Ski Adventure China

Our 10th anniversary won't go unnoticed. Join us for a unique, Ski Adventure trip to China. Come to the enchanting Xinjiang region in Western China. Don’t expect Apfelstrudel, Niki Lauda, Folie Douce, or conga lines. Instead, get ready for eating with chopsticks, karaoke, noodles, Google Translate, and sleeping in a converted wooden shed. This promises to be another incredible journey.

Ürümqi

Our journey begins in Ürümqi, the vibrant capital of Xinjiang. Upon arrival, we immediately experience the city’s dynamic mix of cultures and traditions. We’ll stay here for two nights, exploring local markets, tasting regional dishes, and recovering from the long journey. Just outside the bustling city of Ürümqi lies the unique Silk Road ski resort, one of the first ski areas in this part of China. The new gondola takes you up to an elevation of 2,440 meters. Most descents from the gondola are short and steep, while the runs from the chairlifts at the resort are longer and flatter. The resort features local barbecue restaurants offering Kazakh, Uyghur, and Mongolian cuisine, providing a delightful introduction to skiing in China. In the evening, we can join the local tradition of karaoke, a favorite pastime, and the perfect way to socialize with locals.

Koktokay

Next, we travel to the new ski resort of Koktokay, a region famous for its geological treasures. The area is known for its unique rock formations, and the government has established a significant geological park here. The town of Koktokay was once one of the poorest in northwest China, with many men living in small apartments while working in the mines. However, with the arrival of tourism, development has progressed rapidly. You can experience this transformation firsthand as we stay in the town center. The modern ski resort is just a 30-minute drive from the village.

The Koktokay ski resort opened during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first few years, there were hardly any skiers. However, since 2023, its popularity has skyrocketed. It is now the highest ski resort in China, with slopes reaching an elevation of over 3,100 meters. The gondola from the parking lot starts at 1,800 meters, offering the longest descents in the country. To the west of the gondola lies a vast off-piste playground. One chairlift takes you back to the gondola, and as long as you reach it, you have complete freedom to carve fresh tracks. Our favorite lunch spot is the CCLIN camp along the slope, where you can enjoy local skewers and beers.

Origin of skiing / Altay City

From Koktokay, our adventure continues to Handegate, a tiny Mongolian village in the middle of nowhere. We visited this place last year after a tip from a local skier. By chance, we stumbled upon a small museum displaying the origins of skiing. Near caves outside the village, rock carvings of skiing hunters were discovered, dating back 10,000 to 30,000 years. This provides conclusive evidence that skiing began here earlier than in other countries. The local Mongolian and Tuvan residents take some pride in this heritage. The village features statues of the first skiers, and we’ll receive a demonstration of how these traditional skis are made, offering us a glimpse into this unique sport. Afterward, it's just a short drive to Altay City, the largest city in the Altay region, with a population of 200,000.

Altay City is heavily influenced by Kazakh culture. Kazakh nomads were, for a long time, the only inhabitants of this difficult-to-access region. With the construction of new roads, the city has become more accessible and has grown rapidly, even developing a modern ski resort, General’s Mountain. The resort is known for its convenient combination of city life and winter sports. You can see the ski slopes from the shopping street. In the evening, you can optionally make a few runs on the illuminated slopes, or you can prepare for a new day of adventure.

 Altai Powder Park

The Altay Powder Park is a paradise for freeriders. While it’s an incredible spot for ski touring, we’ll be using a PistenBully. We’ll be taken up the mountain several times and, with the guidance of our local guide, find our way down. You’ll find yourself in a remote valley, about a 2-hour drive from Altay City. There are few amenities, and it truly feels like civilization is far away. After an exhilarating day in the Powder Park, we’ll drive back to the city. Perhaps this is the perfect time for a well-deserved massage.

*We remain cautious about the cat ski day. Last year, the Powder Park was closed by order of the government. If it's not possible to access the Altai Powder Park, we will spend a full day skiing at General's Mountain ski resort.

Hemu

Then it's time to travel to the village of Hemu. The route takes us through a barren desert into an extremely fertile forested region in the north, close to the Kazakh border. We ascend quite a bit and pass by breathtaking landscapes. After a few stops, we arrive in Hemu later in the day. This wooden village has undergone a metamorphosis. There are large wooden barns clustered closely together. In the past, local nomads shared these barns with their livestock during the winter months. In the summer, they would move out with their yurts in search of fertile grasslands.

Today, all the barns have been renovated and converted into restaurants, cafes, shops, and accommodations. The livestock still has a place, though it is less prominent. This area is one of the snowiest places in China. Between December and April, there is always more than a meter of snow in the village itself. The nearby Jikepulin ski resort receives even more snow, making it the perfect spot for our final days of skiing.

Jikepulin ski resort

The Jikepulin ski resort is set to become the largest in China. Currently, there are 70 kilometers of groomed slopes, but construction is still ongoing. The ultra-modern gondolas take you up to an altitude of 2,779 meters, from where you have a wide range of descents to choose from, both on and off-piste. The main building, which opened last year, is quite futuristic—this is skiing in the future. Due to the heavy snowfall, the resort’s popularity is growing rapidly, especially among Chinese skiers. You’ll find many experienced skiers and snowboarders from the major cities in the east. We were surprised by the high level of skill among the winter sports enthusiasts here. The fact that the Freeride World Tour now has a stop in Jikepulin certainly contributes to the advanced reputation of the ski area. Getting to this region is quite a challenge, which means the slopes are never too crowded. Fortunately, we have two days to explore every corner of the resort.

After the second day of skiing, we enjoy the local hospitality one last time. We drink rice wine at our favorite pub and spend another night in the cozy wooden barn (in modern, comfortable double rooms). After a hearty breakfast, we’ll go on a long hike on the other side of the Hemu River, where the viewpoint offers a stunning view over the entire valley.

Ürümqi

Then it's time to travel back to Ürümqi, the place where our journey began. Once again, we cross the Gurbantünggüt Desert. There's a good chance we'll spot some camels along the way. The seemingly endless straight road through the desert suddenly gives way to the sight of Ürümqi, appearing like a bolt from the blue. The bustling metropolis now feels like a chaotic maze. The neon lights are almost blinding, and the busy streets are a stark contrast to what we've grown accustomed to. We immerse ourselves in the vibrant city one last time. Unfortunately, the next day, it's time to say goodbye. It has been an honor to celebrate the 10th anniversary with you. China is a completely different world, but now we know it a little better. Thank you.

Ski Adventure China