As the first snow of the winter falls on Beijing, competition hots up between 10 outlying ski resorts vying for our custom.
What makes one resort stand out from the others?
Located about 80 kilometers northwest of downtown Beijing and about 10 kilometers from the town of Yanqing County, Beijing Shijinglong Ski Area's size, advanced facilities and first-rate service certainly help distinguish it from the average ski resort.
Located near the Longqingxia Scenic Spot and Guanting Reservoir, Shijinglong Ski Area was the first in the vicinity opened to skiers in 1999.
Now a regular venue for amateur skiers, Shijinglong attracted about 80,000 visitors last winter over the course of a three-month season.
An ideal site for both novice and veteran skiers to test their skills navigating the giant alpine slalom, Shijinglong also invites skiers to participate in its ski competition every winter.
Covering an area of 35 hectares, the resort is equipped with imported snow-making machines to ensure sufficient amounts of powder each day. The ski lifts can send 600 people to the top of the slopes every hour.
Snowboarding, sleigh rides, curling, ice climbing, and ice-skating are also available. You can even arrange to ski by moonlight!
Shijinglong has the largest snowmaking operation of Beijing's suburban ski slopes, assuring the best possible conditions regardless of the season.
For those who love ice sculptures, there is chance to make your own in the ice square, where huge blocks are prepared.
First-timers are important to the Shijinglong Ski Slopes. The staff, from rental equipment technicians to instructors, take extra care to make sure their first day is a great one.
More than 500,000 skiers and boarders, beginners and advanced skiers have benefited from the instruction offered by the professionals at Shijinglong Ski Slopes.
Lodging is available on-site and additional hotels are nearby. Star-rated hotels can be found in Yanqing Town.
Once at the slopes, the following tips will held you through the preparation process and get you out on the slopes for a great day.
If driving, tip number one is to arrive early to ensure a parking place. On weekends in particular, the parking lot gets very crowded.
Snow conditions are generally best in the morning. Lockers are available for rent in the facility for your belongings
Ski fee: 80 yuan (US$9.60) for a one-hour run. It includes ski facility rent, parking and the personal locker rent.
For those with their own clothing and skis, the fee is 50 yuan (US$6) per hour.
Cost for dining at the resort is not included in this figure.
To get there: take bus No 919 from Deshengmen on the North Second Ring Road to Yanqing and then change taxi or mini-bus to the slopes. Alternatively, go along Badaling Highway to Yanqing and then take State Road 110 to the ski resort.
Hours of operation: 8:30 am to 6 pm.
Telephone: 010-69191617 69191615.
(Beijing Weekend December 23, 2002)
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