Head for the hills: Check out these ski resorts within Beijing

Photo: Yuyang International Ski Resort

Strap on your skis and shred some snow this winter

While all the attention is on neighbouring Chongli Hebei as it's the venue for the next Winter Olympics, you don't have to venture out of Beijing to shred the slopes. Check out these great places within the city limits.

Huaibei International Ski Resort 怀北国际滑雪场

Photo: Huaibei International Ski Resort 

Huaibei is one of Beijing’s oldest resorts. 85km north of downtown in Huairou district, the resort is surrounded by the Great Wall on three sides. Huaibei has seven trails so there's something for skiers of all levels though there's only one run for the experts. If you're a beginner it's a great place to get started with a choice of four runs.

Entrance fee 30RMB (no access to slopes) 

Passes Weekday pass from 38-88RMB (rates vary from Mon-Fri, but include whole day access); weekend pass 178RMB (whole day access). Public holidays 198RMB (whole day access). Night skiing 58RMB (from 4.30- 9.30pm). 

Equipment rental 10-40RMB; 300RMB deposit for skis; 30RMB cable car access. 

Lessons Snowboard coaching from 260RMB (1 hour) up to 1,700RMB (whole day for 3 people); group lessons 120RMB (per person, per hour, 5 persons minimum). Ski coaching from 220RMB (1 hour, 1 person) up to 1,500RMB (whole day, 3 people); group lessons 120RMB (per person, per hour, 5 persons minimum). 

Getting there The ski resort runs a shuttle bus from Ginza mall at Dongzhimen station’s exit B at 8.10am returning at 4.30pm. Tickets are 150RMB on weekdays; 210RMB on weekends. Alternatively take the number 936 bus from Dongzhimen bus terminal from 7am-7pm, returning from Huaibei Ski Resort from 5am-5pm. 

>584 Hefangkou village, Huaibei town, Huairou district (8969 6677) 怀柔区怀北镇河防口村

Jundushan Ski Resort 军都山滑雪场

Photo: Jundushan Ski Resort

Jundushan Ski Village is the closest resort to the city centre with only 34km standing between you and the slopes. That said, it has only five slopes, but there is a large teaching area and a sledding trail for beginners. It also offers night skiing with great views across the city. 

Entrance fee 20RMB; 30RMB public holidays (no access to slopes).

Passes Weekday pass from 120RMB (for 2 hours) to 240RMB (for 8 hours). Weekend pass from 180RMB (for 2 hours) to 420RMB (for 8 hours). Public holidays from 200RMB (for 2 hours) to 420RMB (for 8 hours). Night skiing 100RMB.
Lessons Ski coaching from 100RMB (for 2 hours, per person. Min 10 people) up to 830RMB (for 4 hours per person).
Equipment rental from 30RMB.
Getting there Take bus 345 from Deshengmen Bus Terminal to Dongguanhuandao. Then change to bus 21 bus to Jundushan Ski Resort.

>588 Zhengshun village, Cuicun town, Changping district (6072 5888) 昌平区崔村镇真顺村588号

Nanshan Ski Village 南山滑雪场

Photo: Nanshan Ski Village

Venturing a little further again, Nanshan is 62km northeast of the city in Miyun county. One of the largest ski resorts near Beijing, it has a whopping 25 trails. There’s a great mix of trails for expert, intermediate and beginner skiers, as well as a 1,318m long toboggan for a thrilling ride down the mountain. The resort is also equipped with three chair lifts, 13 drag lifts and three magic carpets to make your day on the trails easier. Tired of skiing? Try your hand at snow tubing, sledding and snowmobiles or enjoy the snow in the DIY background.

Entrance fee 20RMB (Book at least a day in advance. Package includes entrance fees and equipment.)
Passes Weekday pass from 175RMB (for 4 hours) to 195RMB (whole day); weekend and public holidays from 280RMB (for 4 hours) to 320RMB (whole day). Night pass from 120RMB.
Lessons Ski coaching from 120RMB (1 hour per person. Min. 4 people) to 1,050RMB (whole day, 1 person); Weekend and public holidays Ski coaching from 200RMB (1 hour per person. Min. 4 people) to 1,600RMB (whole day, 1 person) Snowboard coaching from 130RMB (1 hour per person. Min. 4 people) to 1,100RMB (whole day, 1 person).
Getting there The resort provides a return shuttle service (55RMB) from Sanyuanqiao, Shaoyaoju and Wudaokou metro stations. Book (8909 1909) a day in advance. Or take bus 980 bus from Dongzhimen bus terminal to Miyun. Then take a taxi to the resort for about 20RMB.

>Shengshuitou Cun, Henanzai Zhen, Miyun county (8909 1909) 密云区河南寨镇圣水头村

Shijinglong Ski Resort 石京龙滑雪场

Photo: Vanke Shijinglong Ski Resort

Opened to the skiing masses in 1999, Shijinglong is the oldest ski resort in Beijing. While not as modern as its newer counterparts, it remains popular as it’s relatively close to the city at only 100km away. A rarity is its six south-facing trails that allow skiers to enjoy the sunshine. A resort geared towards lower-level skiers, there is only one advanced trail. 

Entrance fee 20RMB weekdays; 30RMB weekends and public holidays

Passes Weekday pass from 220RMB (for 4 hours) to 260RMB (whole day); Weekend and public holiday passes from 280RMB (for 4 hours) to 380RMB (whole day).
Equipment rental 30RMB (per piece).
Lessons Weekday ski classes from 220RMB (1 hour, 1 person) up to 2,520RMB (3 hours, 9 people); weekend ski classes from 260RMB (1 hour, 1 person) up to 2,970RMB (for 3 hours, 9 people).
Getting there Take the S Train from Dongzhimen station to Yanqing, then take the number 920 bus to Shijinglong Ski Resort.

>Cun, Zhangshan Zhen, Yanqing district (5905 9088) 市延庆县张山营镇中羊坊村

Yuyang International Ski Resort 渔阳滑雪场

Photo: Yuyang International Ski Resort

Around 70km from downtown Beijing, Yuyang Ski Resort is also a stone’s throw from Tianjin, where many of its skiers come from. Situated on Qinglongshan, Yuyuang offers some great views of Pinggu district. There are eight trails: two advanced, two intermediate, two beginners and one just for snowboarding. Movement along the trails is facilitated by two chair lifts, six drag lifts and three magic carpets.

Entrance fee 20RMB
Passes Weekday pass from 198RMB (for 4 hours) to 278RMB (whole day); weekend pass from 328RMB (for 4 hours) to 428RMB (whole day). Public holidays from 348RMB (for 4 hours) to 448RMB (whole day)
Equipment rental 20-38RMB; ski deposit 200RMB.
Lessons Ski coaching from 120RMB (1 hour per person for 10 people) to 540RMB (3 hours, for 1 person).
Getting there Take bus 852 bus from Dongzhimen bus terminal to Century Plaza in Pinggu. Then take a taxi to the resort (approximately 15RMB per car).

>688 Dawangwu Cun, Donggaocun Zhen, Pinggu district (8485 6362) 平谷区东高村镇大旺务村688号

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