Skiing: The Indispensable “Feast” of Winter

Setting off from the other side of the world — Canada. In this country seemingly born for “snow,” experience the British Columbian “winter wonderland” just like the locals.

Located in British Columbia’s Whistler Blackcomb, about a two-hour drive north of Vancouver, the globally renowned ski paradise — the Whistler Resort — offers a 3,306-hectare ski area, over 200 runs, and three glaciers to carve through. In the winter of 2012, Whistler Blackcomb received an accumulated snowfall of 1,389 cm (45.6 feet). These numbers may seem high, but they’re actually just slightly above the annual average. Over the past decade, the average snowfall on Blackcomb has been 1,192 cm (39.1 feet). The “high-speed sled” reaching speeds up to 100 km/h challenges the limits of your courage. Don’t worry — guests have dedicated start lines below the main runs to ensure safety. Families with children can opt for the kids’ ski school to introduce them to the thrilling snow world, while “snow tubing” is another joy-filled activity for the little ones. The record-breaking peak-to-peak gondola offers breathtaking panoramic mountain views.

Horse-drawn carriage rides, accompanied by the jingling of bells over soft powder snow, offer an affordable way to enjoy both stunning scenery and gourmet fondue after a tour around the enchanting Green Lake...

To recharge from the excitement and slight fatigue of the trip, stay at the Nita Lake Lodge, one of Canada’s top ten luxury hotels, where you’ll drift into a peaceful slumber as if falling asleep to fairy tales in childhood.

Switzerland: The Alps — Altitude Determines Your Heart Rate

Switzerland — a serene haven at the foot of the Alps. Its tranquil “slow life” reflects humanity’s innate desire to return to nature. Stripped of extravagance, the peace crafted by the Alps brings a unique warmth to winter. The relationship between the Swiss and skiing is much like that between Brazilians and football. From the world-famous resorts of St. Moritz and Gstaad to the tranquil village of Saas-Fee, it’s a paradise for skiing enthusiasts.

St. Moritz, located in southeastern Switzerland and nestled among Alpine peaks, is traversed by the Rhine, Poschiavino, and Inn rivers. It has hosted two Winter Olympics. The four major ski areas here include Corviglia, Corvatsch, Muottas Muragl, and Diavolezza. Switzerland boasts Europe’s longest ski runs; many stretch 16 km with a vertical drop of 2,000 meters, all clearly marked to let skiers fully enjoy the boundless thrill. Many resorts also feature expert-level, high-difficulty slopes for advanced skiers. Night skiing is also becoming increasingly common in Switzerland, offering a unique experience under the stars.

Gstaad, one of the most captivating alpine villages, is known for its ideal elevation and plateau vistas, also serving as a high-end retreat for European royalty and movie stars. The castle-like building on the hill is the five-star Hotel Palace. With 69 lifts and cable cars, visitors can enjoy Alpine romance, while 100 km of cross-country trails are a haven for skiing enthusiasts.

Skiing in Switzerland means experiencing “altitude” everywhere. Located in the heart of the Alps, Switzerland has 48 peaks over 4,000 meters and more than 200 ski resorts. Its top 10 resorts average 370 meters higher in elevation than those in neighboring countries, ensuring abundant and high-quality snow (powder) supply.

Cross-country skiing trails span 5,500 km. Skiing on Alpine slopes 1,500–1,800 meters above the tree line might be the best interpretation of this majestic mountain’s “altitude.” Slopes can extend up to 20 km. Gliding down on skis, all words fall short in describing the exhilaration.

Beyond skiing, visitors can spend days exploring historic towns and vast countryside, relax in hot springs, or take the Bernina Express and Glacier Express for scenic journeys.

Within the golden (1678.60, -0.20, -0.01%) ski resort belt spanning 41°N to 46°N lie two globally renowned mountains — the European Roof, the Alps, and the Oriental Changbai Mountain. Backed by its 16 peaks, Changbai Mountain features attractions such as Heaven Lake and the Erdaobai River to the south, Round Lake to the east, and the Underground Forest to the north. Ski runs sit at elevations of 1,640 to 1,820 meters, with snow quality closely resembling that of Northern Europe. The resort is naturally formed and scenically beautiful. Every visitor to Changbai Mountain is captivated by its magnificent landscape, feeling the insignificance of humans embraced by its grandeur.

The Changbai Mountain International Ski Resort is among the best in China. Though newly built, it consistently attracts large numbers of skiing enthusiasts — simply because it’s professional. Located on the western slope of Changbai Mountain within the Wanda Changbai Mountain International Resort, it aims to become Asia’s premier ski destination. The Wanda resort sees heavy snowfall, with fluffy, granular, and thick snow. The season lasts long — from early November to mid-April, about 140 days, with 1.5 meters of accumulation. The resort is uniquely pot-shaped, a crucial factor ensuring skiers enjoy a comfortable season without biting winds. It has 19 ski lifts connecting various areas, including two 8-person detachable Poma lifts, three 6-person Doppelmayr detachable chairlifts, two 4-person fixed-grip chairlifts, and 12 magic carpets.

Thrilling: Vast Changbai Mountain, draped in silver, is extraordinarily enchanting. Endless snowfields hold untouched powder slopes — wherever you want to let loose and ignite your passion, pristine trails await your exploration.

Exhilarating: Skiing in Changbai Mountain must include a snowmobile ride. Each surge, bump, and dash across snowy terrain sends up a spray that quickly turns you into a living snow sculpture.

Convenient: Since the opening of Changbai Mountain Airport in 2008, getting here has become easier, with daily flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Changchun, and more. International hotel brands like The Westin, Sheraton, and Holiday Inn have also set up shop, offering premium services to all visitors.

Changbai Mountain is blanketed in silver, with frosted trees like jade flowers. In this cold winter, let’s embrace the gentleness of snow and unleash our youthful spirit amid ice and snow.

Argentina: Cerro Catedral — A Journey Through Time and Space

If you suddenly wish to experience snow in the middle of summer, Argentina in the Southern Hemisphere is the perfect choice — just a dozen hours to shift through all four seasons.

Cerro Catedral is a famous Argentine ski destination, located in Nahuel Huapi National Park in Río Negro Province. From June to September — when we face scorching heat — Catedral is blanketed in snow, having transformed into a skiing paradise that draws enthusiasts from around the globe. For convenience, cable cars transport visitors directly to the mountaintop. Descending from the summit feels like time travel — thrilling and novel. Cerro Catedral features natural ski slopes, with equatorial snow peaks creating the spectacular “equatorial snow” phenomenon.

At Cerro Catedral, you can enjoy world-class skiing and unwind amid snowy wonderlands. Come summer, it transforms into a hiking haven, attracting adventurers from across the world to backpack and explore.

Skiwear is generally divided into competition suits and casual wear. Competition outfits are designed for specific events, prioritizing athletic performance. Casual wear emphasizes warmth, style, comfort, and practicality. Ski clothing is usually brightly colored — not just for aesthetics, but primarily for safety. On high-altitude slopes, especially steep ones far from developed areas, where avalanches or disorientation may occur, bright clothes improve visibility for rescuers.

The polarization level of ski goggles should be chosen based on weather, time of day, and sunlight direction. Most people need at least two pairs: one with high light transmission for overcast or low-light conditions, and another for bright, sunny environments. Professional goggles come in various types — alpine, jump, cross-country, and freestyle — but all must include: 1) protection from cold wind; 2) UV ray blocking; 3) anti-fogging; 4) facial safety upon impact. Glasses-wearers should opt for goggles with thicker frames to fully cover their prescription lenses.

3. Bindings

Bindings, also known as release devices, are a crucial component that connects the ski and the ski boot, playing an important role in protecting the skier’s safety. Professional bindings are generally divided into alpine ski bindings, jump ski bindings, cross-country ski bindings, and snowboard bindings. Except for cross-country ski bindings, other bindings consist of front and rear parts, which are directly fixed to the ski with screws. The front part is non-adjustable, while the rear part can move forward and backward along the ski to accommodate different sizes of ski boots. For beginners, due to their limited control ability, a lower release setting is recommended to ensure personal safety.

When choosing ski boots, it’s advisable to go half a size smaller than your regular shoe size, but never buy a size larger than your usual shoe size. To determine the right length, there are two steps: First, fully loosen all the buckles on the boot, stand straight with your knees extended—your toes should touch the front of the boot, but your heel should not touch the back. Second, tighten the buckles and keep your knees slightly bent, mimicking the forward pressure during skiing—at this point, your heel should touch the boot and your toes no longer press against the front.

Ski poles generally serve a supporting role in skiing, helping with propulsion, balance control, direction changes, and body support. Beginners may opt for slightly longer poles, and switch to shorter ones as their skills improve. Ski poles should have a strap that goes around the wrist to prevent them from falling off. The basket at the bottom prevents the pole from sinking too deeply into the snow, providing a stable pivot point during high-speed runs. Professional ski poles are typically categorized into alpine poles, cross-country poles, and freestyle/freeride ballet poles. They are required for almost all skiing disciplines except for technical events such as ski jumping, aerials, and snowboarding. Ski poles are an essential tool for skiers to control their center of gravity. When choosing poles, a good rule of thumb is to select a length based on the distance from the ground to your elbow when your arm is hanging naturally at your side.