Top World-Class Ski Resorts in China

When it comes to skiing in Asia, China might not be the first location that comes to mind. But with a number of top-notch ski resorts opening in recent years, it has emerged as a hot new destination for not just excellent skiing, but also a huge range of other activities—including some much-needed après ski.

Yabuli

Situated in Heilongjiang province, Yabuli is home to two ski resorts. Located in the northeast and approximately four hours from capital Harbin by car, the area has also played host to no less than three sporting competitions, including the 1996 Winter Asian Games. Having been opened for two years, Club Med Yabuli (Yabuli Ski Tourism Zone, Shangzhi City, Heilongjiang, 150631, (+86) 451-5345-8000, www.clubmed.com.hk) is building up a reputation as being one of the best ski resorts for beginners, owing to its long, flat runs and abundance of ski instructors. Classes in both Putonghua and English are offered. Facilities at the resort include 18 ski runs as well as five newly opened blue slopes catering to both beginners and intermediate beginners. Aside from a gondola lift taking skiers up to the top of the mountain, the flatter slopes are also equipped with “magic carpets,” which are essentially conveyor belts transporting skiers up to smaller hills that don’t require ski lifts. Snowboarders will find their fair share of things to do, too—while the majority of guests at the resort opt to ski, snowboarding classes are also offered by experienced instructors.

The French-owned resort giant has stayed true to its philosophies by incorporating a number of its quintessential features to be found at Club Med resorts all over the world, including plenty of family-friendly facilities and welcoming staff members. Dubbed “genteel organizers” or GOs, staff members mingle with guests and are on hand to provide entertainment during the evenings. My trip to the resort saw GOs put on their best “Gangnam Style” performance on stage at its nightclub, among other energetic dance routines. The resort also houses a large bar and lounge which is open until the wee hours, with activities such as karaoke and mahjong also offered. If you’re looking for a spot of après ski at the resort, it is also equipped with a gym, an indoor pool and an outdoor hot tub (for the very brave), a spa by L’Occitane, and even a flying trapeze. Designated children’s play areas and ski facilities accommodating kids are also available, making it an excellent family-friendly option. If you’re heading there for a winter vacation, remember to pack lots (and lots) of warm clothes. Wintertime in Heilongjiang is a long and dry affair, with the average temperature during ski season—the months between December to March—being anywhere between -15 to -35 degrees Celsius.

Getting There

Eva Air offers a flight package to Harbin, which includes a stopover in Taipei. While other options are available, an airport pickup transporting guests for the three-and-a-half hour journey to Club Med Yabuli can be arranged specifically for guests traveling through Taipei. So even though a stopover in Taiwan might seem like a longer diversion, it is in fact one of the easiest ways of getting there. Travelers can book flights through Club Med; see its website for more information.

Beijing

Think Beijing is all smog and overcrowding? Think again. Surrounded by The Great Wall and situated in Jiugukou, which is famed for its stunning natural scenery, Huaibei International Ski Resort (548 Hefangkou Village, Huaibei Town, Huairou District, Beijing, 101408) is located an hour outside of the city center.  The resort’s slopes cater to beginners as well as those with more experience in skiing, with a 5,100m ski trail that includes four beginner slopes, three intermediates and one advanced. It is also equipped with three ski lifts, affording a great bird’s eye view of the surrounding scenery. Which brings us to the pièce de résistance of the ski resort—its stunning backdrop. Skiers and snowboarders can enjoy hitting the slopes right in front of one of the most famous landmarks in the world. Otherwise, Huaibei also boasts several restaurants and European-style chalets for rent.

Another resort located near the capital is Nanshan Ski Village (Shengshuitou Village, Miyun County, Beijing, 101500, (+86) 10-89091909, www.nanshanski.com), which is linked to Beijing via a 30-minute journey on the Jingcheng Expressway. Popular with both tourists and locals alike, the village boasts ski facilities catering to a large number of skiers and snowboarders. There are a total of 21 trails, 15 ski lifts of different kinds, and three magic carpets, as well as a snowboarding park. The resort also uses snowmaking machines, meaning that the weather is never a limiting factor deterring you from a great ski experience. What’s more, sledding is also offered on a dry luge track that is 1,318 meters long. Skiers can stay at Shirton Inn, a modest hotel within the resort that nonetheless offers all the comforts one needs after a long day on the slopes.