Where the rich go on winter vacation

To most Chinese, Switzerland probably represents luxury watches, banks and fine chocolate. For a small but growing number of mainland skiers, it is heaven.

Every December, Zhang Le, a 45-year-old businessman in Beijing, handles his business correspondence at great speed as he eagerly prepares to ski in the Alps.

"The Alps are a gift from the gods for ski enthusiasts," said Zhang, who booked hotel rooms one month ago and invited some of his business partners to Switzerland for the ski trip in January.