Ten years ago most Chinese skiers had never seen a chairlift. Then Beijing won the 2022 Winter Olympics, the government set a target of 300 million people taking part in winter sports, and resorts went up across the north. Today a high-speed train takes you from central Beijing to the Olympic slopes of Chongli in about an hour, and a lift ticket costs less than half what you would pay in the Alps.
The skiing itself is good rather than great. Vertical drops are modest, natural snowfall near Beijing is light and runs rely on snowmaking, and the northeast can be brutally cold. The exceptions are the Altai Mountains in Xinjiang, where dry Siberian air delivers real powder from October to May, and the forested resorts of Jilin, where snow and scenery are the best in the east.
Weekdays are quiet and cheap; weekends and the Spring Festival holiday are crowded and expensive. Plan around those and China makes an unusual, affordable ski trip, easily combined with the ice sculptures of Harbin.
At a Glance#
- Closest to Beijing: Chongli in Zhangjiakou, Hebei, with Wanlong, Thaiwoo, Genting and Fulong, about an hour by high-speed train from the capital.
- Biggest in the northeast: Yabuli in Heilongjiang, China’s longest-established resort and host of the 2025 Asian Winter Games alpine events.
- Best snow in the east: Beidahu and Lake Songhua near Jilin City, and the Changbaishan resort below Changbaishan.
- Powder and long seasons: Koktokay and Jiangjunshan in Altay, Xinjiang, open from about October to April or May.
- Lift passes: roughly 300 to 600 yuan (40 to 85 USD) for a day ticket, more on holidays; many tickets bundle rental.
- Season: December to March everywhere; November to April in the northeast and Altay.
Chongli and Beijing#
Chongli, a mountain district of Zhangjiakou about 220 km northwest of Beijing, hosted the snowboard and freestyle events of the 2022 Winter Olympics and is now China’s busiest ski area. Several resorts sit within a few kilometres of each other:
- Wanlong: the original Chongli resort, with the most varied terrain, tree-lined runs and a loyal following among experienced skiers.
- Thaiwoo: a large, modern resort with a village base, gondolas and a wide spread of intermediate runs.
- Genting (Yunding): the Olympic freestyle and snowboard venue, with terrain parks and halfpipes.
- Fulong and Duolemeidi: smaller resorts that suit beginners and families.
High-speed trains run from Beijing to Taizicheng station at the foot of the resorts in about an hour, with shuttle buses on to the lifts, so a long day trip from the city is realistic. The season usually runs from late November or early December to late March or early April, almost entirely on machine-made snow. Expect hard-packed groomers rather than powder, and strong winds on the upper slopes. Inside Beijing, small resorts such as Nanshan and Jundushan suit a first lesson.
Heilongjiang: Yabuli#
Yabuli, about 180 km southeast of Harbin, is China’s longest-established big resort and has hosted national championships, the 1996 Asian Winter Games and the alpine events of the 2025 Asian Winter Games. It has the biggest vertical drop in the northeast, about 800 m on its longest runs, and a mix of competition slopes and long cruising pistes, with a Club Med and several large hotels at the base.
It is also cold: January days often stay below minus 20°C (minus 4°F). Most visitors fly into Harbin, see the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, and transfer to Yabuli by train or road in about two to three hours.
Jilin: Beidahu, Lake Songhua and Changbaishan#
Jilin City is the best base for skiing in the northeast. Beidahu, about an hour south, has some of the steepest runs in China and hosted the alpine events of the 2007 Asian Winter Games; Lake Songhua resort, closer to town, has a large modern lift system and good intermediate terrain. In January the trees along the Songhua River in Jilin City are coated in rime frost, one of the country’s classic winter sights.
Further east, the Changbaishan resort near Songjianghe sits in birch and pine forest on the edge of the Changbaishan volcano, with reliable natural snow and ski-in hotels. Fly to Changbaishan airport or take the high-speed train from Changchun or Jilin. Combine a ski stay with a winter visit to the crater lake when the road is open.
Xinjiang: Altay#
The Altai Mountains in northern Xinjiang have China’s best natural snow. Koktokay, near Fuyun, has the longest season in the country, usually from early October to mid-May, with light, dry powder and off-piste bowls that draw serious freeriders. Jiangjunshan sits right on the edge of Altay City, small and easy to reach, and drew more than a million visitors in 2025. The region promotes ancient rock paintings of hunters on skis as some of the earliest evidence of skiing anywhere.
Altay has its own airport and flights from Ürümqi, which also has a resort, Silk Road, in the mountains south of the city. Xinjiang involves more ID checks and security than eastern China; carry your passport at all times.
Lift passes and costs#
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Day lift ticket, major resort, weekday | about 300 to 500 yuan |
| Day lift ticket, peak weekend or holiday | about 500 to 700 yuan or more |
| Multi-day pass, Chongli | about 870 yuan for two days at Thaiwoo in peak season |
| Private lesson, 2 hours | several hundred yuan |
| Indoor ski centre, Shanghai or Harbin | priced by the hour |
Many Chinese resorts sell tickets with skis, boots and poles included, sometimes with a time limit of four or six hours rather than a full day. Rental gear is basic, so bring your own boots if you can. Book through the resort’s app or WeChat mini-program, or on Trip.com, which usually beats the window price. English-speaking instructors are available at the big Chongli resorts and the Club Med properties, but book ahead.
When to go#
January and February have the most reliable snow and the coldest weather. December is fine at Chongli and in the northeast once snowmaking has built the base. Avoid the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) week, when prices peak and queues are long. March brings softer, warmer days and quieter slopes. In Altay, November and April are good shoulder months with snow still deep. See our China best time to visit guide for the wider weather picture, and China visa rules before booking, as many nationalities now enter visa-free.
Dress for the cold
In Heilongjiang and Jilin, temperatures on the lifts can fall below minus 25°C (minus 13°F). Bring a full face mask, hand warmers and a spare phone battery; cold drains them fast.
For resorts in Japan and Korea, see our East Asia skiing guide, or the world’s best ski resorts.
Best places to ski in China#
More Things to Do#
China skiing FAQs#
Where is the best skiing in China?
Chongli near Beijing has the most developed resorts, Beidahu and Yabuli in the northeast have the biggest vertical, and Koktokay in Altay, Xinjiang, has the best natural powder and the longest season.
How much does a ski pass cost in China?
A weekday day ticket at a major resort costs about 300 to 500 yuan (40 to 70 USD), rising to 600 yuan or more at weekends and over Spring Festival. Many tickets include rental skis and boots.
When is the ski season in China?
Roughly December to March, with Chongli opening in late November and the northeast running into early April. Altay’s season usually runs from October to May.
Can you ski near Beijing?
Yes. Chongli’s resorts, including Wanlong, Thaiwoo and Genting, are about an hour from Beijing by high-speed train to Taizicheng, and there are small resorts inside the city limits.
Is skiing in China good for beginners?
Very. Slopes are mostly wide, groomed and gentle, lessons and rental are cheap, and most resorts have large beginner areas. Advanced skiers will find the terrain limited outside Altay and Beidahu.