Chongli Ski Area

Chongli was a poor mountain district until developers recognised that its cold dry winters, north-facing slopes and proximity to Beijing suited skiing, and a cluster of resorts, Genting, Thaiwoo, Wanlong and Fulong among them, grew from the 2000s. The 2022 Winter Olympics brought the snowboarding, freestyle and cross-country events here along with a high-speed rail line that puts the slopes under an hour from Beijing. Snow is almost entirely artificial, since natural falls are light, and the season runs from around late November to March. In summer the same slopes are used for mountain biking and hiking, and the area markets itself as a cool-weather escape.

What you actually see

• The resort cluster - several linked ski areas across the valley.
• The Olympic venues - the 2022 snowboarding and freestyle sites.
• The high-speed rail link - the line putting the slopes an hour from Beijing.
• The summer trails - mountain biking and walking on the same slopes.

When to go

December to March for skiing, with January and February most reliable; the season depends on artificial snowmaking rather than natural falls. Chinese New Year and weekends are extremely busy and expensive. Summer offers cool weather and biking.

Honest expectations

Snow is machine-made and conditions are firm rather than powder. Lift passes and accommodation are expensive by Chinese standards. Weekend crowds from Beijing are heavy, and the resorts are still developing with construction visible.

Nearby

Zhangjiakou lies south; the Bashang grasslands are north.