View All
View All
View All
View All
View All
View All
View All
View All
View All
Experience the thrill of flying down pristine snowy slopes — without breaking the bank! These child-friendly ski resorts in China take the cake with well-groomed slopes, beginner ski slopes and affordable prices.
Fun fact: did you know that China has more than 700 ski resorts, which is more than in the whole of Europe? Many travellers often set their sights on Japan for their skiing or snowboarding holidays, but we say that China is a more-than-worthy contender. After being picked as the host for the 2022 Winter Olympics, China has seriously stepped up its winter sports game — adding more state-of-the-art resorts and slopes to the mix.
Even better, you’ll get to save money while you’re at it! Here’s a roundup of ski resorts with outdoor ski slopes in China that are cheaper than those in Japan.
Sassy Tip: Snow can arrive by late October in the Northern bits; however, the main ski season is usually from November to March. If you’re in it for the ‘pow’ (snow quality), January and February are your best bets despite the crowds. P.S. Don’t forget to get AliPay and WeChat installed beforehand for a seamless experience.
Read More: Sassy Mama’s Guide To Hoi An, Vietnam
Yabuli Ski Resort
Yabuli Ski Resort debuted as one of China’s first ski resorts, and offers over 35 kilometres of slopes to knock yourselves out on. There are a variety of slopes (49 trails in total!) that cater to both beginners and experts, on top of one of the longest toboggan runs in the world. If you’re in it for the thrill, the Alpine piste entices the pros with a steep 805-metre drop. The trail quality is top-notch too, as it was one of the main training venues for China’s competitive snow sports teams.
Sassy Tip: Travelling with little ones can be tricky. Take it from a Mama: you’ll love eliminating the stress and guesswork with an all-inclusive stay at Club Med Yabuli, which has accommodation, food, ski lessons, kids clubs and other recreational activities thrown in to sweeten the deal.
Address: Yabuli Ski Resort, Yabuli Town, Shangzhi, 150631 Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
Price: From CNY200-500 (~$224-559) for a half-day pass, and CNY400-700 (~$447-783) for a full-day pass
How to get there: 1.5 hours by train, or 3 hours by car, from Harbin
Badaling Ski Resort
Sightseeing and snow sports in one day? Count us in. Badaling Ski Resort is located near the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China, combining both culture and adrenaline in one day. It has slopes suitable for all skill levels; the beginner and intermediate trails are accessible via belt conveyors, whilst a cable car sweeps you up to the very top of the expert route. In fact, why not make a whole trip of it and stay the night at Badaling Ski Resort Hotel? The Korean tatami rooms add a nice local touch, complete with a hearty hotpot meal at the onsite restaurant.
Sassy Tip: Don’t worry about getting any equipment beforehand; you’ll be able to rent anything and everything you need from the resort.
Address: Badaling Ski Resort, No. 66, Badaling Town Economic Development Zone, Yanqing District, 102100 Beijing, China
Price: From CNY98 (~$110) for a four-hour pass, and CNY128 (~$143) for a full-day pass
How to get there: 1.5 hours by bus or car from Beijing
Daming Mountain Ski Resort
With a reputation for being East China’s biggest ski resort, you know you’re in for a good time at Daming Mountain Ski Resort. Set against the gorgeous backdrop of the Daming Mountain scenic area, the resort has a ski run that stretches over 1,000 metres. Imagine that! For a little extra pizazz, splash out on a heliskiing experience that has recently made its debut.
Sassy Tip: Soothe your tired legs with a trip to the nearby Chuangkou Hot Springs Resort at the end of an action-packed day.
Address: Daming Mountain Ski Resort, Baiguo Village, Qingliangfeng Town, Lin’an District, 311323 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Price: From CNY260 (~$291) per hour, or CNY300-400 (~$334-447) for a full-day pass
How to get there: 3 hours by bus from Hangzhou
Read More: Sassy Mama’s Family-Friendly Guide To Phuket
Genting Resort Secret Garden
Boasting 87 trails, Genting Resort Secret Garden makes it a breeze for visitors with a trio of cable cars, chairlifts, and magic carpets that’ll whisk visitors to the top of the trails. The resort is extremely beginner-friendly, with a dedicated TBL Mountain Teaching Ski Park. Don’t be too quick to hit the slopes if it’s your first time: find your footing with a guided private or group lesson. Expect to fall a lot (padded shorts are good to have!), but you’ll get the hang of it after a while. If it isn’t your first rodeo, set your sights on tackling the Olympic half pipe that’s bound to get your heart racing.
Sassy Tip: Be sure to book your lessons in advance to secure an English-speaking instructor. Otherwise, there are plenty of Mandarin-speaking instructors available.
Address: Genting Resort Secret Garden, Wutong Blvd, 076350 Hebei, Zhangjiakou, Chongli District, China
Price: From CNY198 (~$222) for a four-hour pass, and CNY328 (~$367) for a full-day pass
How to get there: 1.5 hours by train from Beijing to Taizicheng, followed by a free shuttle bus
Read More: Where To Shop Cheongsam And Qipao For Mums And Kids In Hong Kong
Nanshan Ski Village
Be spoiled for choice with 26 trails at Nanshan Ski Village — diversity is the name of the game at this resort, with visitors being able to try skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing and sledding. If you’re travelling with kids in tow, they can get a good introduction to snow sports at the special children’s ski park. If you can’t get enough, the resort even offers night skiing from 6pm to 10pm every evening.
Sassy Tip: If you’re bringing your own ski or snowboard equipment, here’s a hot tip. Why lug everything around when you can just get it delivered? Check out logistics companies like JD Logistics and SF Express, which deliver between hotels, as well as to and from airports.
Address: Nanshan Ski Village, Shengshuitou Village, Henanzhai Town, Miyun District, 101509 Beijing, China
Price: From CNY200 (~$224) for a two-hour pass, and CNY400 (~$447) for a full-day pass
How to get there: 1 hour by car from Beijing, or a 40-minute train from Beijing to Miyun, followed by a 10-minute shuttle bus or taxi ride
