Would You Ski in China?

Lets ask the question: “would you ski China?” While not known for its terrain, or its snow, and overshadowed by the amazing skiing in Japan, why would you even consider taking a ski trip to China? The same reason you would go to Iran, or Antarctica to ski – for the adventure.

China, a country of 1.3 billion people, has over the past twenty years begun to open up to Westerners seeking to explore new cultures, and landscapes. And with a ski industry that has seen impressive growth in the last ten years with the privatization of industry and increased personal wealth, there is no better time to see what skiing in China is all about.

In 1976 after the death of Mao Zedong, the highest currency note in China was a 10¥ or equivalent to 1.20 USD at the time. Today twenty-year-olds drive Lamborghinis and private markets flourish in once strongly communist China. With this increased economic growth, thrusting China to the second largest economy in the world, leisure activities have taken center stage in the countries flourishing economy. The ski industry in recent years has been booming with over five million skiers in 2010 and well over 200 ski areas. China has also been doing well in the Olympics in recent years in the freestyle skiing aerials event becoming top metal contenders.

At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, Han Xiaopeng won the men’s freestyle skiing aerials – China’s first Olympic gold in snow sports. Chinese athletes count among the top medal contenders in aerial events at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.

Risa Wyatt

However with all this growth in skiing, there is also much risk. An estimated 80% of skiers will never ski again as a result of a bad experience their first time. And many ski resorts are in snow starved areas that only have few runs with man-made snow. However with an ever increasing level of personal wealth, and a population of 1.3 Billion, there is the strong possibility that the ski industry in China has yet to reach its peak.

China is a country with a long and interesting history, an amazing culture, and gorgeous countryside. And while the skiing may be less than desirable, it would be a ski trip for the experiences rather than the skiing. Yabuli Ski Resort in the Heilongjiang Province, is one of the larger ski areas in the country with over ten runs and a vertical rise of about 800 meters.

While most of China’s ski areas resemble those of the East Coast of the United States, it would be an interesting opportunity for new experiences with skiing. So it begs the question, would you shred pow with Mao?