Tiger Ridge Terrain Park
With the increasing excitement around the 2022 Beijing Olympics, there has been a steady demand for facilities available for public access across China. China has obliged and ski resorts and indoor facilities have been opening nationwide, with the South China Morning Post reporting that at present China has 700 ski resorts. One such project is Tiger Ridge Terrain Park, found in the North East of China close to the border with North Korea. Tiger Ridge is a purpose-built facility aimed at freestyle skiing and snowboarding during the winter months and Mountain Bike and Skating in the summer.
TIGER RIDGE TERRAIN PARK FIRST IMPRESSIONS
I didn’t know what to expect when arriving at Tiger Ridge. There was not a lot of information online regarding the ski resort or accommodation but a Youtube video had piqued my interest and I decided I had to go. All inquiries and my booking had taken place via WeChat, a Chinese social media app, where I had found that Tiger Ridge had a very personal customer service. This was the case on my arrival, where despite a very delayed flight and arriving extremely late, I was met by Fred who showed me to my accommodation. The accommodation was an on snow chalet big enough to host around 10 people comfortably and there were no other guests for the week. I was keen to get as much sleep as possible after a long journey especially as my flight delay had been caused by a snowstorm. Tomorrow was going to be an April powder day!
Rising early I got my first look at Tiger Ridge with a blanket of fresh snow. The base facilities are modern with a reception area, ski rental department, cafe, and more accommodations. I collected my lift pass and headed up the first chairlift. The chair from the base takes you up to the resorts main intersection. From here you have the option to ski back down to the base along with a fairly steep pitch or down the backside. The backside of Tiger Ridge Terrain Park is where the fun is found, three alleys (pistes) all with a varying range of freestyle features. This was going to be fun.
TIGER RIDGE TERRAIN PARK SKI AREA
Tiger Ridge Terrain Park is a small ski resort with only four trails or pistes. These runs are accessed via two chairlifts which run on either the front side or backside of the resort. The resort itself only has a vertical drop of 220m with its base area at 950m but given the nature of the resort, this is not an issue.
The resort calls its trails ‘The Alleys’ with each alley offering something a little different and being suited for an ability level. Despite only having four trails I was never bored at Tiger Ridge during my visit and this is thanks to the Park Crew who crafted some great facilities and there was a clear progression.
Frontside
The frontside of the ski resort is where you will find one steep pitch and a mini-park. The steep run that leads back to the base was a really nice groomed run that led down to a large jump complete with an airbag. The jump and the airbag were not open to everyone but that was probably a good thing in my case as I may have pushed my boundaries too far. However, it was great to see future Olympic hopefuls practicing their tricks on the airbag and it goes some way to demonstrating the quality of the facilities at this ski resort.
Backside
The backside of Tiger Ridge Terrain Park has three alleys, Small, Medium and Large. On these Alleys, you will find a progression of features and all of the Alleys lead down to the same chairlift. For a full ride through off the resort check out the video below.
LIFTS AT TIGER RIDGE
Tiger Ridge Terrain Park has two chairlifts and a magic carpet but there is a more interesting way to access the slopes, skidoo. At Tiger Ridge it is possible to hire your own sled driver and sled so that you can quickly lap the resort without needing to rely on the slow chairs.
TIGER RIDGE SNOW RECORD
Tiger Ridge is not blessed with mass amounts of snowfall. The benefit of skiing and snowboarding in the Changbaishan region is the cold temps tend to keep the snow in good condition for longer. Tiger Ridge also does a good job of snowmaking with snow stored for lean periods.
SEASON DATES
The Ski Season at Tiger Ridge runs between December - April. The majority of the snow at Tiger Ridge is man-made although there is natural snowfall. I was fortunate to have fresh snow during the first week of April but if you want to be certain of conditions I wouldn’t leave it this late in the season.
TIGER RIDGE VIDEOS
TRAVEL TO TIGER RIDGE TERRAIN PARK
WHERE IS TIGER RIDGE?
Tiger Ridge ski resort is found in the North East of China near the Changbai Mountain and the border with North Korea. The resort itself is situated in-between Erdaobaihe and the Changbai Mountain.
HOW TO GET TO TIGER RIDGE
INTERNATIONAL
If accessing Tiger Ridge Terrain Park from outside of China you will first want to enter via one of the large international airports. It is possible to get a connecting flight via Beijing or Shanghai which are probably the most suitable entry points.
DOMESTIC
Once on the mainland, you will need to take a connecting flight to Changbaishan Airport. Internal flights are reasonable in China and from Shanghai, the journey was only a couple of hours. From the airport, in Changbaishan you will need to head towards the town of Erdaobaihe where it is possible to stay if you are not staying directly at the resort. Prior to your flight contact the team at Tiger Ridge via the website and they will be happy to arrange a taxi transfer to the resort for you. The journey from the airport is around two hours of weather dependant.
TIGER RIDGE ACCOMMODATION
At the resort you will find varying accommodation options, from large Chalet-style residences to double or single rooms in the base area. The standard of accommodation at Tiger Ridge was very good. If you do not want to stay in the resort, which can be quite quiet after hours, you can focus your accommodation search around the town of Erdaobaihe where you will find hotels and guesthouses. The town of Erdaobaihe has a bit more going on with restaurants and shops to keep you occupied in the evening.
Consider using the link below to look for your Tiger Ridge Accommodation.
TIGER RIDGE PROS
Purpose-built facility with great freestyle terrain with a focus on progression.
Mostly quiet ski resort and if you discount the athletes there were barely any tourists skiing here.
Ideally located to add on a day trip to Heaven Lake which is absolutely stunning and marks the border of China and North Korea.
On snow accommodation possible meaning you can head straight to the lift from your front door.
TIGER RIDGE CONS
The resort pretty much shuts down after the lifts close meaning there is not a lot to do in the evenings.
Lifts can run slow which can cause queues at the bottom of the Small, Medium, and Large Alleys.
Mostly man-made snow means conditions need to be right to ensure good snow coverage.
TIGER RIDGE GALLERY
TIGER RIDGE TERRAIN PARK FINAL THOUGHTS
I really enjoyed my visit to Tiger Ridge but I visited with one aim in mind, improving my freestyle snowboarding. I wanted to visit a resort where I wouldn’t be tempted to ride any other terrain so I could focus on progression and for this purpose, Tiger Ridge exceeded my expectations. During my week here my freestyle riding progressed and my confidence grew which is a reflection of the facilities on offer and why China are using this resort as one of their training bases for their winter sports athletes.
13 Reasons To Ski In China
You’ve worked hard for your holiday and sometimes taking a risk with that time isn’t that appealing. Taking a trip to China to ski or snowboard could be seen as a risk as China does not have the same reputation in the ski world as other countries. However, what you may not know is there there is a ski scene in China and its popularity is growing.
PLENTY OF CHOICES
China is huge! With this in mind, it offers a diverse range of ski and snowboard opportunities. China has been going through a boom in regard to interest in skiing and snowboarding, and this has seen the development of new ski resorts across the country. There are over 700 ski resorts in China to choose from and this means you can definitely find one to suit your needs. From small resorts with a local feel to large international companies like Club Med Yabuli, China has everything.
CHINESE CULTURE
China has a culture that is diverse and completely different to anything I had experienced previously. A ski trip to China allows you to get those laps in during the day but also experience a wonderful culture at night. Whether it is eating local food delicacies or taking part in a Chinese calligraphy class, there will be ways for you to immerse yourself in history and local life.
SAFETY IN CHINA
Despite what the mainstream media may have you believe, China is an incredibly safe place to visit. Whether you like it or not China and its monitoring of its citizens and visitors actually make it a very safe place. You will need to use your passport to book your travel on public transport, such as the national rail network, in the same way, local citizens need to show their ID cards. You will notice a police presence but not in an overbearing way. But the most important reason you should feel safe in China is the people. Ultimately, Chinese nationals want you to have a great experience in their country.
THE LOCALS
The local people are incredibly welcoming and proud to host you in their country. During my time in China I found the Chinese to be incredibly helpful and the ski resorts were no exception. During my days on snow in China, I met many locals who were interested to know why I had chosen to visit China to snowboard. They were proud to tell me about their country and the best spots I should check out on future trips.
SKI FACILITIES IN CHINA
Being a constantly evolving country China has some of the best infrastructures in the world. Whether we are talking about the skyscrapers that seem to touch the clouds or the bullet trains that decrease journey times significantly, China is ahead of the curve. Not only does some of this infrastructure make your journey to the ski resort less troublesome but it is now being applied within the ski resorts to improve the guest experience. With the development of modern resorts, China has been investing money to ensure they are improving the quality of their facilities. Shijinglong Ski Resort near Beijing has invested in a nearby reservoir to ensure its snowmaking capabilities are increased, whereas Tiger Ridge near Changbaishan has recruited foreign experts in terrain park design to ensure features that are primed!
CHINESE LANDMARKS
Have you ever dreamt about standing on the Great Wall of China or visiting the forbidden city? Well, it is possible to do these things when combined with a Chinese ski trip. Consider heading to Beijing where you will find; Huaibei, Shijinglong, Badaling, Nanshan, and many more ski areas. From any of these resorts it would be possible to tag on a trip to the landmarks of China’s capital.
THE BIRTHPLACE OF SKIING
So when you think of the history of skiing maybe China doesn’t spring straight to mind. Maybe your mind is clouded with thoughts of Austrians in lederhosen yodelling as they make their way down the mountain. Or the Swiss making their ascent of the Alps on the back of a St Bernard before skiing into a powder field.. Ok sorry for the stereotyping but I guess China didn’t come into your mind. Well, some historians can date skiing in China back to the year 206BC. Skiers in the Altai region would fashion skis out of long pieces of wood, attach horsehair to the bottom and push themselves across the range with a long pole.
WORLD LARGEST INDOOR SKI SLOPES
Ok so you are visiting in summer and you don’t think you can ski, wrong! China is home to a number of purpose-built indoor skiing facilities across the country. From Beijing to Shaoxing you can find somewhere to strap into a snowboard at any time of year. If you are planning to ski indoors it might as well be at the world’s largest indoor ski resort. You will find the largest indoor ski resort in Harbin, home to the famous ice festival, and it is huge! Harbin Resort offers an indoor black slope, a terrain park and an ice castle!
CHINESE SKIING IS AFFORDABLE
Skiing and snowboarding in China does not need to be expensive. In fact, it can be an absolute steal. In China, you are a long way away from the overpriced lift tickets of Vail resorts or the €8 for a small plate of pomme frites in France. Eating lunch on the mountain can often be cheaper than bringing your own with noodle bars available alongside western alternatives. Most impressive though was the cost of accommodation. I stayed in a Chalet adjacent to the slopes at Tiger Ridge and it cost around £80 per night including a lift ticket. Similarly, you can pick up a week’s all-inclusive holiday at Club Med Yabuli for half the price of a stay at their European resorts.
HELI_SKIING IN CHINA
Our second stop to the Altai region on this list is for heli-skiing. As far as I am aware the Altai mountains are the one region in China where you can heli-ski commercially. The same operator also offers cat-skiing and snowmobile operations to help you access some of the best-untouched powder runs in the region. The benefits of heli-skiing in China are much the same as anywhere else in the world, except it tends to be a bit more budget-friendly.
CHINESE FOOD
Chinese food is amongst the most popular cuisines in the UK but this does not really tell you the story. Most people who eat local food in China will tell you it is not the same as you would experience at Chinese restaurants in the west, but this is not a bad thing. On the mainland you will be able to find a range of traditional dishes not experienced elsewhere, and depending on which region you are in you should research their local specialities. In addition to the Chinese traditional dishes, you will find a range of foods and restaurants influenced by other Asian countries and cultures.
BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS
The biggest event in winter sports is coming to China and Beijing 2022 is set to be massive. Beijing will host a number of ski and snowboard events across its local ski resorts and this should go some way to demonstrate the quality of facilities. If skiing and snowboarding in China is good enough for Olympians then it is good enough for me.
STEP OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE
Not to generalize but for most people a trip to China will be a step outside of your comfort bubble, it was for me anyway. This would apply when visiting the most accessible places like Shanghai with its English signage and easy to use metro system. Even more of a step outside your comfort zone would be a trip into the mountains, where locally your language is not spoken, there 100% will be no English signs and some of the apps that you could use elsewhere to ease the burden may not work. I actually found on my visit to Tiger Ridge Terrain Park that this was exactly my situation. But this made the experience even more fulfilling, from finding ways to communicate with locals to sharing a passion for snowboarding with local youth, China gives you the opportunity to grow as a person.
There you have it, 13 reasons why you should ski or snowboard at a Chinese ski resort this coming winter. But now I want to hear from you. Is China on your hit list? Would you consider it as a ski destination? If not, why? Let me know below in the comments.
China Snowboard Guide
Winter sports are going through a major boom period in China. Host of the 2022 Winter Olympics, skiing and snowboarding is well within the national focus. China is developing new and redeveloping old ski resorts to improve the facilities on offer to over 1 million national skiers as well as international tourists. With companies like Club Med getting in on the act you can be sure to find a great experience.
Slopeside Chalet’s at Tiger Ridge Terrain Park
China has a rapidly growing ski industry with resorts opening on a regular basis. You will find a cluster of resorts close to the capital Beijing, making it possible to add on a trip to the Great Wall and the Forbidden Palace. However, be aware that the resorts near the capital rely heavily on snowmaking facilities. The North of China is generally blanketed in snow throughout the winter with some great conditions found in the North-East towards Harbin.
China wants to market itself as a top ski destination and is achieving this through investment in quality facilities. Club Med has opened a resort at Yabuli Ski Resort to bring a sense of luxury to your Chinese ski holiday. China is also importing expertise to help them deliver a great product with the majority of management at Tiger Ridge Terrain Park being international.
Tiger Ridge Terrain park is a great example of what China achieves with its ski resorts. Not blessed with the large European style mountains and extreme terrain the management of Chinese ski resorts are investing in terrain parks to keep people interested. Tiger Ridge would be little more than a small resort offering three blue and one red graded run but instead, it is a freestyle paradise with four park lines of differing abilities.
Don’t expect expansive terrain on your ski trip to China with the largest resorts having around 40km of slopes mostly suited to beginner or intermediate skiers. What you will find is off-slope activities like tobogganing, snowmobile tours and snowshoe excursions.
The popularity of skiing and snowboarding has been supplemented with the construction of indoor snowdomes allowing those in the city to get their snow fix. Harbin is home to the worlds largest indoor snow dome, although plans are in place for an even bigger facility to be opened in Shanghai.
There are well over 100 ski resorts in China which offers you plenty of choice. The most popular Chinese ski resorts include; Xiling Ski Resort, Yabuli Ski Resort, Wanlong Ski Resort, Beijing Nanshan Ski Resort, Beijing Huaibei Ski Resort and Alshan Ski Resort.
WHERE TO SKI OR SNOWBOARD IN CHINA
When it comes to where to ski and snowboard in China there is plenty of choice with over 100 ski resorts. Ski resorts in China are generally located in four locations; Beijing, Chengdu, Harbin or remote Northern areas.
BEIJING
Beijing will host the 2022 winter Olympics and has a number of facilities within a 1-4 hours drive of the city. Wanlong and Nanshan are the most popular resorts to visit close to the Chinese capital. Beijing Nanshan Ski Resort is the largest of the resorts closest to Beijing however if you want to ski in the shadow of the Great Wall of China consider Beijing Huaibei Ski Resort. Nanshan ski resort is perhaps best known for its terrain park which is one of the best in China.
CHONGLI
Chongli is around 250km North of the capital and will host the majority of the snowsports events at Beijing 2022. Chongli is home to seven linked resorts that offer some of the best facilities for snowboarding in China.
Thaiwoo ski resort has a purpose-built alpine village and is considered to be the most complete Chinese ski resort. With over 200 planned pistes and freestyle facilities that will host Olympic Slopestyle events, Thaiwoo is certainly one to watch.
Wanlong Ski Resort is one for the experts with very few beginner focussed ski runs. Another Beijing Winter Olympic Games venue, Wanlong is renowned for its snow quality.
Genting Ski Resort is another expanding ski resort near Beijing. There are 88 planned ski pistes that will cover 70km at Genting Ski Resort. Genting will be a good choice for advanced and intermediate skiers with very few dedicated beginner pistes. As with most Chinese ski resorts, Genting has a good terrain park set up with dedicated freestyle areas popular in China.
HARBIN
Harbin is world-famous for its Ice and Snow Festival, with an impressive display of sculptures in December and January. If the Ice and Snow Festival attracts you to Harbin then you may want to check out some of the ski resorts whilst you are in the area.
Wanda Ski Dome in Harbin is one of the worlds largest indoor ski resorts. The 80,000 square metres indoor ski centre offers multiple slopes, an indoor chairlift and plenty of off-slope activities. Opportunity to ski in China during the summertime? Yes, please.
Yabuli could be the Chinese ski destination for you if you like a little luxury. Home to Club Med, Yabuli resort at Heilongjang’s Sun Mountain, is a destination holiday offering ski in ski out ease. Sun Mountain has 35km of pistes for mixed abilities and 11 lifts. You will need to take a 2+ hour transfer from Harbin to reach Yabuli but your effort will be rewarded with a stay at an incredibly popular Chinese ski resort.
JILIN
Jilin Province is home to Beidahu ski area which has 11 pistes and 850m of vertical drop. The terrain at Beidahu is aimed at intermediate to advanced skiers, so is not recommended for learning to ski or snowboard.
Also in Jilin Province, you will find Changbaishan International Ski Centre and Tiger Ridge Terrain Park. Changbaishan International ski centre is one of the largest ski areas in China with 43 pistes for mixed abilities. Changbaishan is easy to reach as it has an International airport with connecting flights into major Chinese cities.
Also accessible from Changbaishan International airport is Tiger Ridge Terrain Park. Tiger Ridge Terrain Park is small but works with the terrain it has to offer some awesome freestyle terrain. Each of the runs at Tiger Ridge has its own line of freestyle features ranging from small ride-on boxes in the learner’s area to huge kickers. Tiger Ridge is a longer transfer from Changbaishan International Airport but is certainly worth the effort.
CHINA SNOWBOARD GALLERY
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN SNOWBOARDING IN CHINA
It is hard to categorise Chinese skiing as the country differs greatly depending on where you visit. Everything from the food, the climate and the accessibility will vary depending on where you choose to take your Chinese ski holiday.
In general, you can expect Chinese ski resorts to feel cold. Low temperatures and at times harsh winds can mean that with windchill you are going to wish you were huddled up by the fire. In Changbaishan, where the resorts are close to the border with North Korea, you can expect temperatures to be below -20 throughout the season. The climate in China lends itself perfectly to snowmaking which is important for topping up on the rare snowstorms.
You are not going to find large scale ski resorts that are similar in size to European or North American mountains. Chinese ski resorts, tend to offer small amounts of terrain with a low vertical drop.
SNOW CONDITIONS IN CHINA
China has a huge landmass and with ski resorts across the country, it is tough to be generic about the snow conditions at Chinese ski resorts. The colder temperatures and more frequent snowfall are in the North of the country. Alshan ski area is renowned for the quality of its powder snow. Realistically, unless you are very lucky, a visit to China is going to mean snowboarding on hardpack snow in cold conditions.
Most Chinese resorts rely heavily on snowmaking to supplement their natural snowfall throughout the season.
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CHINESE SKI SEASON DATES
The ski season in China runs parallel to Europes season with the best conditions found between December and April. China can have bitterly cold temperatures during winter which are ideal for snow-making to supplement the natural snowfall.
APRÈS SKI CHINA
China is certainly more conservative on the Après ski front than we are used to in Europe. If you are expecting bars and dancing the night away you will probably be disappointed.
CHINA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DOES CHINA HAVE SKI RESORTS?
China has over 700 ski resorts but the reality is that many of these lack facilities to make it a ski holiday destination. There are a number of quality ski resorts with exceptional facilities though that would make for a great Chinese ski holiday.
HOW MANY SKIERS ARE IN CHINA?
Skiing and snowboarding in China is growing rapidly especially since the announcement that Beijing would host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. Apprarently there were 13.2 million skiers in China during 2020 although the majority of these would be classed as beginners.
Get In Touch
As always thanks for reading this post and I’d love to hear from you! Would you head to China to ski or snowboard? Have you already been? Do you have any questions that remain unanswered after reading this post. Get in touch in the comment section and I’ll try to answer them.
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A Guide To Snowboarding In Asia
Asia’s ski scene is dominated by Japan due to the incredible amounts of snow that cover the country between December and March., but Japan isn’t your only option for an Asian ski or snowboard trip. China hosted the Beijing Olympics and as such invested heavily in infrastructure across the country. South Korea has ski resorts surrounding its capital city of Seoul and high in the Himalayas, resorts like Gulmarg offer a ski experience of a different kind. If you are looking for something different from your next ski adventure then Asia could just be for you.
Asian ski and snowboard experiences are no longer a secret attracting winter visitors from around the globe. The ease of access from Australasia has meant that Japan has become a favourite amongst Aussies and Kiwis looking for their snow fix. But further afield in Europe and the US, an Asian ski trip is attracting more people every year.
It’s simple, an Asian ski trip offers something different from the norm for international skiers and snowboarders. The chance to dive deep into a new culture, explore new foods and have an adventure remain key reasons for visiting Asian ski resorts. Asia is a continent that offers a lot of variety in its ski scene and this is also appealing. I have enjoyed taking day trips to Heaven Lake in China and to see the snow monkeys in Japan whilst on Asian ski trips.
Consider a trip to Japan if you want to visit the snowiest place in the world and lap fresh powder until your legs can take no more. Head to China if you are looking for well-maintained terrain parks or the worlds largest indoor dome in Harbin. Host to the 2022 Winter Olympics, infrastructure in China is improving rapidly. Alternatively, why not consider India and the opportunity to ski or snowboard amongst the Himalayan mountain range and access the worlds highest lift at 3797m.
The ski season in Asia runs between December and April with the best conditions found in late January to mid-February. During this time Japan traditionally receives large dumps of snow. Although some ski resorts in China and South Korea receive lower annual snowfalls, during December - April the conditions are cold enough to run the snow guns to ensure a full season
EXPLORE BY COUNTRY
China has recently exploded its ski and snowboard scene since hosting the Winter Olympics in Beijing. This event was a major catalyst for huge investment in Chinese ski resorts. Ski areas in Yabuli, Changbaishan and closer to the capital of Beijing growing in popularity.
China
Japan is a snowboarding mecca that used to be a secret but that secret is well and truly out. Japan is best known for epic snowfall that delivers some of the world’s best powder skiing conditions. Japan also delivers off the slopes with an incredible culture to throw yourself into.
Japan
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can You Snowboard In China?
Yes, with China set to host the Olympics it has invested heavily in it’s ski infrastructure. There are hundreds of resorts across the country however you will find the main ones close to Beijing or in the North East of the country near Harbin.
How Much Does It Cost To Snowboard In Japan?
It’s not cheap, let’s start there. Everything from; transport, accommodation and lift passes can add up in Japan. I ended up staying in a guest house, which was nice but it was shared with other guests. You can find a link to it here. In terms of lift pass prices, you will expect to pay between 3000-5000 Yen per day for a lift pass. You can buy weekly passes which save you some money and include inter-resort transport.
What is better Hakuba or Niseko?
From a personal perspective, I can not answer this having only snowboarded in Hakuba, not Niseko. I have however had friends who have worked, skied and lived in both and essentially this is their opinion… Niseko is more cruisey than Hakuba so if you are looking for steep runs then Hakuba is your answer. Niseko get’s more snow than most places on the earth… so if snow is your only criteria than Niseko probably pips Hakuba. Hakuba does still receive over 12m of snow per season!
What is the best month to go snowboarding in Japan?
Japan can have a relatively shorter season with the best conditions normally occurring between January and February.
Where is the best snowboarding in Asia?
Well, this one is going to be incredibly subjective. Asia is a continent with lots of diverse conditions that can make for some interesting ski areas. Japan has to be high on the list due to the abundance of snow and incredible tree skiing.
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