Snow business

3. Beijing Huaibei International Ski Resort

Just more than 70 km from downtown Beijing, this is a great destination for snowboarders and skiers to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Built in 2000, it is a large recreational spot that boasts excellent ski slopes, world-class facilities, picturesque natural scenery, as well as convenient accommodation and dining services.

A snowboarder flies high in Heilongjiang province. Qiu Qilong/ for China Daily

There are eight trails satisfying the needs of both beginners to experts and also provides a host of instructors. Travelers are also able to take a bird's eye view of the Great Wall by catching a cable car along 1,200 meters.

What's cool: Close to the Great Wall and Beijing's largest ski resort.

Skiing season: December to March.

Location: It's in the Jiugukou (Nine Valleys Pass) Natural Scenic Area, Huairou district.

Getting there: Travelers can either drive one hour from city downtown or take a 1.5-hour journey by taking bus No 936 (branch) at Dongzhimen subway station, which will directly take you there.

Target group: Suitable for skiers of all levels.

4. Shennongjia Ski Resort

With an average altitude of 1,700 meters, Shennongjia is an ancient and mysterious place in Hubei province, in an area dubbed "the roof of Central China". Opened in 2004, the ski resort is located in the hinterland of Shennongjia. It covers an area of 100,000 square meters and is only 0.5 km from the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve.

There are ski tracks for primary and intermediate skiers and more than 20 coaches for tourists. While experiencing the excitement of skiing, people can also admire Shennongjia's distinctive scenery of countless different odd mountain valleys, unknown beautiful flowers and plants.

What's cool: Largest winter sports complex for skiers from South and Central China.

Skiing season: Late December to February

Location: Shennongjia forest area, Hubei province.

Getting there: Travelers need to take a flight to Yichang or Xiangfan first, and then take a four-hour bus ride to Shennongjia.

Target group: Suitable for skiers of all levels.

5. Changbaishan (Changbai Mountain) Ski Resort

The ski resort is located 1,640 meters above sea level and occupies 120,000 sq m. It is an ideal place for skiing and ice-skating because of its well-constructed ski tracks, comprehensive winter sports training facilities and breathtaking environment.

Winter on Changbai Mountain features vast slopes of white snow and its snow quality is said to compare to that of the Alpine region of France and Italy.

Enthusiasts can also choose other activities including motor skiing, sleigh skiing, shooting and hunting.

Ski lessons are offered for beginners and the area's natural hot springs are another attraction of the resort.

What's cool: The resort is located in the heart of Changbei Mountain Nature Reserve's dense forest and has natural hot springs.

Skiing season: From mid November to early May.

Location: It is 500 kilometers east of Changchun, capital of Northeastern China's Jilin province.

Target group: Suitable for skiers of all levels.