Get on the Piste

by Olivia Hung

Skiing fans have a couple of top options in north China. Yabuli is the number-one choice, being the first resort in China to meet international skiing standards.

Tour 1, Yabuli

For a six-day tour:

Take train No.17 from Beijing to arrive in Harbin the next morning. Visit the Tiger Forest Park during the day and check out the famous Ice Lantern Festival at night. The third day, take a bus to Yabuli for skiing and stay at the Windmill Hotel. The fourth day is devoted to skiing. Return to Harbin on the fifth day and visit the ice carvings on Sun Island. Take night train No.18 to return to Beijing around 9:30 the next morning.

The 1996 Asian Winter Games were held at Yabuli. It is located about 200 kilometers east of Harbin. The resort is a joint-venture between China and the United States. There are 15 slopes for skiers of all abilities. There is also a special site designed for children. Shops for renting skiing equipment, bars and restaurants, a shopping mall, and medical center are all available.

Tour 2, Beidahu

Beidahu ski resort is only 56 kilometers from the city of Jilin. It usually opens from November to March.

You can go by air or take train No.571 to Jilin and then transfer to a bus that goes directly to Beidahu.

Some Tips for your skiing tour:

1. Wrap up well. To stay healthy, bring different clothes for indoors and outdoors due to the huge differences of temperature.

2. You don't need to buy and carry all your own skiing equipment. Most sites offer rental services for all the gear you need.

3. Stay safe. Don't do anything you can't do or are not good at.