With the fall of the first snow in the capital earlier this month, Beijing's ski resorts threw open their doors for those looking to hit the slopes. Currently, the capital is home to 10 ski resorts, most of which are scattered throughout the topographically tumultuous outskirts. And now, there are enough establishments that they are trying to differentiate themselves in order to grab their own niche of the skiing market.

 

Opened in 1999, Yanqing's Shijinglong Skiing Resort was one of the first to open in Beijing. Today, it's main claim to fame comes from the fact that it has the only skiing field that faces south, allowing patrons to bask in what sun shines through the winter skies and shielding them from the bitter winter winds as they whiz downhill.

 

Beijing's largest skiing spot is Miyun County's Nanshan Skiing Field, which provides a comprehensive array of facilities. Here, in addition to skiing and snowboarding, patrons can also go water or grass sledding or even aero-gliding.

 

Wanlong Skiing resort in Zhangjiakou, of Hebei, is known for having premium quality snow and is today a training area for pros. However, it's 249 km from the capital, and it's very, very cold.

 

Closer to home, Qiaobo Skiing Centre in Shunyi offers the first indoors skiing in the city.

 

A major challenge to the capital's skiing industry is that Beijing doesn't have any naturally snow-capped mountains. This means skiing spots must make their own snow every night, starting from the period when the temperature drops to less than zero in November. And this has led to concerns about the amount of water wasted by these resorts.

 

However, many look to Beijing Badaling Skiing Resort as an establishment that has found solutions.

 

"There are underground as well upper-ground drainage systems in the skiing fields, so melted snow or rain water can flow to our reservoir," explains the resort's deputy general manager Wang Jingkun. "We also have a waste water recycling system, which can process waste water we buy from Badaling Township. The reclaimed water can then be used to make snow or to water plants."

 

Unlike many other skiing spots, the Badaling resort has become a year-round outdoors theme park.

 

Last year, as Shijingshan's Laoshan Mountain Bike Track was renovated for Olympic testing events, Badaling finished a mountain bike trail more than 7 kilometers long. It has also built facilities for rock climbing and downhill mountain biking, in addition to several baseball and softball fields. And in the warmer months, these ski slopes are transformed into driving ranges for golfers.

 

Wang says that last year, the resort turned a profit outside of the skiing season, and he is certain the staff would stay on until next year - a solution to the problem of high staff turnover rates the come from the fact that most resorts are closed for about nine months out of the year.

 

The skiing slopes vary in difficulty level from gentle beginner's hills to the most extreme incline of 27 degrees. All are equipped with ski lifts to save patrons from having to trek uphill.

 

Some of Badaling's resort's coaches are retired national-level skiing athletes. And if you don't have your own gear, you can rent here.

 

The establishment also offers a four-star, European-style hotel, with heated floors. Most rooms also offer excellent views of the snowfields.

 

There are Chinese and Western restaurants, as well as a bar with an international drink list.

 

Yanqing District

Badaling Skiing Resort 

This place has a 2,300-meter-long trail for motorcycles in addition to five other trails. There are also facilities for sleighing, bungee jumping and ice lake trekking. How to get there: Badaling Expressway, Badaling Great Wall exit, drive 2 kilometers west of the Wall. 8am-5:30pm. 6912-9966, 6501-0330.  

Shijinglong Skiing Resort 

Six lanes are 80 meters at the widest and 1,000 meters at the longest. Its skiing field faces south, enabling the skiers to bath in sunlight and avoid harsh winds. Facilities include a restaurant, a hot spring bath and a snow sauna.

 

How to get there: It is 80 kilometers from the city. Madianqiao-Badaling Speedway -9th exit to Yanqing-Longqingxia . 8:30am-5:30pm. 6919-1617, 6919-9043

 

Miyun County

Nanshan Skiing

 

There are 11 slopes, not including waves slopes, and Mogul and motorcycle trails for children. You can stay in European-styled villas with fireplaces. To get there: Nanshan sits south of Miyun County, 62 kilometers from Wanghe Bridge . Take Jingcheng Expressway -5th exit to Shunmi Lu and turn right. 8:30am-5:30pm. 8909-1909

 

Yunfoshan Moutain Skiing

 

Eight lanes range from beginner to professional levels. There's one snow motorcycle track and one 1.5-kilometer-long trekking trail, in addition to a U-turn trail for single board skiing. How to get there: Jingcheng Expressway-Miyun County exit-Xiwongzhuangzhen . 6901-6896, 8903-2601

 

Huairou District

Huaibei Skiing Field

 

In addition to skiing areas, there are facilities for ice climbing and archery. The ski resort adjoins Mutianyu Great Wall. How to get there: Jingcheng Expressway -Huairou District-Yanqi Lake- kilometers north to get to 548 Hefangkou Village, Huaibei.Huaibei. 8:30am-5:30pm. 8969-6677

 

Fangshan District

Yunju Skiing Resort

 

Seated in a valley of the Taihang Mountains, this ski resort is shielded from the wind. It has a good coverage of virgin forest, and one can have a look at the nearby Yunju Temple. How to get there: Jingshi Expressway-Fangshan exit -Zhangfangzhen, Fangshan District . 6133-8098, 6133-8589

 

Changping District

Jundushan Mountain Skiing 

You can rent a Mongolian yurt here to experience the nomadic lifestyle. Illumination systems make night skiing fun. How to get there: Badaling Expresway -hot spring vacation areas of Xiaotangshan, Changping District，30 kilometers from Beijing. 8am-6pm, 5pm-10pm. 6072-5888

 

Snow World Skiing Field 

Located near The Ming Tombs in Changping District, it is surrounded by mountains on all sides. There are two 500-meter-long lanes for intermediate and advance skiers, and three 380-meter-long lanes for beginners. 8:30am-5pm. How to get there: 13C exit of Badaling Expressway-Xiguan Traffic Isle-head north for 5 kilometers, turn left at Tailingyuan Crossroad, drive another 800 meters. 8976-1886

 

Shunyi District

Lianhuashan Moutain Skiing 

Located in Zhangzhen, Shunyi District, the resort is only 30 kilometers from Beijing Capital International Airport. There are seven skiing lanes, in addition to fields for motorcycles and snow football. How to get there: Airport Expressway-Shunyi-Zhangzhen .8am-5pm, 6-10pm. 8239-7840, 6148-8777

 

Qiaobo Indoor Skiing Centre 

Named after Ye Qiaobo, the 1991 short-track speed skating world champion. The center is open for skiers year-round. The beginners' trail is 200 meters long, and the intermediate and advanced trails are 300 meters long. There are areas for single boards, snow loops and places for just playing in the snow. Restaurant, bar and massage are available. How to get there: Jingshun Lu/Airport Expressway-Shunyi-Chaobaihe National Forest Park .9:30am-10pm during weekdays.10am-10pm on weekends. 6941-1991, 6941-8822

 

Pinggu District

Yuyang Skiing Field 

This place is 60 kilometers from Beijing. It has four beginner's lanes and four intermediate lanes, in addition to a huge restaurant and facilities for snow motorcycling and riding in horse-drawn sleighs. Turkish baths and acupressure massages are available. A 1,600-meter-long advanced trail is newly built and open to skiers this year. How to get there: Jingshun Lu-Huairou-Pinggu . 9am-5pm. 5869-3355 ext 801-806

 

Downtown Beijing:

Yabuluoni Skiing Center at Chaoyang ParkThere are three trails for children, adult beginners and intermediate-level skiers. Night skiing is available until 10 pm. The whole area takes up 20,000 square meters. How to get there: Enter from north gate of Chaoyang Park, southwest corner of Dongfeng Beiqiao, northern East Fourth Ring Road .8am-6pm. 6538-3899, 6507-6591