Skiing in China?

[clarke]

This may seem strange for this board, but I'm going to China and thinking about taking my gear. Has anyone from the northeast ever skied in China? How long was the trip to get there? And most important, what were the pistes like?
thanks.
c.

 

[Angus]

there was an article in yesterdays or the last weekend's WSJ that referenced a ski area built by the chinese gov't for the winter asian games or something like that back in the late '90's...it said that the area was totally worn down. you should go to the northern islands of japan - it's just a quick hop over! the article was about the construction projects and future uses of the 2008 olympic buildings.

 

[ctenidae]

There's this place in Shanghai- http://www.gadling.com/2007/03/01/indoor-skiing-in-china-and-more/

I'll be there (well, China, anyway) in a couple of weeks, but I'm not bringing any gear with me.

 

[gladerider]

it is my understanding that they rent 80's equipment. lugging your equipment is a lot of work. i don't know how challenging the slope are but so far what i've read indicated that the skiing etiquette pretty much doesn't exist. since they are pretty new to the sport. i would pack my helmet....

have fun..

 

[millerm277]

Here's what I've found...

http://www.business-in-asia.com/skichina.html

 

[tekweezle]

i have heard that Korea actually has a ski resort with winter like weather.

i think I heard that the chinese resort relies on snowmaking.

 

[ctenidae]

i think I heard that the chinese resort relies on snowmaking.

So, it's a lot like New England?

 

[tcharron]

So, it's a lot like New England?

Yea, except their version of AlpineZone is an underground message board utilizing encrypted communication to prevent going to prison when complaing about it.

 

[tekweezle]

>>So, it's a lot like New England?

sounds more like the mid west or mid atlantic!

 

[clarke]

Sounds like a lot of places. Snowmaking today is almost a necessity.
I've skiied Muju Resort in Korea. It wasn't too bad.

Back to my original post:
I found on Moosh.com that someone is building a new (what they say is a) "five-star" ski resort in China's Xinjiang. Had to look that one up.
see: www.pingtianresorts.com
The place looks pretty serious. Maybe I'll be taking my gear after all.

 

[gladerider]

last i heard, korea has been quite warm recently.

 

[ChinaSkiTours]

By now the ski season is over in China. However, the Chinese ski scene is nowhere as dismal as it may seem. Yabuli is indeed quite worn. However, it is very friendly and you can find decent equipment if you persist. Better areas are Wanlong and Beidahu, both of which would rate as good NE ski areas. New lifts, hotel and base lodges and good modern equipment. See my site at chinaskitours.com

 

[wa-loaf]

I found on Moosh.com that someone is building a new (what they say is a) "five-star" ski resort in China's Xinjiang. Had to look that one up.
see: www.pingtianresorts.com
The place looks pretty serious. Maybe I'll be taking my gear after all.

Look like it's still in development so you'll be hiking if you head up there. Also, It's way the heck out of the way from most places you'd likely be doing business. China is huge, it's like saying you are going to NY and you want to check the skiing in Alaska.:grin:

 

[ChinaSkiTours]

China has a ton of high mountains and it is just a matter of time before someone develops a world class resort. This could be it. It is surrounded by 13,000' peaks and ridges and is an area of year round snow cover in the highest elevations. There are 11 flights per day from Beijing (5 1/2 hours, $160 RT) and 6 from Shanghai (7 1/2 hours, $220 RT) so it is about like being in NY and wanting to go skiing in Colorado. Not a big issue if the skiing is good enough. That will be the issue. China is full of large developments that miss their mark. A Chinese resort has to attract Chinese skiers to be successful. Whether they will travel to Xinjiang will remain to be seen. I will go check it out next winter and post on my site www.chinaskitours.com.

BTW, forget taking your gear unless you are a Tele skier (there are no tele skiers or equipment in China). It is a hassle to lug around (cabs are small) and these days if the place is worth going to ski, they have good modern rentals including clothing.

 

[nycskier]

A good friend of mine (and ski buddy) lives in Bejing. He says the skiing around there is nothing to brag about and the season usually ends around mid March.

But a 3 hour flight away near Yabuli it is suppose to be alright.

If you did ski there please let me know how it was because I would love to take a trip next season!

 

[ChinaSkiTours]

The more popular ski areas around Beijing are like going to Blue Hills in Boston excpet with 10 times as many people on them, all beginners! To be avoided on weekends. Yabuli is a 2+ hour drive from Harbin, which is a 1 1/2 hour flight from Beijing. Harbin is worth seeing in the winter and if you were there Yabuli is the best closest skiing. When I was there last year, it was indeed tired and needing work. They claim they will be doing it, but a failed attempt to get an investor this year has likely delayed it, so it may still be tired. Better choices with decent skiing and facilities are Wanlong and Beidahu, both about 4 hours from Beijing. Skied both this past winter and enjoyed both.

 

[ctenidae]

Qai Bo was pretty cool. Indoors, and all.

 

[ctenidae]

Here's what I've found...

http://www.business-in-asia.com/skichina.html

Those guys were the trip partners for the Northeastern EMBA trip I just got back from. Chris Runkel did a great job for us, as did Larry Lin at Beijing Xindu International Travel Service (Larry hooked us up in a big way at the indoor ski dome). I don't like to shill for anyone, but I have to complement both those guys for doing great jobs. If you need any travel services in China, I'm more than happy to get you contact info for both/either.

 

[ChinaSkiTours]

Please be aware that the information on the business-in-asia site is very dated and inaccurate.