As 2012 draws near, according to popular internet wisdom: a winter without heavy snow is simply cheating. In such cold weather, besides enjoying the comfort of hot springs, you shouldn’t miss out on skiing—a sport that combines speed and thrill. From man-made slopes to off-trail skiing areas, from leisure skiing to extreme adventures, your options for skiing experiences are more diverse than ever. We’ve gathered information on ski spots around Xiaoshan for you—why not make the most of the New Year holiday and have some fun?
Ningbo Siming Mountain Shangfanggang Ski Resort
Recommended reason: A comprehensive alpine outdoor eco-ice and snow club
The Shangfanggang alpine ice and snow entertainment area is located within the Shangfanggang Tourist Resort. It’s a comprehensive alpine outdoor eco-ice and snow club that combines sightseeing, leisure vacations, ice and snow recreation, fitness and wellness, highland conferences, and dining accommodations. The Shangfanggang Ski Resort currently offers nearly twenty ice and snow activities, including beginner skiing, ice skating, sledding, horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice ballet, snow saucers, and ice slides—all highly entertaining and challenging. According to the manager, parking at the resort is free, and lunch comes in multiple tiers, with à la carte prices ranging from 300 yuan, 500 yuan, 600 yuan to 2000 yuan. If you’re not in a group, it’s recommended to bring your own food.
Self-driving route: Take the Yong-Tai-Wen Expressway, then transfer to the Yong-Jin Expressway and exit at Xikou. Drive toward Xuedou Temple, then continue for another 8 kilometers to reach Shangfanggang.
Lin’an Damingshan Wansongling Ski Resort
Recommended reason: East China’s largest ski resort, a true alpine forest ski area
As one of the highest-altitude and largest alpine outdoor ski resorts in East China, the Damingshan Alpine Ski Resort features a 20,000-square-meter play area and a 60,000-square-meter skiing area, capable of accommodating 2,000 skiers simultaneously. The ski slope is 1,000 meters long, with the highest point at 1,200 meters above sea level and a vertical drop of 100 meters. The resort is equipped with state-of-the-art magic carpet lifts, professional-grade imported skis, and double-layer snow saucers. Glide through the highland forests, experience the changes in speed and terrain, master new techniques, and immerse yourself in nature’s beauty. Most skis here are for alpine skiing, and visitors can choose appropriate ski boots and skis based on their shoe size. The resort offers lunch for 35 yuan per person (2 meat and 2 vegetable dishes), and parking costs 10 yuan per car.
Self-driving route: Take the Hangzhou Ring Expressway toward Lin’an and Huangshan, then transfer to the Hang-Hui Expressway. Exit at Baiguo, then turn left for 3 kilometers following signs in Baiguo Village to reach the Damingshan Scenic Area.
Shaoxing Qiaobo Indoor Ski Stadium
Feature: China’s first sports and leisure theme park specializing in indoor skiing
“Qiaobo Ice and Snow World” is China’s only comprehensive high-end sports and leisure venue that primarily features indoor skiing, supplemented by hotel services. The Qiaobo Indoor Ski Stadium covers a construction area of nearly 40,000 square meters and has a daily capacity of 3,000 visitors, offering various recreational activities including snowboarding, alpine skiing, and snow play. The beginner slope is 200 meters long and 40 meters wide, with an average gradient of 8%. It uses the internationally advanced “magic carpet” drag lift, allowing novice skiers to fully enjoy the thrill of skiing safely and conveniently. The intermediate and advanced slopes are 300 meters long and 40 meters wide, with an average gradient of 17%. Skiers can take the tow lift telescopic cableway to reach the highest point of the resort. The stadium also features a dedicated children’s snow play area, letting kids fully embrace their playful nature in a snowy wonderland. After the physically demanding activity of skiing, the warm and cozy relaxation hall in the sauna center allows guests to enjoy various wellness massages while watching the white swirls of skiers on the slopes through glass walls.
Self-driving route: Take the Hang-Yong Expressway toward Shaoxing, exit at Keqiao, then drive south along Keqiao Avenue to Kenan Avenue.
Huzhou Anji Jiangnan Tianchi Outdoor Ski Resort
Feature: Suitable for beginners, one of the earliest ski resorts; enjoy skiing while soaking in hot springs amid the snow
Snow purifies the heart and brings unexpected surprises. Here, people become silhouettes, adding a touch of brightness to the snowy landscape—the joy of snowflakes. They melt into you and me, becoming sculptures in the ski resort, frozen in the river of life. Take a sled ride, leaving behind laughter and thrilling yet safe excitement found only here. Build snowmen and have snowball fights with family and friends, as if returning to childhood. A longing always lingers in the heart. Ride a snowmobile through the snowy forests, reveling in the snowy wilderness and feeling immense joy. Winter is truly delightful.
The Jiangnan Tianchi Outdoor Ski Resort is located in Anji County at the northern foot of Tianmu Mountain in Zhejiang Province. Set against the backdrop of lush mountains, bamboo forests, and Tianchi (Heavenly Lake), its majestic lake blends seamlessly with the beautiful natural scenery. Covering a total area of about 20,000 square meters, it’s East China’s largest outdoor ski resort. The ski slopes are built along the mountain, with a total length of over 700 meters and a drop of 30–40 meters. The resort can accommodate over 1,000 skiers at once. Activities such as building snowmen, having snowball fights, and sledding are also available. The slopes at the mountaintop are artificially snowed, with seven snow machines working continuously to ensure ample snow cover, providing skiers with faster and more thrilling speeds.
Self-driving route: Hangzhou Ring Expressway West Line — Moganshan (Gouzhuang) Exit — National Highway 104 past Pingyao to Penggong, then turn toward Anji — go straight to Jiangnan Tianchi.
