabuli Town, Shangzhi 150600, Heilongjiang Province
地址:150600亚布力镇东南
Website: http://www.yabuliski.cn/
Price: 10 RMB admission, 140 RMB (2 hours), 280 RMB (half day), 380 RMB (full day)
Season: November-March
Skill Level: Intermediate and Advanced
Get there: Take the "Skiing Special Train" at 8 a.m. from Harbin East Railway Station to reach the resort.
Description: Yabuli is the largest ski resort in China, located a 2.5-hour train ride southeast of Harbin. Yabuli hosted the 1996 Winter Asian Games, the 2008 National Winter Games and the 2009 Winter Universiade. It also has China’s largest ski jumping facilities.
2) Alshan Ski Resort
Location: Alshan, Inner Mongolia, 3-4 hours from Ulanhot by bus
Price: 100 RMB (2 hours), 150 RMB (4 hours), 180 RMB (full day)
Season: November to April
Skill Level: All levels
Get there: Take a plane from Beijing to Ulanhot, then a train from Ulanhot to the resort. A bus goes from Ulanhot airport to Alshan and takes about 3-4 hours.
Description: Second only to Yabuli, Alshan is a premier ski resort in China with both alpine slopes and cross country trails. Due to large amounts of snow, it doesn’t resort to snow machines or grooming equipment. It also has a bar and restaurant, but can be hard to get to.
3) Harbin Institute of Physical Education Alpine Ski Park
Location: Harbin Institute of Physical Education Alpine Ski Park, 88km outside Harbin, Shangzhi Mao'er Shan Township, Dafangzi Sidui
地址:尚志市帽儿山镇大房子四队,距哈尔滨市88公里, 哈尔滨体育学院高山滑雪场
Website: http://www.htymesski.com/
Price: 130 RMB for half day on beginner slopes, 150 RMB for half day on advanced slopes
Season: November-March
Skill Level: All levels
Get there: Take the train from Harbin Railway Station (哈尔滨火车站) to Mao'er Shan (帽儿山); the trip takes 2 hours. From there take a taxi to the ski park.
Description: The premier winter sports training center for university students all over China, and the national training center for snowboarding events. It has two half-pipes and six ski slopes.
4) Jihua Ski Resort at Changshou Shan
Location: Jihua Ski Resort at Changshou Shan, Binxi National Forest Park, Bin County, Harbin
地址:哈尔滨市宾县宾西国家森林公园, 吉华长寿山滑雪场
Website: http://www.jihuahuaxuechang.com/
Price: 180 RMB (2 hours), 220 RMB (3 hours), 240 RMB (4 hours)
Season: November-March
Skill Level: All levels
Get there: Take a shuttle from the Harbin Swan Hotel (天鹅饭店) at 95 Zhongshan Lu in Xiangfang District. Buses leave at 8:00 and go directly to the resort. Reserve tickets before 15:00 the previous day by calling 451 5769 1700.
Description: The closest ski resort to Harbin, just 30 minutes away. Features 15 wide slopes that can handle up to 3,000 skiers at the same time.
5) Long-zhu Erlongshan Ski Resort
Location: Inside Erlongshan Scenic Area, 65 km east of Harbin
地址: 哈尔滨东面65公里的二龙山风景区内, 龙珠二龙山滑雪场
Website: http://www.longzhuski.net/
Price: 180 RMB (2 hours), 260 RMB (4 hours), 350 (all day)
Season: November-March
Skill Level: Intermediate
Get there: Direct shuttle buses depart from New World (新世界), Singapore (新加坡), or other hotels in Harbin. Buses leave daily starting at 9:00 and tickets are 50 RMB round-trip. Buses also leave from Longyun Coach Station (龙运长途客运站) across from Harbin Railway Station (哈尔滨站) and East Coach Station (客运东站/三棵树汽车站) for Bin County; get off at Erlongshan Shanmen (二龙山山门) and take bus No. 7 (2 RMB) or a tuk-tuk (2 RMB) to Long-zhu Erlongshan Ski Resort
Description: Six slopes, one of which has lights for skiing at night. Baishi Peak, the park's highest, is accessible via cable car if you want to do some sightseeing.
More Harbin Ski Resorts >>
Chengdu
1) Xiling Snow Mountain Ski Resort
Location: Xiling Snow Mountain Ski Field , Xiling Town, Dayi County 611346. About 120 kilometers west of Chengdu, Sichuan Province.
地址: 成都四川611346西岭镇
Website: http://www.xiling.cn/syssource/mainpage/Enweb/main.html
Price: 160 RMB (1 hour), 280 RMB (3 hours)
Season: December to March
Skill Level: All level
Get there: Take direct buses from Chadianzi and Xinnanmen Bus Stations to Xiling Snow Mountain. The buses depart from 08:50 to 09:40 from Chadianzi Bus Station and cost 28 Yuan per person. There is only one bus from Xinnanmen Bus Station, which departs at 09:00 and costs 32 Yuan.
Description: Xiling features seven pistes for a total of 10 kilometers of China’s best alpine skiing. Snowmobiles are also available for rent.
2) Jiudingshan Prince Ridge Ski Resort/Taiziling
Location: Wenchuan County in Sichuan Maoxian along National Highway 2, 160 km away
from Chengdu
地址:九鼎山太子岭滑雪场位于四川省阿坝州汶川县至茂县213国道旁,九
山风景区内青龙坪,距成都市160公里
Website: http://www.taiziling.com/
Price: 268 RMB (full day)
Season: December-March
Skill Level: All levels
Get there: The journey takes about 2.5 hours by car. Take the Chengdu Expressway to Wenchuan to Maoxian 213 State Road through the bell Tunnel. Go to the Qixingguan visitors center across the bridge, turn right to Maoxian Jiuding Mountain Safety rural winding road for 23 km. Turn onto Qinglong Ping and take that to Prince Ridge Ski Resort.
Description: The largest and best ski resort in Southwest China, this resort just opened in late
2014. It has few tourists among its 13 slopes. It also claims to be building the longest ski run in Asia.
More Chengdu Ski Resorts >>
Beijing
1) Nanshan Ski Village
Location: Nanshan Ski Village, Shengshuitou Village, Miyun County, Beijing
地址; 北京密云河南寨镇圣水头村, 南山滑雪场)
Website: http://www.nanshanski.com/english/index.htm
Price: 240 RMB (3 hours), 280 RMB (4 hours), 390 RMB (full day)
Season: December-March
Skill Level: All levels
Get there: Special direct buses leave from the parking lot near Home Link real estate in the Fortune Times building daily at 08:30, and take approximately 50 minutes. The shuttle leaves Nanshan at 17:30 for Beijing and costs 40 RMB round-trip. Seats should be booked at least a day in advance, call 8909 1909 for info. Or, take the shuttle leaving from the east gate of Huaqing Jiayuan in Wudaokou (五道口华清嘉园东门), also leaving at 8:30 and returning at 17:30.
Description: Possibly the most popular ski resort in northern China, featuring 21 slopes made mostly of artificial snow. Sleds, snowmobiles, toboggans, and hang gliders are also available.
2) Huaibei Ski Resort
Location: Hekoufang Village, Huaibei Town, Huairou District, Beijing. 1-hour drive from downtown Beijing in the Jiugukou (Nine Valleys Pass) Natural Scenic Area
地址:北京市怀柔区怀北镇河防口村548号
Website: http://www.hbski.com/
Price: 80 RMB (1 hour), 150 RMB (2 hours), 180 RMB (3 hours), 200 RMB (half day), 360 RMB (full day)
Season: December to March
Skill Level: Novice
Get there: Getting there: From Dongzhimen (东直门) take the direct shuttle leaving daily (except Monday) at 08:10 (return trip starts 16:30). Call ahead for reservations: 010 8969 6677; 8486 9353. The bus won't leave unless there are at least ten reservations.
Description: This ski glade is adjacent to the Great Wall. Uses a debit card system for rentals and other purchases. Snow is mostly artificial.
3) Jundushan Ski Resort
Location: Jundushan Ski Resort, 588 Zhenshun Village, Cuicun Township, Changping District, Beijing
地址: 北京市昌平区崔村镇真顺村588号, 军都山滑雪场
Website: http://www.bjski.com.cn
Price: 150 RMB (2 hours), 225 RMB (8 hours), 100 RMB (night)
Season: December-March
Skill Level: Novice, Advanced
Get there: From Deshengmen bus station (德胜门公交站), take bus 888, 886, or 345 to Changping Dongguan (平东关站), then take bus 21 to Jundushan Ski Resort (军都山滑雪场). Or, take subway line 13 to Xi'erqi (西二旗站), then change to the Changping line (昌平线) to Nanshao (南邵站), then take bus 昌11 to Walmart (沃尔玛超市), and finally change to bus 昌21 to Jundushan Ski Resort (军都山滑雪场).
Description: After you finish skiing, head to the local hot springs for a hot soak. Or keep skiing, because Jundushan has an excellent lighting system for those who want to continue shredding after dark. The black diamond route is particularly good.
4)Yuyang Ski
Location: Yuyang Ski, 688 Dawangwu Village, Donggaocun Township, Pinggu District, Beijing
地址: 北京市平谷区东高村镇大旺务村688号, 渔阳国际滑雪场
Website: http://www.yuyangski.com.cn/
Price: 280 RMB (full day in advance), 360 RMB (full day on arrival)
Season: December-March
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Get there: From the entrance to Ginza Mall (东方银座门口) near Dongzhimen subway exit B, take the direct shuttle leaving daily at 07:30 for 50 RMB (return trips start at 16:30). Call ahead for reservations: 010 8485 6362. By public bus: take bus 852 from Dongzhimen station. Get off at Chang Guan Lou stop, transfer to bus 48, and take it to the end of the line. The journey takes 3.5 hours.
Description: The park’s most advanced slope may be the fastest in the Beijing area. Snowboard rental options are limited. Snow tubing and motor skis are also available.
5) Genting Secret Garden
Location: Gohtong Avenue, 3rd Valley, Sitaisui township, Chongli County 076350
地址:076350四台嘴乡三道沟梧桐大道
Website: http://en.secretgardenresorts.com/
Price: 370 RMB (4 hours), 520 RMB (full day), 820 RMB (2 days)
Season: December-March
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Get there: Take a long-distance bus to Chongli County at Beijing Northern Suburban Long-distance Bus Station. After getting off at the terminal, take a taxi to the ski resort. The long-distance bus leaves at 7:30, 8:00, 9:30, 14:00, and 15:30 every day. It costs 80 yuan per person and takes 180 minutes to arrive at Chongli. The distance between Chongli and the ski resort is about 30 km and the taxi fare should be about CNY 50.
Description: Genting is the main site for Beijing’s Winter Olympic bid. It features 35 trails and a snowboard park. High-quality rental gear, mostly artificial snow.
6) Wanlong Ski Area
Location: Honggaoliang District, Chongli County 076350, China
地址:076350红花梁区域内
Website: http://www.wlski.com/
Price: 180 RMB (2 hours), 240 RMB (4 hours), 350 RMB (full day), 470 RMB (1.5 days), 580 RMB (2 days)
Season: December-March
Skill Level: All levels
Get there: Take a fast train from Beijing to Zhangjiakou, then a local van or bus from Zhangjiakou to Wanlong Ski Resort.
Description: Right next to Genting Secret Garden, Wanlong is another future Olympic hotspot. It’s less crowded than Genting but has less to do.
7) Duolemeidi
Location: Xiqueliang, Xitaizui Xiang, Chongli County, Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province.
地址:河北省张家口市崇礼县西台嘴乡喜鹊梁
Website: http://www.duolemeidiski.com/
Price: 140 RMB (3 hours), 280 RMB (full day)
Season: December-March
Skill Level: Novice, Intermediate
Get there: Take a train or bus from Beijing to Zhangjiakou, then a local van or bus from there to the resort.
Description: Duolemeidi is named after a famous ski resort in Italy called Dolomiti, and each of its nine slopes are named after Italian cities. Professional ski instructors available. Chairlifts fit six people and have windscreens.
8) Shijinglong Ski Resort
Location: Jiuxiao Rd, Yanqing, Beijing
地址:张山营镇中羊坊村
Season: December-March
Skill Level: Novice, Intermediate
Website: http://www.sjlski.com/
Price: 150 RMB (full day)
Get there: Take bus 919 from Deshengmen station to Yanqing. From there you can take a cab to the resort (about 20 Yuan), or hop on the 920 bus to Zhongxin Shichang, which is about a ten-minute walk from the resort. The resort coach leaves from the entrance of Guomei Dianqi to the north-east of Maidian Qiao. Buses depart at 7.30am. A two-way ticket costs 35RMB (call ahead at 59059088 during working hours).
Description: This is a good option if you want a day trip from Beijing that’s less crowded than Nanshan. It was the first ski resort built close to Beijing.
More Beijing Ski Resorts >>
Tianjin
1) Yulong Ski Resort
Location: Yulong Ski Resort, next to Jinwei Gong Lu, Hongshuizhuang Village, Luozhuang Township, Ji County, Tianjin
地址:天津市近郊蓟县罗庄镇洪水庄村津围公路旁, 玉龙滑雪场
Phone: +86 22 2272 8166
Season: December-March
Price: 20 RMB admission, 110 RMB(4 hours), 140 RMB (full day)
Skill Level: novice, intermediate
Get there: take a bus from Tianjin Hebei Coach Station (天津河北客运站) leaving every 15 minutes from 6:00-19:00 to Ji County Coach Station (蓟县客运站) then taxi to Yulong Ski Resort (玉龙滑雪场).
Description: Tianjin's first large-scale ski resort. Also rents inner tubes for non-skiers.
2) Jizhou International Ski Resort
Location: Jizhou International Ski Resort, next to Jinwei Gong Lu, Hongshuizhuang Village, Luozhuang Township, Ji County, Tianjin
地址:天津市蓟县罗庄子镇洪水庄村西
Website: http://www.jzski.com/
Price: 188 yuan (full day)
Season: November-March
Skill Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Get there: Take a bus from Tianjin Hebei Coach Station (天津河北客运站) leaving every 15 minutes from 6:00-19:00 to Ji County Coach Station (蓟县客运站) then taxi to Jizhou International Ski Resort (蓟洲国际滑雪场).
Description: Serves all levels but primarily those with experience. Very few snowboards available for rent.
3) Panshan Ski Resort
Location: Panshan Ski Resort, 500m west of Guanzhuang Township, Ji County, Tianjin
地址: 天津市近郊蓟县城西8公里处官庄镇西500米, 盘山滑雪场
Website: http://tianjin.baixing.com/
Price: 188 RMB (full day)
Season: November-March
Skill Level: All levels
Get there: Take a bus from Tianjin Hebei Coach Station (天津河北客运站) leaving every 15 minutes from 6:00-19:00 to Ji County Coach Station (蓟县客运站) then take a bus or taxi to Panshan (盘山).
Description: Not to far from Jizhou, Panshan is better suited for beginners and also offers inner tube rentals.
4) Shuidi Ski Center
Location: Shuidi Ski Center, Olympic Center (near Lingbin Lu), Binshui Xi Dao, Nankai District, Tianjin
地址:天津市南开区宾水西道奥体中心(近凌宾路), 水滴滑雪场
Phone: (022) 2382 0533/2382 0483
Price: 150 RMB (full day) 68 RMB (full day) (group buying price, visit http://t.dianping.com/)
Season: December-March
Skill Level: Novice
Description: A handful of artificial slopes inside Tianjin city limits. Convenient to get to and good for beginners, but more experienced skiers might find it lacking.
Get there: Take bus 8, 301, 302, 306, 快速1, or 快速2 to Sport Center (体育中心站).
More Tianjin Ski Resorts >>
Changchun
1) Jingyuetan Ski Resort
Location: Inside Jingyuetan National Forest Pak, Nanguan District, Changchun
地址: 长春市南关区净月潭国家森林公园内
Phone: 0431 8451 8000
Price: 30 yuan admission, 100 RMB (2 hours)
Season: November-February
Skill Level: All levels
Get there: A taxi from the city directly to the resort should only cost you around 30 RMB and special shuttle buses from People’s Square transports customers to the resort during the peak season.
Description: Boasts one of the longest slopes in China. Convenient for a day trip from Changchun city center. Set in a beautiful national park with a cafe, shops, and restaurants.
2) Changchun Beidahu Ski Resort
Location: Beidahu Development Zone, Beidahu Town, Yongji County, Jilin Province
地址: 长春吉林北大湖滑雪场
Website: http://www.beidahuski.com/
Price: 20 RMB admission, 80 RMB (2 hours), 120 RMB (half day), 160 RMB (full day)
Season: November-February
Skill Level: Intermediate, Advanced
Get there: Book a car from the Changchun Longjia International Airport and taxi to the resort. The trip takes about 2.5 hours.
Description: This resort was the site of the 2007 Asian Winter Games and is an important training centre for China’s professional winter sports teams. Offers a wide choice of trails and slopes, such as alpine ski trails, cross-country trails and ski jumping platforms.
More Changchun Ski Resorts >>
Shanghai/Hangzhou
1) Qiaobo Ice and Snow World
Location: 2168 Conan Avenue, Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province
地址: 浙江省柯桥区柯岩街道柯南大道2168号
Website: http://www.qbski.com/sxqb/english/index.asp
Price: 330 RMB (4 hours)
Season: Year-round
Skill Level: Novice
Get there: From Hangzhou, take Keqiao Shaoxing Expressway. Exit onto Keqiao Avenue South, then turn onto Conan Avenue.
Description: Qiaobo Ice and Snow World is a large-scale indoor ski hall that’s open year-round. The main slope is 200 meters long and 40 meters wide, with a steeper, longer piste for more advanced skiers. It also has a snow park for children and luxury hotel room if you need accomodation.
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