Where To Ski In China?
Skiing in China is that even a thing?? Did you know you could ski in China? Have you ever wondered about the best place to ski in China? Well, look no further here are the answers…
In 2022, Beijing hosted the Winter Olympics and put China's ski scene on the world map for the first time. Beijing has invested heavily in its skiing infrastructure, offering modern facilities and unique experiences for skiers of all levels.
With a few resorts not too far from the city and the ability to rent gear (including clothes) easily when you get there, it makes skiing more accessible for people who want to try the sport for the first time.
Beijing isn’t the only place in China that you can try out the sport there are over 770 ski resorts in the country with the winter Olympics giving winter sports a boost in popularity.
When I moved to Beijing I didn’t even realise you could ski in China. There wasn’t much information and over the 5 years we lived there the infrastructure for skiing vastly improved.
RESORT OPTIONS
There are a number of different ski resorts close to Beijing. Most people will head to the popular Nanshan Ski Resort for the day, as it’s the closest (only 60KM from the city). As it is the most accessable to those living in the city this means it is usually the busiest place. It is a relatively small resort perfect for beginners wanting to give it a go, if you are a more advanced skier it would be great for a day but not much longer.
If you fancy a weekend or longer skiing in the Chinese mountains, then it is worth venturing slightly further afield. We travelled to the resort town of Chongli, where many of the 2022 Olympic ski events were held to see if this area has more to offer to serious ski enthusiasts.
There are many ski resorts dotted throughout Chongli valley and unfortunately, unlike many resorts in Europe, they are not linked and you have to pay separately for each day pass - so it is worth knowing which is the best for you!
I have skied in two of the most popular resorts in this area - Wanlong and Fulong Village. They are about 20 minutes’ drive from each other.
GETTING THERE
*Option 1 - You can travel by train from Beijing’s north stations to Chongli or get the train to the nearby city Zhangjiakou and then take a bus or taxi to Chongli or Wanlong.
*Option 2 -You can take a direct bus from Beijing (The ticket booking website is in Chinese, so you might need to enlist the help of a Chinese speaking friend).
*Option 3 - You can hire a private driver if there is a group of you to take you straight to the slopes.
We have tried all of the above options and all are doable - it really depends on how much time you have and how much you are willing to pay.
SKI RENTAL
Both Wanlong and Fulong ski resorts have rental shops at the foot of the slopes where you can rent all the gear you need to hit the slopes. Not only can you find skis, boots and poles but you can also rent clothing, helmets and goggles.
There are also ski rental shops in Chongli town which might be a bit cheaper but for convenience if you need to rent ski’s and things anyway we thought it was easier to just do it all together.
The cost of renting the clothing is quite low and the skis etc. are often included in the price of the ski pass. As Fulong is a bit of a newer hill, the equipment is in slightly better condition and the staff are far more helpful than in Wanlong and there are even a few English speakers among the staff who can come to your aid if you get stuck.
The system is, however, a little flawed, as there are separate counters for each item of equipment so it can take a little time to get everything you need. Make sure you get there early so it doesn’t cut into your time skiing too much.
If you have your own transport, then you could always try scouring the ski rental shops in Chongli town, as I think the kit maybe a little fancier at some of the specialist shops here. If you need to pick up any thermals, gloves or other accessories before your trip, then most Chinese cities have a Uniqlo or Decathlon store.
WHERE TO STAY
WANLONG
Zhangjiakou Wanlong Ski Resort International Apartment - This hotel offers a wide range of rooms of differing sizes. The rooms are clean and comfortable. Includes breakfast which is buffet style and contains many different options. The restaurant for evening meals is a little overpriced and of average quality.
FULONG
There are many choices in Chongli but by far the best is the Holiday Inn Resort. The rooms are big and beautiful and some even offer a bath to soak your tired muscles in at the end of the day. Includes breakfast which is buffet style and contains many different options. You can also get the ski pass included in your room which makes it even cheaper.
Both hotels can arrange ski passes at the hotel to save you time.
PRICE
Wanlong - is about ¥790 a day for everything and more expensive on holidays.
Fulong - is cheaper and we got a deal with our hotel so we paid about ¥400 a day.
*We went a few years ago so these prices may have changed
WHICH ONE IS FOR YOU?
WANLONG
Wanlong is very much a destination resort, in the Western sense of the word and it is located a few miles up the valley from Chongli. We stayed right at the foot of the slopes which was really convenient. The lift system is good and while there are lots of different choices of runs available, I would say that advanced and adventurous intermediate skiers are best catered for. The mountains in this part of China tend to be quite barren, but as Wanlong has been welcoming skiers for a decade or so, the trees which were planted to give it a European feel are more mature than in other resorts and give the ski hill a prettier feel.
Wanlong’s off-slope facilities were pretty limited when we went, with only one restaurant at the top and a couple of snack bars at the bottom. I have been informed though that there are more things now at the bottom including a Costa Coffee. The hotels at the foot of the slopes also offer a limited choice of food.
Pros
The long runs are much more enjoyable here, but it is better if you are more of an intermediate/advanced skier.
The lift system is comprised of both chairlifts and gondolas, which are good for those cold days – the thermometer regularly plunges below -20C in midwinter.
More beautiful scenery.
Hotels at the bottom so you can ski in and out easily.
Great if you just want to ski and go to bed.
Lots of runs to keep you busy for a day or two.
Cons
The beginner’s slope is not very long and there is only one real green run for beginners to progress onto.
Food was limited, as was the apres-ski.
Not much choice of hotels unless you want to travel from Chongli everyday which would take about 20 minutes.
More expensive.
FULONG VILLAGE
Fulong Ski Resort is so close to the town of Chongli, that if you choose to stay near the slopes, you could easily head into town for an evening meal. I wouldn’t recommend staying in the town and walking to the hill with your skis each day - you are better off driving or taking a taxi as it is a touch too far to traipse in ski boots.
Pros
Great for mixed-ability groups and families. There are a few bunny slopes and also a magic carpet which goes quite far up the mountain which means beginners can progress to a long easy green run as they grow in confidence.
The modern lift system is still being expanded, so the resort will only get better.
The slopes are quite varied both in terms of difficulty and length.
The food choices are great – there is a food court at the bottom and a restaurant at the top of the mountain.
More hotel choices, as you can also stay in the town as the distance between the two is minimal.
Lots to do off the slopes – from family activities in the large complex at the bottom of the slopes, to apres-ski in the nearby town.
Newer equipment and nice staff.
Cheaper.
Easier to get to.
Cons
Some of the infrastructure was still being built and not every planned lift was up and running when we went.
The area has quite an industrial feel as it is nearer to the town. It looks like they are trying to plant trees to the side of the slopes, so the scenery will probably be more pleasing in a few years’ time.
Although there are many runs, including some steeper ones at the top of the mountain, they are quite short and all seem to join one of several long, flat runs midway down the mountain which lead back to the lifts and can be a little tedious.
Our experience
Before we organised our trips we found it hard to find information online about the different resorts. With the arrival of the Olympics it seems like the infrastructure has vastly improved since we were last there. A weekend in the mountains is much more accessible and things will only advance more in the years to come.
WOULD I RECOMMEND SKIING IN CHINA?
Chinese ski resorts offer quite a different experience to the places I have visited in Europe and are not quite of the same standard. The Chongli ski resorts are still a lot of fun and a trip here is quite the adventure.
As it is not too far from Beijing it is really easy and relatively cheap to get to. If you are already in China then I think the price is quite reasonable to experience skiing in China compared to other countries around the world.
Would I come to China specifically to ski?
Maybe not, but if you are in the country over winter then you could easily squeeze a few days in. Its modern facilities and inclusivity make it a great destination for those wanting to try the sport.
Check out the video I made about skiing in Fulong, Chongli and feel free to ask me any questions you may have about skiing in China!
*This was made 5 years ago and so the facilities may have improved since.
We also made this video about China’s ski resorts when Beijing was ready to host the Olympics.