Dancing with snowflakes and falling into a "tipsy" romance
In Europe, the concept of a ski vacation is deeply rooted in people’s hearts.
Once the snow season arrives, many families head to the Alps for a few days to enjoy a skiing holiday.
Just as they migrate to bustling beaches in the summer.
In China, skiing is also a romantic journey. With the growing maturity and expansion of ski resorts across the country in recent years, skiing and playing in the snow are no longer just for enthusiasts, nor are they rough experiences with basic facilities. This winter, let’s get up close and personal with ice and snow, and relax at a ski resort — arguably one of the trendiest holiday options.
Harbin Yabuli – Fun for All Ages
In Yabuli, winter is truly winter. A soft blanket of snow covers the earth, the air is crisp, and you’ll want to breathe it deep into your core. Club Med stands like a fairytale castle amidst the snowy landscape.
Every winter in Yabuli, the ski resort faces biting winds and heavy snowfall that closes the mountain roads. From afar, the mountains touch the sky, snow blankets the peaks, the wind whips the snow, and layers of forested ridges are enveloped in swirling flakes. At the Yabuli Windmill Villa at dawn, when the morning light is just breaking through the thick fog, put on your ski gear, lace up your boots, and head up the mountain. As the cable car slowly climbs toward the summit, you’ll see a variety of vegetation passing by. The deep mountains are home to precious trees such as Manchurian ash, sour jujube, and amur corktree. In addition to Korean pine, green pine, cypress, elm, poplar, oak, and birch, there are also wild grapevine trees growing in the snowy mountain valleys. Beyond the joy of skiing, visitors can also enjoy a more relaxing connection with nature.
Moreover, at Yabuli’s Club Med resort, you only need to pack lightly — it takes just one minute to reach the basement level and directly access the ski equipment room to gear up and head out. The ski resort is fully equipped, ensuring you truly enjoy the pleasures of a holiday.
Beijing Junshan Mountain – Skiing and Soaking, the Best of Both Worlds
Junshan Mountain is the kind of ski resort with a touch of boutique charm, especially when the warm yellow lights of the night runs illuminate the slopes, creating a cozy atmosphere. This year, Junshan added boxes, rails, and slopes to its snowboard practice area, while Italian-imported magic carpets neatly separate the snowboard and ski practice zones. The snowboards have also been upgraded to new Burton models. Aside from the seven slopes of varying difficulty and style, the resort’s user-friendly services and trendy skiing culture are also big draws.
In the cold winter, there’s always a lifestyle that brings warmth. Ski first, then soak in a hot spring — what an ultimate experience. After skiing at Junshan, the nearby Longmai Hot Spring is sure to provide you with the ultimate “ski and soak” winter experience. The Longmai Hot Spring Resort is located in Xiaotangshan, Changping, not far from the Snow World and Junshan Ski Resort. It boasts some of the best light mineral springs in China. Hidden within lush bamboo groves in the Spring Palace Hot Spring area are over 80 hot spring pools, connected by pavilions, terraces, towers, and gazebos — you’re sure to find your own private soaking spot.
Chengdu Xiling Snow Mountain – Enjoying Snow and Ice at Leisure
Currently, temperatures at Xiling Snow Mountain range between -2°C and -5°C, making it one of the warmest ski resorts in the world. Skiing here in these conditions not only offers a pleasant climate but also incredibly soft snow. Zooming across the vast snowy fields, you can enjoy the thrill of high-speed descents while taking in the purity and grandeur of the mountain landscape.
Xiling Snow Mountain is located in Dayi County, Sichuan Province, just 95 kilometers from Chengdu. Its ski resort is a large-scale alpine facility with excellent infrastructure, featuring a major high-mountain ski area, a large snow playground, a large grass sledding field, and a highland grassland sports and recreation area. The resort has 2,000 sets of world-renowned ski equipment, 10 international-standard ski runs that can accommodate 2,000 skiers simultaneously. There are also 35 snowmobiles imported from Canada and Japan, as well as all-terrain vehicles, snake sleds, and snow carts imported from Europe — ideal companions for winter sports enthusiasts.
Aside from skiing, Xiling Snow Mountain offers a variety of snow activities that are hard to resist. Snowmobiles, snow discs, snake sleds, snow carts, horse-drawn sleighs, hot air balloons, paragliding, alpine slides, zip lines, and more are all available — any one of them lets you fully embrace the romantic charm of snowy adventures.
Hubei Shennongjia – Skiing in a “Wine Pot” with a Tipsy Feeling
Because of differences in snow quality and slope terrain, skiing is an endless activity where every run feels like a unique journey — a blend of thrill and romance. It challenges you, offers the exhilaration of defying gravity, and the free-spirited romance of leaping through the air. Under the forces of speed and acceleration, gazing down at the vast white landscape from high above is incredibly satisfying; even a leisurely descent can bring peace to body and mind. Skiing is a beautiful and delightful scene.
The Shennongjia Tourist Ski Resort is located on Jiuhuping Plateau at an altitude of 2,000 meters in Shennongjia, and is the southernmost tourist ski resort in China. Jiuhuping gets its name from its wine pot-like shape. With a bit of imagination, skiing here feels like gliding into a “wine pot,” and a slight tipsiness might just help you perform beyond your usual level. Of course, the real “drunken joy” lies not in the wine, but in Shennongjia — the “roof of southern China.” In late 2012, the Shennongjia Ecotourism Area saw its first snowfall of the season, and it’s said that this year, visitors may enjoy the wild freedom of skiing a full half month earlier than usual.