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A Rustic Experience?

Is there a place where you can get that fireplace-type experience after a few runs. I know that China isn't exactly Switzerland, but maybe someone has put together a resort that gives the romantic feel (even if the skiing isn't optimal).

Comments

Rustic Fireplace experience

On October 25th, 2007 tom (moderator) says:

The warming hut on the top of Wanlong is a rustic log cabin setting that comes close.

Apres Ski

On October 25th, 2007 Christoph (moderator) says:

There are a few places where you can rent more or less on the ski slopes (or nearby) a wooden "Canada style" lodge. Forget about the fireplace (where the hell can you find enough wood in these areas?) but the huts are cozy and with an electric water boiler, a few bottles of wine and some spices / sugar you can cook your Gluehwein and then you come pretty close to the Alpine Apres Ski experience, especially when you are a bunch of people sharing the same philosophy and weekend....

Wooden houses with several sleeping rooms at reasonable rates you can find in Jundushan, Nanshan and Badaling, about the other resorts I dont know. But as most resorts are owned by real estate companies or quite close linked to them, there are probably more. As Tom mentioned Wanlong has on the summit quite a cozy wooden house which is perfect for a break between the runs. They offer beer at 8 RMB, coffee, tea, some soft drinks and for food jiaozi. Unfortunately I still coulodnt persuade them to offer Gluehwein and Jagegertee, but I am working on it. AND they have at least an electric fireplace which adds some style...

Cheers
Christoph

Chris Devonshire-Ellis

On October 29th, 2007 Anonymous says:

I thought Yabuli up at Harbin was a blast, I've skiied there a few times. It's cold so the snow freezes and is fast on the black runs, and all the moguls in China go and live there, but it's fun and a challenge. You have to really dig in and watch out for those icy patches. Good begineers slopes lower down also with English and Chinese speaking instructors. I get a real sense of achivement skiing down Yabuli's black runs without wiping out, and it's well worth the thrill.

Tip : Watch your back at the starting point for the main runs where the ski lift ends, you get Chinese with no experience just hurl themselves down the slope with no knowledge of ski ettiquette so you have to watch your back on that first slope. But most of them don't make it any further than that and the rest of the runs are usually OK, if icy. Careful through the trees you don't want to do a Sonny Bono and headbutt one, the black run there is narrow and fast.

Skiing in Shangri-La (Zhongdian)

On November 21st, 2007 Joseph K (not verified) says:

Hi skiiers and Snow boarders,

If anyone coming to Yunnan ... check this out ! there is a ski resort operating out of Shangri-La (Zhongdian).

Its new but it have a nice and safe chair lift system. Its still expanding ... heard that they are planning to open more runs.

Best of all ... its not expensive.

So if anyone coming by ... drop me a mail yeah?

Happy skiing and boarding!

Joseph K

Changes in the China ski scene

On November 25th, 2007 tom (moderator) says:

A significant change may be coming to the Chinese ski scene over the next year or two as the casino and recreation giant, Hong Kong and Australian based Melco has announced a major investment strategy in Chinese ski resorts starting with Yabuli. From the Melco web site:

MELCO CHINA RESORTS
While China’s tourism activities are currently focused on the awe-inspiring historical and cultural attractions such as The Great Wall and The Forbidden City, China is a country rich in tremendous natural attractions. So take China’s mountainous terrain, the increasing prosperity of the Chinese people and their enthusiasm for leisure, recreation and sporting pursuits, and one has the ingredients for an exhilarating new venture for Melco – destination ski resorts.

Melco has identified the largest and most exceptional portfolio of attractive existing ski resorts possessing location advantages, dominant market positions and healthy expansion potential. The first projects include Yabuli in Harbin, two resorts in Jilin Province, and a fourth mountain located close to the major market of Beijing, with more sites under consideration.

With this investment, Ping Tian in Urumqi and further development by existing and new areas, there may be more and more oportunities for a winter sports scene very worthy of regular participation.

Shangri-la ski resort

On November 25th, 2007 tom (moderator) says:

Does anyone have any particulars on the Shangri-La ski resort? Name? Web Site?

would love to send you some pictures

On November 28th, 2007 Joseph Keh (not verified) says:

Hi Tom

Its Joseph ... drop me a mail and i will send you some pictures!

Joseph

Shangri-la ski resort

On December 12th, 2007 tom (moderator) says:

Joseph, send me your address at tnt@ChinaSkiTours.com

skiing / snowboarding off the tracks

On December 16th, 2007 Marcelo (not verified) says:

Hi Joseph,

I am looking for some ¨off the tracks¨ experience for this chinese new year. I am snowboarder and would go around with snow rackets. Skiers can use the seal skins under their skis. Could be around some small resort as the one you point out, but need organize, guide, etc.

Hope find someone interested!!!

Shangri-la / Zhongdian

On January 13th, 2008 Val (not verified) says:

Hey there,
What's up?
I am a swiss girl, snowboarder, currently visiting Shanghai. How far and how easy is it to get to Zhongdian from Shanghai for snowboarding? Airplane?...then car ride? or bus?
How about accomodation? equipment rental?

Really keen to go up high and breath fresh, cold mountain air again :-)

Thx for info.
Happy boarding,

Val

Hi Val If you want to get to

On January 17th, 2008 Christoph (moderator) says:

Hi Val

If you want to get to Zhongdian, take a flight Shanghai - Kunming and Kunming - Zhongdian. Same fro the way back. Of course, once you are in the area, it's worth to visit also Lijiang (has also an airport).

However, it might be easier to fly to Beijing and go skiing in that area, as it is less distance to fly and the skiing around Beijing certainly better, especially when you go to Wanlong or Dolomiti.

If you have other specific questions, you can always send me an e-mail (cmueller@hiddenchina.net).

In Beijing it's snowing today and tomorrow we head for Wanlong for a weekend ride! Hope there will be at least a little fresh snow!

Cheers from a Swiss guy

Christoph

Zhongdian Ski resort

On March 9th, 2008 tom (moderator) says:

It seems that the resort in shangri-La (Zhongdian) is another small elevation beginners slope and not in the same class as the resorts of Wanlong, Dolomiti, Beidahu and Yabuli. Shangri-La and Lijiang are certianly worth visiting on their own and the skiing would be a plus but, it seems, not really a viable option for a real ski trip.

March Ski Conditions

On March 9th, 2008 tom (moderator) says:

As the ski season draws to a close for 2008 it is important to check the conditions before heading out to one of the major resorts. This time of year the daytime temperatures are often above freezing but below freezing at night causing ice conditions if the grooming is not done properly. At present, both Wanlong and Beidahu are operating everyday. Wanlong expects to operate until March 30, but Beidahu does not know how much longer they will operate. It is also likely that they will cut back to just weekends before they finally close for the season. Wanlong has 4 lifts and most slopes still operating while Beidahu has two lifts and two slopes open (one beginners and one advanced). Dolomiti should be the same as Wanlong conditions but with its limited first year terrain and single lift.