Beijing Ski Locations
INDOOR SKIING
Qiaobo Ice and Snow World
Located in Shunyi District and Beijing’s only indoor snow dome, the center boasts two snow-covered pistes: one 150m nursery slope and one 260m run for the more experienced. Off the slopes there is a viewing room and event space, plus several shops dedicated to ski and snowboarding lifestyle. A 15 minute taxi ride north from Shunyi subway station.
OUTDOOR RESORTS
All resorts are within reach of Beijing and most offer accommodation at the resort if you wish to spend a little more time on the slopes than in the car. Prices range from as low as RMB70 per hour to RMB200 per hour for ski rental. The longer you ski the cheaper each hour becomes.
Yunfoshan
Yunfoshan, or Cloud Buddha Mountain, is 85km north of the city center. Great for kids, with a ski school, two beginner trails, a sledding trail and a snow playground. No.987 bus goes all the way from Dongzhimen.
Nanshan
Nanshan Ski Village is one of the largest resorts in Beijing. 80km north east of the city center in Miyun County. As well its 21 trails, the resort offers snowmobile rides, a German-made toboggan run and a chalet-style pub. A Norwegian cabin-style hotel lies nearby. Shuttle buses depart at 08:30am from Sanyuanqiao and Wudaokou.
Badaling
Just 2km west of the famous Great Wall scenic spot of the same name, Badaling, one of the smaller resorts maintains two beginners trails, one intermediate and one advanced, with a Rossignol ski school attached. A decent hotel is to the resort center with free WiFi.
Lianhuashan
Close to Beijing, these slopes are located in Shunyi District, 30km east of the airport on the side of Lianhua Hill. Targeted at day trippers, the rates are affordable but the resort still has a decent number of pistes, including five beginner trails. An express bus, number 918, goes from Dongzhimen.
Yuyang
Sat on the slopes of Qinglong Mountain in Pinggu district, 70km east of the city center, the location draws families from both Beijing and Tianjin. There are three beginner, two intermediate and one advanced trails plus a snowpark for boarders to show off their moves.
Xueshijie
Literally meaning Snow World, Xueshijie is in Changping District near the Ming Tombs. Three beginner, one intermediate and one advanced trail, offers one-to-one ski and snowboard teaching for kids and beginners.
Top Tips for Skiing
1. Safety is best. Kids should always wear a helmet.
2. Stretch. Warm up your muscles before hitting the slopes. Stretching off will stop you getting cramp.
3. Clothes. Wrap up warm but try not to put on too many clothes. Parents, it may be tempting to use clothes as protection for your child but this will make it hard to move and over-sweating can dehydrate.
4. Goggles. A good pair of goggles are better than sunglasses. They not only keep the snow out of your eyes, but make it easier to see the contours of the pistes.
5. Take it slow. Even if you think you can head out straight away, take at least one lesson from an instructor just to get some good habits started. It can better for kids to learn from someone outside the family too. It avoids temper tantrums.
6. Conveyor belts and button lifts. Always keep your skis pointing forwards, even when looking behind you.
7. Balance. When you start skiing, don’t lean backwards but not too far forwards either. Try to keep your weight in the center of the skis. This will give you more control.
8. Falling. Don’t be afraid of falling down. Everybody does it, even the professionals.
9. Getting up. If your skis have come off after a fall, make sure to place them horizontal to the direction of the slope when reattaching. Otherwise you might shoot off downhill before you’re ready.
