Nanshan

Nanshan is Beijing's best-known ski resort and also the largest in northern China by visitor numbers. The resort opened in 2001 in Miyun District, about 80 km from the city centre, and is primarily designed for day trips from the capital.

The mountain is low: skiing takes place between 73 and 254 m, with a vertical drop of about 180 m. There are 7.5 km of pistes in total - 4 km easy, 2.7 km intermediate and 0.8 km difficult. The slopes are fully covered by artificial snow, as natural snowfall near Beijing is insufficient for skiing.

Worth knowing

Nanshan's main attraction is Nanshan Mellow Park, China's first real snowpark. It opened in 2002 and has produced almost the entire Chinese freestyle scene. There is also a halfpipe here.

Three chairlifts, ten tow lifts and three magic carpets take skiers uphill - when visitor numbers are high, lift capacity matters more than piste length.

The resort is very crowded at weekends and during holidays: it is best to buy tickets in advance and arrive at opening time.

Snowparks

Nanshan Mellow Park: jumps of various sizes, rails and boxes, a separate line for beginners, and a halfpipe. According to the resort's official website.

Features

The resort has tubing runs and a separate snowmobile area.

Night skiing

Night skiing is available at the resort: some pistes are floodlit and operate in the evenings.