Changbaishan Huamei Resort

The praise goes to what Changbaishan is known for - the snow. Reviewers compare it to the Alps, mention dry powder that does not stick to a board, and a cover that stays deep through the long winter. Skiers like that the runs thread through genuine conifer forest, that grooming is consistent with barely a mogul on the pistes, and that the patrol works the mountain more visibly than almost anywhere else they have skied.

The scale and the difficulty draw criticism: the descents are short, an intermediate run can be done in about a minute, and what is marked black here would count as blue in Europe or North America, so strong skiers grow bored quickly. Money comes up too - the lift pass is seen as on the expensive side, and rental is handed out only as a full set, poor value for anyone who needs just part of the kit. Weekends get noticeably busy.