China isn’t the first place that comes to mind when Australians think about snow travel but maybe it should be. Plan it right and combine it with sightseeing in Beijing or the Great Wall of China, and you get a glimpse into a civilisation shaped over thousands of years, where ancient traditions, culture and history still underpin the modern experience.
Tucked into the mountains of Jilin Province, Beidahu Ski Resort is a destination that feels surprisingly familiar. The base village hums with activity, lined with international snow brands, Burton among them and a growing collection of modern ski-in ski-out hotels. Sunshine Coast-based skier Benjamin Tuffy recently visited with his wife Erin and two young children and was impressed.
“It was super cool, we didn’t expect it to be so big. We arrived at night and there were still about seven runs open. Check-in was seamless, and I’d ordered a helmet we’d forgotten via the app on the way up, it was already in our hotel room when we arrived!”
Getting there is straightforward. A flight into Changchun, or a high-speed rail journey from Beijing, followed by a short transfer, delivers you into a purpose-built alpine resort where everything revolves around the mountain. It’s a trip that offers a clear window into modern China, efficient, connected, and highly organised.
“The bullet train was exciting for the family,” Ben says. “We got on at Beijing Station and it took just 2.5 to 3 hours. The transfer felt like driving through Canada – really scenic. When we arrived everything was lit up – the chairlifts, the trees, even sculptures everywhere. It was amazing.”
Terrain
Wide, immaculately groomed runs sweep through forested terrain, offering space and flow. “There was plenty of terrain to cater for all levels, my level is intermediate-advanced but there were super-wide trails for our seven-year-old. He managed really well, and the runs reminded us of Sun Peaks for that confidence-building aspect.”
The resort continues to expand steeper lines and off-piste options, with Ben confirming there are solid black runs for those looking for more challenge. Terrain parks are also evolving season to season. “We really liked their numbered run system rather than the Western custom of naming runs, so much easier to remember.”
Crowded?
The infrastructure is second to none, and even during peak periods lift lines remain minimal. “You can’t compare this resort to anything in the world, we’re talking a completely different level of business maturity, different resorts at different stages,” Ben explains. He adds, “Beidahu’s gondolas are luxurious, there are boxes of tissues inside them that are immediately replaced when they run out, bins are promptly emptied, and there’s no shoving or line cutting. The experience from start to finish was premium and very impressive.”
Ben’s wife, Erin, concurs: “We were amazed at how advanced the chairlifts and gondolas are, as well as the expanse of runs, how wide they are, and the variety of skill levels catered for.” And night skiing? “The most expansive we’ve seen.” This from an Australian family who have skied in Canada, USA, Europe, Japan and beyond, giving them a strong benchmark.
Off the mountain?
Enjoy spa facilities and onsen-style experiences after skiing, “this was a huge hit and we went there every day (including a kids section)”. Evenings lean local, with a focus on Chinese dining. Think hot pot and regional specialities and a food court that is popular with locals “the Chinese food is insane and very affordable” and Erin noted “fresh, large portions”. Venues like Commune Bar & Restaurant offer a more familiar, casual setting within the resort “my son LOVED the spagbol”. Beidahu Resort’s central building (rentals, lift tickets downstairs, has a bakery and plenty of western food options. “On the top level there’s a brewery, you can sit and look up the mountain and watch the sun go down, it’s very pretty”.
Any culture shocks?
Erin noted a few ski resorts differences, people basing themselves in the food court, leaving belongings there or in public spaces (they may be stolen at non-China resorts), people expressing themselves with interesting outfits on the hill was different, I even saw a lady skiing with a cat in a carrier backpack!
Starting the journey in Beijing?
It is highly recommended to take a few extra days to enjoy a few of China’s most historical and cultural sites before heading to the mountains to help understand the experience in a broader context. Walk a portion of the Great Wall, one of the most recognisable symbols of China and visible from space, built over 2000 years ago. Explore the Forbidden City, home to the Imperial Palace for nearly 500 years, built around 1406. Both are recognised by the UNESCO World Heritage Site and unmissable on a Beijing visit.
Ben’s verdict? “One of the most surprising parts of the trip was how sophisticated everything felt, the culture exceeded our expectations, we felt safe the whole time. It was a real eye-opener how advanced and clearly still growing the resort and the country was”.
Photo credits: Beidahu Ski Resort
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