Today, I’m starting off the snow season with a recommendation, and it’s time to write a comprehensive guide on skiing (and snow play).
In today’s article, I will detail each skiing destination thoroughly. The reason? You know it, many snow-related products will debut on Double 11 this year. I want to plant some seeds of interest so that when the Double 11 promotion comes, everyone won’t be overwhelmed by the plethora of snow products.
For skiing in China, the main areas are in the northeast: around Changbai Mountain (Wanda, Luneng), Yabuli, Songhua Lake, and Beidahu.
In Chongli, Zhangjiakou, there are seven major ski resorts: Wanlong, Miyuan Yunding, Taiwu Town, Fulong, Duolemeidi, Cuiyunshan Yinhe, and Changchengling.
In Xinjiang, there are Jiangjun Mountain, Keketuohai, Silk Road, and Tianchi Tian Mountain.
These are the major ski resorts; the others are relatively smaller.
The specific distribution of these ski resorts can be seen in the map below:
Xinjiang is too far, and talking about the smaller ones is not very interesting, and there are also logistical issues.
Today’s article will mainly focus on Chongli and the northeast. After all, in past Double 11 events, the major bestsellers have always been from Chongli and the northeast.
First, let’s talk about Chongli
Chongli is under the jurisdiction of Zhangjiakou City, located in the northwest of Hebei Province.
There are seven major ski resorts: Wanlong, Miyuan Yunding, Taiwu Town, Fulong, Duolemeidi, Cuiyunshan Yinhe, and Changchengling.
However, these seven ski resorts are quite scattered, spread across the mountains.
Advantages of Chongli
There are many ski resort options. In terms of ski resort concentration, Chongli ranks first in China. And due to the Winter Olympics in early 2022, the ski resorts in Chongli are still expanding.
It’s convenient, being a ski resort near Beijing, the transportation is quite convenient. The reason Chongli was able to compete with Yabuli for the Winter Olympics venue was precisely because of its convenience.
There are many hotel options. This year, due to the Winter Olympics, Hyatt, Crown, and Indigo hotels in Chongli will also open.
Disadvantages of Chongli
Hotel and ski ticket prices are slightly more expensive than those at Changbai Mountain.
Chongli usually experiences its first snowfall after mid-November. The overall snowfall is decent, and last year I remember there were about ten significant snowfalls. However, the quality of the snow, ensuring a thickness of 50 cm on the slopes, primarily relies on artificial snowmaking. The cost of artificial snowmaking typically ranges from 15 to 20 million yuan, which is quite substantial.
The increased use of artificial snow has driven up prices. Coupled with the boost from the Winter Olympics, a significant portion of hotel rooms have been reserved, leading to a rise in prices for the remaining rooms.
Chongli tends to be relatively crowded, as it is a popular snow resort for short trips from major cities, and it is nearly impossible for it to be less crowded.
Fortunately, at least in terms of transportation costs, Chongli offers some savings.
Additionally, despite its relatively low latitude, Chongli can feel quite cold due to its strong winds.
How to get to Chongli?
Chongli has two high-speed railway stations: Taizicheng and Chongli North. Chongli North is not yet operational, but the official announcement states that it will start operating from October 20th.
The main reason for this is the Winter Olympics in early 2022, during which Taizicheng will be primarily used for the athletes. For those skiing or snowboarding, Chongli North will be the station to disembark.
This arrangement is also beneficial for epidemic prevention measures.
Buses are available from Beijing Capital Airport and Zhangjiakou Airport to Chongli. There are also direct ski buses from downtown Beijing to Chongli town or various ski resorts.
If you plan to stay and dine within the ski resort, self-driving is not recommended, as traffic congestion is severe during the snow season.
How to choose a ski resort in Chongli?
First, here is a map (created by Da Gengge) showing the locations of the seven major ski resorts: Wanlong, Miyuan Yunding, Taiwu Town, Fulong, Duolemeidi, Cuiyunshan Galaxy, and Changcheng Ridge.
Chongli will host the Winter Olympics in early 2022.
Current information indicates that Yunding and Taiwu have announced policies to requisition facilities from January 20th to February 20th. However, it is currently uncertain how many rooms will be requisitioned and whether the areas will be closed during this period.
Taizicheng High-Speed Railway Station is likely to be designated as a dedicated railway station for Winter Olympics athletes.
Therefore, I recommend that those planning to ski in Chongli this year should try to avoid the Winter Olympics period.
Next, a detailed look at several ski resorts in Chongli.
Taiwu Town
Currently, Taiwu Town offers the most comprehensive facilities, the most diverse dining and entertainment options, and the most convenient transportation (closest to Taizicheng High-Speed Railway Station).
Official Website: http://www.thaiwoo.com/
Ski Trail Map (can be saved and enlarged)
Thaiwoo Ski Resort boasts an absolute vertical drop of 510 meters and a total planned 200 ski trails.
The distribution of beginner, intermediate, and advanced trails is 3:4:3, ensuring both professional competitive events and meeting the skiing needs of beginner and intermediate enthusiasts.
Thaiwoo has seven hotels: Hyatt, Hyatt Place, Westin Homes & Villas, Xueluju, Thaiwoo Hotel, Paston, and Eagle’s Nest International Youth Hostel.
The hotels closest to the ski trails are Hyatt, Hyatt Place, Westin Homes & Villas, Xueluju, and Thaiwoo Hotel. Among them, Hyatt is the nearest, allowing skiers to board the gondola directly with their gear.
Thaiwoo Hyatt is opening soon.
Cuiyunshan Galaxy
This ski resort is likely to be the most popular this year. The opening of the high-speed rail station in Chongli North means it’s just 800 meters away from the ski resort, almost integrated.
Additionally, Cuiyunshan Galaxy is known for being new and suitable for families with children.
Official Website: http://www.cuiyunshan.com.cn/
Ski Trail Map (can be saved and enlarged)
Cuiyunshan is highly suitable for beginners, featuring a super-long beginner trail in Chongli. Beginners can glide from the 1830-meter peak to the foot of the mountain at a gentle 8° slope, ensuring high safety.
Moreover, Cuiyunshan is the newest ski resort in Chongli, focusing on family and children’s vacations.
Children can participate in various snow entertainment activities, with a variety of cartoon equipment and children’s snow play tools available, ensuring safety while fully satisfying their entertainment needs.
The image below shows Cuiyunshan’s Ice and Snow Moto Park, divided into three main areas: snow play area, ice area, and snow track area, covering nearly 50,000 square meters. It offers various children’s entertainment options.
Cuiyunshan’s current hotel is Jinling Yunzhen, but Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Express are also opening soon. With the high-speed rail station in Chongli North opening, one hotel will certainly not be enough.
It is rumored that the hotel at Aocuiyunshan may not be requisitioned this year and will operate throughout the ski season.
Miyuan Yunding
One of the main venues for snow events at the 2022 Winter Olympics, the national team often trains here. Yunding’s ski trails are diverse and balanced in difficulty, offering fun for skiers of all levels.
Transportation to Genting is relatively convenient, with the high-speed rail station in Putrajaya not far away.
Official Website: http://www.secretgardenresorts.com/home
Slope Map (can be saved and enlarged)
Genting Snow Park has 41 slopes, including 13 advanced slopes, 20 intermediate slopes, 2 beginner slopes, 6 backcountry slopes, and a snow park. Overall, it is suitable for those with some skiing experience.
Genting mainly has three hotels, with the best being the Genting World Hotel, which allows for ski-in and ski-out access. Next is the Genting Grand Hotel, followed by the Miyuan Taizi Apartments.
Wanlong Ski Resort
The earliest large-scale ski resort in the Chongli area, known for its excellent snow quality and delicious food, and relatively suitable for intermediate to advanced skiers.
Official Website: http://www.wlski.com/brands
Slope Map (can be saved and enlarged)
Wanlong Ski Resort has the Dragon Palace Hotel, Wanlong International Apartments, Shuanglong Hotel, and Yuelong Hotel, as well as tents and stargazing caravans. Their stargazing caravans are a highlight, located at the top of the mountain.
Fulong Ski Resort
Fulong is the closest to the town of Chongli, so close that it takes only 5 minutes to walk from the town to the ski resort.
Fulong’s advantage is the abundance of dining options and high cost-effectiveness (as you can dine in the town). Additionally, Fulong offers night skiing, so you can ski in the evening.
Moreover, Fulong is known for having the least wind, making it the “warmest” ski resort in Chongli.
Official Website: http://www.forlongresort.cn/index.aspx
Slope Map (can be saved and enlarged)
Fulong has two hotels, namely the TangINN Hot Spring and the Holiday Inn, which is part of the InterContinental Hotels Group.
TangINN is worth mentioning in detail, as it is the only hotel in Chongli with hot springs. Those who want to ski during the day and soak in hot springs at night can choose this option.
This year! Fulong will also open an Indigo hotel, which is about to open! Without a doubt, there will be Indigo packages during the Double 11 shopping festival.
Dolomiti Ski Resort
Duolemeidi is quite compact, with a total of only 10 ski runs. It is touted as a paradise for snowboard enthusiasts and is more suitable for snowboarding.
Official Website: http://www.duolemeidi.com.cn/home
Ski Trail Map (can be saved and enlarged)
Great Wall Ridge
Most suitable for beginners, and offers relatively high cost-effectiveness. If you bring your own board, you might not even need to spend 100 yuan for a full day of skiing. However, the downside is that the facilities are relatively outdated.
Ski Trail Map (can be saved and enlarged)
For choosing ski resorts in Chongli, I’ll share another website.
https://720yun.com/t/c5vkc9f9579?scene_id=61329477
This is a map of the Chongli area, where you can clearly see the hotels, ski trails, and cable cars of each Chongli ski resort, making it super convenient.
After talking about Chongli, let’s move on to the Northeast.
The main ski resorts in the Northeast are around Changbai Mountain (Wanda, Luneng), Yabuli, Songhua Lake, and Beidahu.
Advantages of Skiing in the Northeast
If we don’t consider the cost of major transportation, skiing in the Northeast offers relatively higher cost-effectiveness. Last week, I recommended the Changbai Mountain Luneng Swiss for 999 yuan for two nights, which includes accommodation, breakfast, ski tickets, and equipment.
The Northeast is not only for skiing but also for traveling.
Take Changbai Mountain as an example. Going to Changbai Mountain isn’t just for skiing; you can also climb Changbai Mountain, visit Jinjiang Wooden House Village, or go rafting at Baixi.
You can combine a trip to Yabuli with a visit to Harbin, and Beidahu and Songhua Lake with Changchun and Xuexiang.
Going to Chongli is purely for skiing, while skiing in the Northeast is just a small part of the trip. Therefore, a trip to the Northeast is at least 5 days and 4 nights, while Chongli is generally 3 days and 2 nights.
Disadvantages of Skiing in the Northeast
Major transportation is too expensive (except for flights to Changchun), especially the airfare to Changbai Mountain in winter, which is simply sky-high.
Let me introduce them one by one.
Around Changbai Mountain
The area around Changbai Mountain primarily consists of two ski resorts (vacation villages), Wanda and Luneng. Additionally, it includes Changbai Mountain Town (Songjianghe Town), Erdao Baihe Town (near the North Slope Scenic Area), and the vicinity of the airport (near the West Slope Scenic Area).
I’ll provide a map, which might help you understand the layout better.
I’ll also include a table summarizing the hotels, resorts, and surrounding amenities in these areas.
Transportation to Changbai Mountain is relatively convenient, but this convenience comes with a price. Direct flights to Changbai Mountain during the ski season often come at a premium.
If you’re on a budget, you can transit through Shenyang, Changchun, Harbin, or Yanji, but this will significantly reduce the travel experience.
However, the ski season at Changbai Mountain is quite long, so visiting in November, December, or March offers better value for money.
Alternatively, you can reach Changbai Mountain by high-speed rail and train.
The nearest train stations to Changbai Mountain are: Baihe Station, Songjianghe Station, and Antu Station. The first two are in towns at the foot of Changbai Mountain, while Antu Station is 160km away, but there are direct buses from the station to Changbai Mountain.
By the fourth quarter of this year, high-speed rail will connect Changbai Mountain Station (Erdao Baihe) to Changchun, with a journey time of 2 hours. This will make traveling to Changbai Mountain much more convenient.
Moreover, Changbai Mountain is not just about skiing.
There is the Jinjiang Wooden House Village, full of Northeastern charm.
You can also visit Tianchi (Heavenly Lake). For those who enjoy hiking, the West Slope is the way to go, while the lazy can drive up from the North Slope.
Therefore, Changbai Mountain is a 3-5 day medium-to-long-distance travel destination, whereas Chongli is a 1-3 day short-distance travel destination.
At Changbai Mountain, you can not only ski but also enjoy a variety of other activities.
Wanda Resort at Changbai Mountain
Wanda is undoubtedly the most mature and largest resort at Changbai Mountain. Its ten hotels in the area are a behemoth in the region.
The ski slopes are also well-equipped, with options for beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers.
Official Website: www.china-cbs.com
Ski Slope Map (can be saved and enlarged)
Whether you are a beginner or someone with a passion for skiing; whether you are looking for a relaxing vacation or a high-value skiing experience, Wanda Resorts have got you covered.
Wanda Resorts are not just about skiing. They offer water parks (indoor water fun in winter), hot springs, Zhengxi Slide, Snow Play Park… Basically, as long as you stay at Wanda, all these amenities are included.
Changbai Mountain Wanda Resort features 10 hotels:
First Tier: Park Hyatt and Hyatt Regency, relatively luxurious. The Park Hyatt is also a Ski in, Ski out hotel.
The term Ski in, Ski out means that the ski slopes are right outside the hotel, allowing you to ski directly from your doorstep. This is very convenient; you can return to the hotel for meals or a quick nap whenever you feel tired.
However, Ski in, Ski out isn’t always ideal. The Park Hyatt’s Ski in, Ski out access is on intermediate slopes. If you are a beginner, it’s not advisable to start directly on intermediate slopes. Falling down yourself is one thing, but causing harm to others is another.
The Park Hyatt also has an outdoor hot spring pool, perfect for soaking in the hot springs amidst the snowy landscape—truly exhilarating.
These two hotels are home to three Alaskan Malamutes, the hotel’s prized mascots. Some guests actually choose to stay at the Hyatt Regency or Park Hyatt not for skiing, but specifically to visit them.
Second Tier: Westin, Sheraton
Third Tier: Holiday Inn Resort, Suite Hotels
Fourth Tier: Holiday Inn Express, Wanda Realm
There are also hotels outside these tiers: Hanra Mountain Hot Spring Resort, Birch Luxury Tent Camp.
Personally, I recommend the Park Hyatt and Hyatt Regency because they are the best. Alternatively, you can choose Holiday Inn Express or Wanda Realm for the highest value. I believe skiing should be like this: either you choose the best hotel for a luxurious vacation, or you opt for the hotel with the best value for a great experience.
I’ve seen the price list for Wanda Resorts during this year’s Double 11, and it’s genuinely a great deal.
Changbai Mountain Luneng Resort
Luneng’s ski resort is quite friendly to beginners, making it perfect for those new to skiing. This is because it only has beginner and intermediate slopes, without any advanced slopes.
Additionally, Luneng’s ski resort tends to be less crowded. Really! For beginners, fewer people might be the key to a better experience.
Ski Trail Map (can be saved and zoomed in)
Compared to Wanda, Luneng’s facilities are relatively less abundant. So, it’s true that some readers often mention there aren’t many dining options at Luneng.
However, the advantage of Luneng is its high value for money and fewer people.
Perhaps advanced skiers are not particularly interested in Luneng, but for beginners like me, Luneng is genuinely friendly. It lacks advanced slopes, has short and few slopes, and features new facilities and equipment.
Luneng has three hotels, but the main ones in operation are the MGallery and Swiss, both brands under Accor.
The Swiss focuses on the mid-range market, while the MGallery targets the high-end market, which is a decent combination.
Yabuli
This year, Yabuli is set to be popular. The high-speed train from Harbin to Yabuli is now operational, taking just 1 hour and 20 minutes, with free shuttle buses to the Sunshine Ski Resort (Yabuli Hotel) available upon arrival. Previously, the biggest issue with Yabuli was transportation.
Yabuli undoubtedly has the best snow, given its highest latitude.
Yabuli is the only national-level tourism resort in Heilongjiang and the location of China’s first Club Med.
Yabuli Ski Resort Map
Yabuli consists of more than a dozen ski resorts, with the Sunshine Ski Resort and the New Sports Committee Ski Resort being the most recommended, along with hot springs and a panda pavilion. Yabuli is relatively complex, making it more suitable for advanced skiers.
Of course, beginners can also enjoy it, especially with the presence of Club Med, which offers excellent ski instruction.
Another advantage of Yabuli is that it can be combined with a visit to Snow Town. The two are 88 kilometers apart, and a two-day winter car rental costs around 1000 yuan (a round trip from Harbin to Snow Town for two days costs about 1600 yuan).
Snow Town is another place I’ve always wanted to visit in winter, a fairytale world in the snow.
Beidahu & Songhua Lake
Both are near Changchun, accessible by taxi or airport shuttle after flying into Changchun, making them relatively convenient in terms of transportation. The difference is that Songhua Lake is closer, while Beidahu is a bit further.
The biggest advantage of Songhua Lake/Beidahu is transportation, with flights to Changchun being cheaper than those to Harbin or Changbai Mountain.
Beidahu is more professional, suitable for mid-to-high-end players. The largest vertical drop in Asia (870 meters) is at Beidahu, offering an exhilarating experience.
Songhua Lake is simpler, suitable for beginners or family trips.
In terms of facilities, Songhua Lake is better, being managed by Vanke.
Songhua Lake has the Prince Hotel and Green Mountain Inn. The Prince Hotel is worth mentioning; their accommodation and ski packages include two hours of childcare or access to a children’s playground, allowing parents to ski while the kids are cared for.
Beidahu has Club Med, Holiday Inn, North American Time, and Starry Sky Hotel.
How to Find the Right Ski Resort for Yourself?
First, determine whether you are an advanced skier, a beginner, or a vacation enthusiast.
For me, skiing is secondary; what I really enjoy is the vacation experience, the scenery, and the recreational facilities. Therefore, I would choose Changbai Mountain, Songhua Lake, or Beidahu.
Changbai Mountain, in particular, offers a comprehensive range of amenities including hotels, gourmet food, hot springs, entertainment, and travel options.
Advanced skiers, on the other hand, would focus more on factors such as the number of ski runs (especially intermediate and advanced runs), the length of the runs, and the elevation drop.
Ski Resort Facilities and Safety
When choosing a ski resort, the means of transportation to get people up the mountain is also crucial. In terms of user-friendliness, gondolas are better than chairlifts, which are better than magic carpets, and better than tow ropes. Of course, chairlifts with seat heating are even better, and high-speed lifts can significantly improve your skiing efficiency.
Safety is extremely important. Last year, there was a ski resort where exposed cables on the slopes caused an accident. This is literally playing with people’s lives, and such resorts should be blacklisted.
Convenience of Transportation
Chongli has become popular primarily because of its convenient transportation; it’s so easy to fly to Beijing.
Skiing in Xinjiang is also great, but fewer people go there because it’s too far.
In this case, Songhua Lake and Beidahu stand out, with plenty of cheap flights to Changchun.
Cost-Effectiveness
Currently, I have seen all the products for the ski season on Fliggy’s Double 11 sale.
Changbai Mountain offers relatively good value for money, although the cost of getting there is higher.
Chongli comes next; despite the Winter Olympics factor, the early bird prices are quite reasonable. This year, Chongli has a lower overall inventory, so I think there’s a high probability of prices increasing later.
This year, prices in Jilin will be very good due to government subsidies. Several ski resorts have received subsidy budgets, which are directly reflected in the prices.
Yabuli is actually a hidden gem; the high-speed rail connection between Harbin and Yabuli makes it more convenient to get there.
Finally, let me plant a seed. Wouldn’t skiing in the desert be incredibly romantic?
I’ll take the opportunity to recommend a hotel where you can ski in the desert. Although it only has beginner and intermediate slopes, it’s more than enough for someone like me.
The key is to ski in the desert! Snow! It’s really exhilarating!
