Why Ski and Sightsee in China?

Because it is unlike any other winter holiday on this planet! There simply can not be anywhere else in the world with ice sculptures the size of buildings, a frozen river half a mile wide that you can ride in a horse and cart across and as for the skiing - read on!

There are two main ski resorts in China and the one we recommend to visit is Yabuli Resort in the far north near to the Russian and North Korean boarders in Heilonggjiang province. We have put information up on the second resort called Beidahu Ski Resort , in Jilin province which is further south than Yabuli and you can make your own judgement on this. We feel it is a resort waiting to take off, but certainly a case of ‘watch this space’ for another two years yet.

China is determined to gain ground on Japan and Korea as the new ski destination of the Far East. Yabuli is the chosen location. We believe about £90 million has been spent here on creating a tourists ski area on Sun Mountain - installing lifts, clearing the forest trees back to make the runs and the building of the 5 star Sun Hotel at the base of the Sun Mountain. The lifts that have been installed here are from Europe and millions more have been invested in the construction (still on going,) of chalet accommodation right on the slopes. - yet with all this investment skiing in China has not really caught on, so you have beautiful pisted runs all to yourself. Lift queues are non-existent, and the only time they might be bad is for two weeks over the Spring Festival, which this year fell on the 14th Feb - and we would recommend you to be in Beijing for the fireworks for that!

However, there is a catch - for those used to the slopes of America and Europe, where one ski ticket includes the whole resort - here in Yabuli it is different. There are 3 main 5 star hotels who own lifts, along with the Chinese National ski team. The latter is like an athletes village (and called Yabuli ski resort) and they have a good lift system - but as a tourist you only can get access to part of it - namely one long European graded red run. You then have to hand in your boots and skis and cross over to Sun Mountain Resort nearby (but not near enough to walk) and hire all over again - plus buy another lift pass. For intermediate skiers this is immensely frustrating. The hotels - 5 star that is, are excellent with lovely spa facilities, so beginners will have a blissful time -instruction is good and even for intermediates it doesn’t hurt to take an instructor to improve your technique. From a cultural aspect the agents can organise for you to eat out in the evening with a local family in the village - so although the skiing will not be comparable to Europe or America - the resort is stunning and the experience of staying there immensely enjoyable. As an intermediate skier two days in this resort will be enough. If you are beginners you could happily spend more time!

Finally we would like to suggest that you consider taking your holiday over the time of the Ice Festival in Harbin - this is throughout January and February. At this time too you can walk over the Songhua river, visit the snow sculptures of Sun Island, shop in the old town of Harbin, and climb to the tallest point in the city to view the one and a half kilometre Ice City. To see Harbin at this time of year though should not be passed up! The restaurants too are really excellent. With the temperature being so cold, comfort food like the Mongolian Hot Pot, where thin slices of lamb or other meat and/or vegetables are cooked in boiling water or a soup in front of you and then dipped in lots of sauces. Noodles are very popular with garlic and greens stirred into them. Pork ribs and warming soups are the order of the day. Breakfasts always come with steamed bread, an egg dish and meat dish. Eat lots as the temperature in the North East of China is very cold in winter! - but that is the very thing that makes it so beautiful! - ENJOY CHINA!

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ENJOY CHINA!