Live Your Best Lives
As people's quality of life continues to improve, skiing is becoming more and more popular among outdoor enthusiasts. Because the 2022 Winter Olympics will be held in Beijing, a nationwide skiing craze has also been formed.
As we all know, the north boasts unique geographical and climatic advantages, resulting in superior ski resorts compared to the south. These include a long snowy season and high-quality snow. Coupled with its icy and snowy environment, northern skiing attracts tourists from all over the country. However, with the gradual popularization of skiing and the introduction of advanced snowmaking equipment, many excellent ski resorts have now been developed in the south as well.
Next, we will make a comparison from multiple dimensions such as geographical location, ski resort size, and capacity to see what kind of people each ski resort is suitable for.
Yunshang Grassland Starry Sky Ski Resort is located at an altitude of 1,168 meters and is one of the best alpine ski resorts in East China.
Currently, only the first phase is open. The two ski slopes in the first phase are 800 meters long in total, of which the beginner slope is 410 meters long and the intermediate slope is 390 meters long. The total drop of the ski slopes is 45 meters, and it can accommodate 5,000 people skiing at the same time.
In addition to its excellent altitude, Yunshang Grassland also boasts high-quality "powder snow." This isn't pink snow, but rather small, soft, low-water flakes that are as dry and crisp as flour. It's incredibly soft and fluffy underfoot, making skiing on it incredibly light and effortless, even if you fall, you won't feel much pain.
The Starry Sky Ski Resort has a planned total area of nearly 100,000 square meters. It has ski slopes for beginners, intermediate and advanced levels. It is the only advanced ski slope in southern China that is more than 1 kilometer long (qualified for alpine skiing competitions). The ski resort is also equipped with a magical "magic carpet" to help everyone easily reach the top of the slope.
Transportation:
① Hangzhou direction: Hangzhou - Hangzhou-Changsha Expressway - Xiada Line - Caoya Line - Yunshang Grassland Alpine Four Seasons Tourist Resort
② Nanjing direction: Nanjing City - Ninghang Expressway - Hangzhou-Changsha Expressway - 023 Rural Road - Yunshang Grassland Alpine Four Seasons Tourist Resort
③ From Shanghai: Shanghai - Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway - Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway - Hangzhou-Changsha Expressway - Yunshang Grassland Alpine Four Seasons Tourist Resort
Address: Yunshang Grassland, Shanchuan Township, Anji County, Zhejiang Province
Tips:
Advantages: The ski resort opened in 2020 with brand-new equipment, a multifunctional alpine sports service center, a snow park, and complete supporting facilities; the snow is powder snow with good snow quality.
Disadvantages: Newly opened venues may have a lot of people and be congested.
Recommended index: ★★★★★ (suitable for those who have high requirements for equipment and ski venues)
The ski park is located at No. 26 Shanshui Avenue, Jiawang District, Xuzhou City. The ski resort has convenient transportation, beautiful environment, and dense original forests. The scenic area is built on the mountainside and has created "the largest ski park in Jiangsu" and "the most advanced ski teaching base in the Huaihai area" under the premise of protecting the natural ecological environment.
The ski resort's various slopes and snow recreation areas cover an area of over 60,000 square meters and can accommodate up to 6,000 visitors a day. The ski park offers ski slopes, snow tubing trails, snowmobiles, and other snow sports.
The ski resort currently has a 160-meter beginner ski slope, two 270-meter intermediate ski slopes, a 780-meter advanced ski slope, three snow tubing slopes, a snowmobile entertainment area and other snow sports projects to meet the needs of different ski consumer groups.
The ski park has 10 snowmaking machines, including 2 American Snow Gods and 8 Italian MMMSs, all of which are zero-degree snowmaking machines with powerful snowmaking capabilities. There is also a snow groomer.
Providing the best snow quality for ski enthusiasts; two 300-meter fully automatic snow magic carpets, a 450-meter long tow rope, and strong carrying capacity greatly enhance the skier's experience, convenience and safety; the ski resort is also equipped with 2,000 sets of skis, 300 sets of single skis, 200 sets of snow rings, snowmobiles and other equipment.
Transportation:
①Xuzhou City: Go east from Jianguo Road to Xujia Expressway, enter Jiawang City, go east from the intersection of Shanshui Avenue, and then go east for 500 meters to the south of Zhuyu Health Valley T-junction.
② From Shandong: Take the Beijing-Fuzhou Expressway (G3) at the Jiawang/Liuquan exit, then drive along the Jiangliu Line to National Highway G206. Turn south on Hongfu Road and enter the Jiawang urban area. Turn east at the intersection of Shanshui Avenue. Turn east at the T-junction of Zhuyu Health Valley and the road will take you south for 500 meters.
③ Anhui direction: Hexu Expressway - Lianhuo Expressway - Xuhuai Expressway - Xujia Expressway - Enter Jiawang City - Turn east at the intersection of Shanshui Avenue - Turn east and 500 meters south at the T-junction of Zhuyu Health Valley;
④Henan direction: Lianhuo Expressway - Xuhuai Expressway - Xujia Expressway - Enter Jiawang City - Turn east at the intersection of Shanshui Avenue - Turn east 500 meters at the T-junction of Zhuyu Health Valley and you will arrive at the destination on the south side.
Address: No. 26 Shanshui Avenue, Jiawang District, Xuzhou City
Tips:
Advantages: There are many snowmaking machines with strong snowmaking capabilities. Xuzhou has geographical advantages, with low winter temperatures and good snow field preservation. It is located in the northern part of Jiangsu Province and is a popular destination for tourists.
Disadvantages: The slope is too small, there is no division between the ski trails, and the mountain is narrow, which affects the skiing experience.
Recommended index: ★★★☆☆ (suitable for tourists who are not convenient to travel to Zhejiang and are in cities around Xuzhou)
Located in Anji County, Zhejiang Province, at the northern foot of Tianmu Mountain, the Jiangnan Tianchi Open-Air Ski Resort boasts a backdrop of lush mountains, bamboo, and Tianchi Lake, seamlessly blending with the stunning natural scenery. Covering approximately 20,000 square meters, it is the largest backcountry ski resort in East China.
The ski slopes on the top of the mountain are artificially made with 7 snowmaking machines working continuously, fully ensuring the amount of snow required for the ski slopes, allowing skiers to enjoy a faster and more exciting speed.
Jiangnan Tianchi Ski Resort, built on the natural terrain, is 500-600 meters long, with a 30-40 meter drop and a width of 40-50 meters (the beginner section is 150 meters wide). This is a beginner's slope, and those with some basic skiing experience can practice on the surrounding 40-degree slopes. Children and beginners can practice on the flatter terrain. The resort also offers activities like building snowmen, having snowball fights, and sledding. Non-skiers can simply watch and play in the snow.
After skiing, with the sweat dripping from your body, you must go to the Jiangnan Tianchi Hot Spring Resort to experience the feeling of "ice and fire".
Jiangnan Tianchi Hot Spring Resort is built in a narrow valley beside Tianchi Lake, facing the sun and sheltered from the wind. The hot spring water here is sweet and drinkable. It is collected from the pure ecological mountain spring nurtured by the surrounding more than two million square meters of pristine natural mountain areas.
In the hot spring resort that resembles an ancient wooden village, tourists can relax and enjoy the nourishment of mountain spring water. About 20 outdoor pools of various sizes are scattered in the quiet and elegant bamboo forest. The skin soaked in the hot springs feels warm like spring, while the exposed skin can clearly feel the coolness of the snow, truly experiencing the romance of "ice and fire".
Transportation:
① From Shanghai: Xinzhuang Expressway - Hangzhou North, enter Hangzhou Ring Expressway - Moganshan Road (Gouzhuang) Exit - National Highway 104 - Penggong - Anji - Jiangnan Tianchi Scenic Area
② Jiangsu direction: Jiangsu - Huzhou - Anji - Jiangnan Tianchi Scenic Area
③ Hangzhou direction: Moganshan Road (Gouzhuang) Exit - National Highway 104 - Penggong - Anji - Jiangnan Tianchi Scenic Area
Address: Jiangnan Tianchi, Henglu Village, Tianhuangping Town, Anji County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province
Tips:
Advantages: The main ski slope is about 400 meters long, and the junior slope is 150 meters wide, which is relatively friendly to beginners. There is a hot spring next to the ski resort, where you can experience the special feeling of skiing and hot springs.
Disadvantages: There is no special children's play area and the crowds are large during holidays.
Recommendation index: ★★★★☆ (A relatively mature ski resort with complete surrounding facilities and hot springs, making it a suitable choice for vacation and leisure)
Shaoxing Qiaobo Ice and Snow World Ski Resort is the only resort in Zhejiang Province offering year-round skiing. With a floor area of nearly 40,000 square meters, the resort utilizes a comprehensive suite of snowmaking equipment from renowned German manufacturers and cutting-edge refrigeration technology, ensuring year-round enjoyment for skiers.
Qiao Bo Indoor Ski Hall has a construction area of nearly 40,000 square meters and a daily reception capacity of 3,000 people. The ski hall has four facilities including a children's snow play park, a snowboard park, a beginner ski slope, and an intermediate and advanced ski slope to meet the different needs of snowboard and double-board enthusiasts.
The ski resort utilizes state-of-the-art artificial snowmaking and refrigeration technology, maintaining a constant temperature of around -3°C. The beginner's trail is 200 meters long and 40 meters wide, with an average slope of 8%. The intermediate and advanced trails are 300 meters long and 40 meters wide, with an average slope of 17%.
The ski resort also has a children's snow park specially designed for children, allowing them to fully develop their lively and innocent nature in the fairy tale world of ice and snow. The thickness of various snow slopes is 60-80 cm.
After a lot of physical exertion from skiing, the warm and comfortable rest hall of the sauna center allows guests to enjoy various health recovery massages while watching the white whirlwinds on the snow slopes through the glass walls.
Transportation:
① Yuecheng District: Renmin Middle Road – Zhongxing Middle Road – Zhongxing North Road – National Highway 104/Second Ring Road North – China Textile City Interchange, then turn onto Conan Avenue. (16.3 km, 23 minutes by car)
② Hangzhou direction: Take the Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway to Shaoxing direction, exit at Keqiao, and drive south along Jinkeqiao Avenue to Kenan Avenue. (68 km, 50 minutes)
③ Jinhua Direction: Hangzhou-Jinhua-Quzhou Expressway - Xiaoshan East/G104 - National Highway 104 - China Textile City Interchange, then turn onto Conan Avenue. (Driving time: 1.5 hours)
Address: No. 218, Kenan Avenue, Keyan Street, Shaoxing County, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province
Tips:
Advantages: The indoor ski resort is open all year round and has a children's snow park designed specifically for children, making it suitable for family activities.
Disadvantages: Indoor skiing doesn't offer the thrill of outdoor skiing, and coaching (one-on-one private instruction) is expensive and short-term. The venue's service needs improvement, and the indoor space is limited, so the capacity is limited.
Recommendation index: ★★★☆☆ (low threshold for children, with children's play area, suitable for family outings and parent-child activities)
The Daming Mountain Ski Resort in Lin'an, Hangzhou, has a total investment of more than 50 million yuan and can accommodate 3,000 people skiing at the same time. It is currently the highest-altitude and largest snow-viewing, snow-playing and skiing park in East China.
Daming Mountain Alpine Ski Resort is located in the Daming Mountain Scenic Area, covering an area of more than 50,000 square meters, with an altitude of 1,200 meters. The ski slope is about 1,000 meters long and 80 meters wide, with a drop of 250 meters. It is a veritable alpine forest ski resort.
It not only has a 5,000 square meter snow play area and a 20,000 square meter ski area, but is also equipped with snow groomers imported from Germany, snowmaking machines imported from Italy and the United States, international-level magic carpet conveyors, professional-grade imported skateboards, ski suits, double-layer snow rings and other special equipment.
Compared with adventure tourism projects such as rock climbing and bungee jumping, skiing is more romantic and exciting, making it one of the highest, largest and best-equipped alpine outdoor ski resorts in East China so far.
Transportation:
① Hangzhou direction: Hangzhou-Anhui Expressway (Hangzhou-Ruili Expressway) (get on the expressway at Liuxiakouzi) - S102 (get off the expressway at Baiguokouzi) - Hebai Line - Dada Line - Daming Mountain Scenic Area
② From Shanghai: Shanghai Ring Road - Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway - Hangzhou Ring Road - Hangzhou-Anhui Expressway (Hangzhou-Ruili Expressway) - S102 (get off the Baiguokouzi Expressway) - Hebai Line - Dada Line - Damingshan Scenic Area
③ From Suzhou: Sujiahang Expressway - Shenjiahu Expressway - Hangzhou Ring Road - Hangzhou-Anhui Expressway (Hangzhou-Ruili Expressway) - S102 (get off at Baiguokouzi Expressway) - Hebai Line - Dada Line - Damingshan Scenic Area
④ Nanjing direction: Ninghang Expressway - Hangzhou Ring Road - Hangzhou-Anhui Expressway (Hangzhou-Ruili Expressway) - S102 (get off the Baiguokouzi Expressway) - Hebai Line - Dada Line - Daming Mountain Scenic Area
Address: Daming Mountain Scenic Area, beside Daming Lake, Lin'an District, Hangzhou (near the Baiguo Exit of the Shanghanghui Expressway)
Tips:
Advantages: Large drop, alpine forest skiing, advanced equipment, 5,000 square meters of snow play area and 20,000 square meters of ski area
Disadvantages: Suitable for self-driving, other modes of transportation are inconvenient, the supporting dining area needs to be improved, and there are not many foods.
Recommended index: ★★★★★ (with a higher altitude and wider ski trails, suitable for ski enthusiasts who seek exciting challenges)
The First Peak covers an area of more than 90,000 square meters and has three ski slopes, one for beginners, one for waves, and one for thrills. There is also a small practice slope and a children's ski training base.
Three distinct slopes cater to skiers and grass skiers of varying skill levels. The slopes are spacious, open, and feature a variety of undulating terrain. Equipped with state-of-the-art large-scale snowmaking machines, magic carpets, tow lifts, and double chairlifts, the resort boasts fully artificial snowmaking, ensuring high-quality snow with depths ranging from 30 to 150 centimeters.
Winter skiing activities include snowboarding, ski jumping, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snow tubing, snowmobiling, and sled snakes.
Transportation:
① If you are not driving by car: Take the Ma'ao minibus from Ninghai Terminal to Ma'ao, Yezhukeng Village, and then to the final destination.
② Self-driving: Ningbo Ring Road - Yongtaiwen Expressway (exit at Ninghai Exit and drive towards Meilin) - Shenzhen (Cun) Town - Ninghai Zhejiang East First Peak Ski Resort; search for Ma'ao or Yezhukeng Village on the navigation.
Address: Yezhukeng, Shencun Town, Ninghai County, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province
Tips:
Advantages: There are many types of ski slopes, a large area, and many types of skiing events;
Disadvantages: No children's price, high coaching fees, and due to its geographical location, high temperatures have a greater impact on the ski resort.
Recommendation index: ★★★☆☆ (spacious ski slopes and open space, suitable for tourists from cities around Ningbo)
Shanglianggang Alpine Ecological Ski Club is located in Shanglianggang Tourist Resort. Relying on the unique climate and geographical advantages of "Siming's First Mountain", adhering to the "green ecology" business philosophy, it is designed and built strictly in accordance with international standards and the physical characteristics of the Chinese people. It is currently the only comprehensive alpine outdoor ecological ski club in southern China that integrates tourism, ice and snow entertainment, fitness training, leisure and health, catering and accommodation.
The snowmaking area of the ski resort is 16,000 square meters, and the comprehensive service facilities cover an area of more than 2,000 square meters. The ski slope is built along the mountain. The end line of the slope is 42 meters wide, the bottom line is 80 meters wide, and the total length is about 500 meters. The appearance is trapezoidal.
The maximum slope of the ski slope is 18 degrees, with a drop of more than 30 meters. It offers nearly ten ice and snow entertainment projects, including skiing, skating, tubing, snow saucer, snowman building, snowball fights, ice slides, etc., which are extremely entertaining and challenging.
Transportation:
① By car: Ningbo - Xikou - Xuedou Temple - Shanglianggang.
Specific route: Tourists from all over the country can first go to Ningbo (some highways exit at Fenghua), then reach Xikou Town, and then drive in the direction of Xuedou Temple. After arriving at Xuedou Temple, continue to drive forward according to the signs for 8 kilometers to reach Shanglianggang.
②Bus: Minibus from Ningbo to Xikou, and regular bus from Xikou to Shanglianggang (but there are only two buses a day, which is relatively rare).
③ Ningbo City: Take the Yong-Tai-Wen Expressway and turn onto the Yong-Jin Expressway at Xikou Exit, then go to Xikou Xuedou Temple and Dongao to reach Shanglianggang Scenic Area.
④Train: You can take a train from any place to Ningbo first, and then take a bus from the long-distance bus station next to Ningbo Railway Station to Xikou. There are several tourist buses from Xikou Station that go directly to Shanglianggang every day.
Address: Shanglianggang Scenic Area, Xikou, Fenghua City, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province
Tips:
Advantages: Suitable for beginners skiing, with many ice and snow entertainment activities;
Disadvantages: The transportation is not very convenient. There is nearly 20 kilometers of winding mountain road for self-driving. The order is relatively chaotic during the peak season.
Recommended index: ★★★☆☆ (There are many snow activities, suitable for ski enthusiasts who want to experience a variety of snow activities)
Skiing is a dynamic and exciting sport. Jiangnan's winters are short, so there's no need to travel to the cold north. There are a variety of ski resorts right at our doorstep.
There's the 2020 new alpine ski resort, Yunshang Grassland Ski Resort; the Shaoxing Qiaobo Ski Resort, an indoor ski resort open year-round for anytime skiing; the Xuzhou Dajingshan Ski Resort, perfect for those in northern Jiangsu; and the high-altitude Wansongling Ski Resort, nestled in the Daming Mountain Scenic Area...
Don't hesitate, this winter, in the world covered in snow, put on a bright ski hat, hold ski poles, and ski on your feet to ski on the snow.
(Some pictures are from the official websites of various ski resorts)
