Beijing Family Winter Trip: Skiing and Hot Springs, All at This Yanqing Resort

What's the greatest joy of winter? Warm hot springs and exhilarating skiing are tied for No.1. Hearing that Club Med Joyview in Yanqing lets you soak and ski without missing a beat, our two families immediately booked the brand-new “Winter Ski” all-inclusive package. Memories of last summer’s stay are still vivid; Summer and Mango had so much fun they forgot all about home. For a refresher, click here 👉

This three-day, two-night experience brought even more surprises than the summer trip. Most excitingly, the two little ones finally turned four, making them eligible for Club Med’s famous full-day childcare. In fandom terms, we went from casual fans to ultimate die-hard devotees!

**Rooms: Attention to Detail and Disinfection Done Right**

As Beijing’s top family resort, Club Med Joyview is always in high demand. Last time we booked last-minute and could only get a Superior Twin. This time we planned ahead and snagged a Superior King. Cream and wood tones create a cozy feel, and winter light filtering through white curtains casts soft shadows – pure warmth and happiness. You’ll spot lots of disinfection details that put your mind at ease. One soft, comfy big bed and a few fluffy pillows were all it took to send the kids into a giggling frenzy. Childhood joy is so simple!

**Grounds: Fairy-Tale Snowscape**

Our second visit to Club Med Yanqing felt like coming home – so familiar and welcoming. In the bright, airy lobby, the two little ones made a beeline for the toy corner where “Frozen” played on the TV. And they remembered the free-flow drinks from last time, already ordering for themselves at the lobby bar!

The glass corridor linking the main building to the Indoor Fun Field remains the best photo spot – now Summer and Mango’s personal runway. But the biggest surprise was the outdoor snowscape, straight out of a fairy tale. Flawless clumps of white nestle on emerald pines, every tree ready to be Christmas-perfect with just a few decorations. Beijing rarely gets big snowfalls, and such pristine scenes are even rarer. Moms can take endless photos while the kiddos revel in the snow.

**Soaking: A Giant Hot Spring Water Park**

Last time, the biggest regret was missing the indoor hot spring water park. The kids pressed their faces against the glass, eyes glued to the pool, and never forgot. The moment we heard it was open, we dashed there on the first evening.

This is Club Med’s first indoor hot spring water park in China, fed by natural 150m-deep springs from Songshan Mountain – the ultimate winter comfort. The massive area is divided into different zones and pools, so everyone from toddlers to grandparents finds their happy place. Tropical coconut trees, candy-colored loungers, and daybeds almost fool you into thinking you’re on a South French coast. Strike a pose before you soak!

Of course, the kids’ favorite was the splash zone. In shallow water with various spray features, a giant red spider stands out. For four-year-olds Summer and Mango, the water reached just their calves, and the arm bands the hotel provided made it super safe. Moms can enjoy the hot spring while watching the kids have a blast.

The adult indoor hot spring is a bit warmer than the kids’ pool. After a good soak, all tension and fatigue melt away, and your skin feels silky smooth. Afterwards, you can steam in the dry sauna – a seamless, pampering experience. And it’s all free for all-inclusive guests, so soak to your heart’s content!

**Skiing: Pro Instructors at the Ready**

If soaking is winter’s cure, skiing is winter’s thrill. (You can upgrade the regular all-inclusive to the Winter Ski package for just an extra 300 RMB.)

The ski package includes lessons for ages 6 and up, so we’d already sent the two little ones to kids’ club. Helmets, boots, and skis are provided; you’ll need your own goggles, ski suit, and gloves, or you can rent them on site (at your own cost). I’d purposely prepared a stylish set of gear – so much better looking than rental suits!

Gear on, it’s time for class. Club Med’s ski partner is ESF, the world’s largest professional ski school in France. The instructors are super nice and gave each of us personalized coaching. You choose between snowboard and skis. As a newbie, my research told me snowboarding is hard to pick up but later there’s no “right” way – only cool and cooler. Skis, on the other hand, are easier at the start but demand precise technique to improve. As total beginners we all chose skis, but borrowing a friend’s snowboard for a photo op was fine 😉

From our real experience, skiing as a beginner is indeed a quick learn. Once you’ve got the basics, you’re ready for the real slopes. Shijinglong Ski Resort has 10 runs: one advanced, four intermediate, four beginner, and one specially designed for skiers with disabilities. Naturally, we stuck to the beginner slope, focusing first on how to stop. With the instructor backing us up, I felt confident in no time! After two hours of lessons, you get two more hours to practice freely. Riding down the white expanse against a backdrop of majestic mountains, the speed and adrenaline on that snow-covered slope are simply intoxicating.

△ I should definitely try snowboarding next time – just look at our friend Xiao Qiao, so cool and elegant!

🎿🎿 **Ski Package Tips**

Shijinglong Ski Resort is about a 20-minute drive from the hotel; a shuttle bus is provided or you can drive yourself.

🎿 Skiers must register at reception the day before: name, room number, ski or snowboard choice, and pick up your ski passes.

🎿 Schedule: 8:30 head to the resort / 9:30–11:30 ski lessons / 11:30–13:30 free practice.

🎿 Usually you’ll check out before skiing. A thoughtful touch: you can leave luggage at the concierge, your wristband is swapped for a disposable one, and when you return in the afternoon, you can still grab lunch and enjoy the hot spring pool ♨️, playing on until 17:00.

**Kids’ Club: Happy Kids, Relaxed Parents**

This time at Club Med, we grown-ups were even more excited than the kids, because the two little ones had finally turned four – old enough for Club Med’s famous full-day childcare. An all-inclusive package includes supervised fun from 8:45 am to 5:00 pm, complete with kids’ lunch and a fun afternoon tea. Professional G.Os eat and play with them – worry-free, hands-off ✌️

Handing the kids over to the G.O. sisters, there was maybe like one second of reluctance. Then once we signed the forms, it felt like liberation! Trained, experienced G.Os lead the children in learning through play. In the music room, kids enjoy mini karaoke. In the Mini Land, G.Os guide them in board games, card games, and playful romps on the rides. In the artsy craft room, children can try all kinds of DIY: mask painting, dragon making, cardboard tube dolls, bead necklaces, and even baking cookies – the joy of hands-on creation. Over three days and two nights, the kids brought back loads of trophies: cool superhero masks, colorful dragons, yummy cookies… Summer even held up a necklace and said, “This is for you, Mommy – I strung it myself.” Cue the heart-melting, teary-eyed moment!

For two rambunctious boys, what they loved most was the sports. Ball games? Goes without saying – a total outlet that could keep them going for days. And the star challenge: the flying trapeze, which many adults are too scared to attempt. Summer and Mango both pulled it off!

**Indoor Fun Field: Best Winter Sports Playground**

With the kids in childcare, the adults are finally free to cut loose. Inside the Indoor Fun Field, besides basic ball games – basketball, football, table tennis, badminton – there’s a rich selection of VR games, golf simulators, ski simulators, indoor rock climbing, and soft archery. Dance lovers even have professional classes to join. All are included in the all-inclusive; for popular ones, remember to book early.

If you’ve opted for the ski package, definitely give the ski simulator a go – it’s a real test of balance and stamina. Having tried soft archery here last summer, this time it was a breeze. And how cool is playing “billiards” with your feet as the cue? Looks simple, but it’s actually quite challenging!

**Evening Show: Bar and Stage, Everyone Shines**

Club Med’s Saturday main show left a deep impression. The children rehearse just once or twice in the afternoon, then perform on stage that very evening. The first time I was a bit nervous, worried about offbeat moves or mishaps. But every single time, it’s been a delightful surprise. After the performance, the party kicks into high gear, especially with those rainbow-hued domino cocktails pushing the vibe to the max. Night deepens, but the Club Med joy carries on.

**Eating & Drinking: Feast and Free-Flow**

An all-inclusive package means unlimited free-flow drinks – essential for staying hydrated in the dry winter. At the Fun Field bar, it’s so convenient to grab a glass after sports. Especially at dusk, when golden sunset light spills onto the bar, you’re wrapped in happiness. In the lobby bar, the two kids have a better sense of drink timing than we do – they really lived it up!

Club Med has a kind of magic: even though all three meals are in the same buffet restaurant, each one feels different. Good food, a little wine, a buzzing atmosphere – all-inclusive and no extra cost, it’s just so liberating.

After my fourth Club Med experience, the biggest takeaway is this: I really want to take a G.O. home! Every single one is so wonderful with kids and has hidden talents. If Club Med ever launches a lifetime membership, we’ll be first in line.

Just like I said in our vlog, here, every second, every minute, smiles are on everyone’s faces. If we could live every day at Club Med Joyview Yanqing, then we’d wish for Beijing’s winter to be just a little longer – and longer still.

-The End-