Skiing in Tonglu Shengxianli: Jiangnan Kids Embrace the Joy of Outdoor Skiing

Tonglu Shengxianli Ski Season

Some say diving is a blue addiction, skiing a white addiction. I’m hooked again. As soon as winter sets in, skiers who’ve been lying low pour out of their dens and start plotting their snow escapes. With Beijing and Zhangjiakou winning the bid to host the Winter Olympics, I’ve noticed that even friends who normally never move a muscle in winter are giving skiing a go. Ever since a trip to Nagano, Japan last year, I’ve been addicted to skiing—especially snowboarding.

After returning from Japan, I kept thinking about improving my snowboard skills, but the pandemic earlier this year forced me to shelve those plans. One year later, winter is back. I looked for ski resorts near Shanghai, but all I found were indoor slopes. Finding an outdoor ski field in the notoriously snowless Yangtze River Delta region is tough. I really wanted an outdoor experience. Searching around, I stumbled upon Tonglu Shengxianli International Ski Resort near Hangzhou. Yes, it relies on artificial snow, but it’s that soft, fluffy powder. Decision made—time to ride.

Tonglu Shengxianli International Ski Resort sits in the Shengxianli Scenic Area in Hecun Township, Tonglu County, just over two hours’ drive from Hangzhou. It’s Hangzhou’s second ski resort and one of the rare outdoor slopes in southern China. Self-driving is the most convenient way to get there—just plug the destination into your GPS. Down at the foot of the mountain, dedicated shuttle buses whisk visitors up to the snowfield.

The transfer center’s bus can carry a good number of people at once, so even on busy weekends, you don’t have to worry too much about queues.

Up on the mountaintop, the weather was gorgeous. The building with “Feng Hua Xue Yue with Tong” (a playful phrase meaning “skiing with Tonglu”) painted on it? That’s the equipment hall.

Your ski day begins in this equipment hall, where rental and dining services await. Inside, every imaginable piece of gear is available. Shengxianli boasts 3,000 sets of brand-new, professional-grade skis—finally, no more scrambling for equipment! For skiing newbies from the south, certified instructors are on hand to teach you step by step, making sure even beginners enjoy a top-quality ski experience.

Skiing involves a lot of kit: goggles, helmet, jacket, skis or board, gloves, and more. Each category has its own clearly marked rental counter. With an all-in-one card, you can collect your gear quickly, and the service is warm and friendly.

All equipment meets international standards. The boots and skis are remarkably new. I’d seen similar scenes in Japan—neat rows of boots lined up—and never expected to find the same world-class standard here at Tonglu Shengxianli.

Most boots here are for skiing (two planks). Snowboard boots are a bit different and come together when you rent a board. You can tell the resort stocks a huge amount of gear, more than enough to satisfy everyone hitting the slopes at the same time.

Stepping into wintertime Shengxianli feels like entering a kingdom of snow. Although the trees aren’t yet cloaked in frosty blooms, it already feels uncannily like a ski resort abroad. Once you’ve got your gear, it’s time to head out onto the outdoor slopes. Up on the mountain, you’ll spot the Shengxianli sign. The resort covers a planned area of 1,000 mu (about 66.7 hectares), sitting at an altitude of 900 meters. There are two intermediate runs, one beginner run, and one surfing run, with a total ski area of 100,000 square meters. With 360-degree panoramic views and that vast expanse of snow, it’s huge by southern outdoor resort standards.

On weekends, Shengxianli draws big crowds. The magic carpet on the beginner slope was packed with skiers and snowboarders alike. Looks like loads of southerners are falling for skiing.

Of course, natural snowfall alone wouldn’t cut it. Shengxianli Ski Resort imported top-notch snowmaking equipment from overseas—40 imported snow machines and an original imported snow groomer—delivering premium snow conditions and creating a powder paradise that truly lives up to the name. It felt almost like being back in Japan. A 24-hour snowmaking factory keeps the slopes blanketed in pristine white at all times.

Personally, snow quality matters most to me. Inevitably, you’ll take spills. Solid, hard snow makes every fall painful, whereas powder feels like landing on soft cotton—a world of difference that affects your entire mood. The powder here is Hokkaido-style powder: tiny, soft, low in moisture, and dry like flour. It’s wonderfully fluffy underfoot and gives you a noticeably light sensation as you ride. Even if you fall, it doesn’t hurt much. Without leaving the country, you can enjoy a top-tier overseas ski experience.

Before you start, carefully strap into your gear. Since I’d snowboarded in Japan, I stuck with a board here too—boarding is a completely different kind of fun from skiing.

Gear fastened, time to go. Because the resort has several runs, if you want to avoid a human-traffic-jam feeling, you can head to the upper sections of the intermediate slope rather than the very peak. Starting from mid-mountain lets you control your speed better and feels especially comfortable. And thanks to the powder, you’ll feel wonderfully light while riding; even an unplanned fall won’t hurt.

If you’re worried about bruises, you can strap on a turtle or panda crash pad, which are rentable on-site. Snowboarding beginners like me who want to give the intermediate run a try should definitely consider wearing a little turtle—it’s a good idea.

Even if you’re a complete novice, don’t fret. The resort has plenty of professional instructors who can teach you to ski. It’s truly a paradise for beginners.

Most people opt for two-plank skiing because it’s easier to pick up. So if you want to learn fast and get a real taste of skiing’s speed and thrills, skis are a solid choice. Hiring an instructor for one-on-one guidance will help you progress even faster.

You can wear the resort’s clothing or your own, as long as it’s a padded winter jacket—there’s no strict requirement. The resort’s jackets come in three colors: orange, blue, and a patterned design. Personally, I think the solid orange or blue looks better.

I also spotted quite a few kids skiing; it’s a real all-ages movement now. If you’re just starting, you can even begin practicing on flat ground.

The pros make it look elegant, gliding along without poles—almost ice-skating smooth. The snowboarders all look effortlessly cool too.

Boarders are a rarer sight on the slopes, which makes them stand out. I chose snowboarding for one simple reason: style. Even though I knew skiing would be easier, I resolutely opted for a board. Plus, snowboarding offers more variety—once you level up, you can pull off all sorts of tricks.

After a full day, I could still see plenty of skiers and boarders enjoying themselves. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro, you’ll find your own kind of joy at Shengxianli.

Besides skiing and boarding, the resort also offers snowmobiling and snow tubing—tons of fun. If you get tired of the slopes, dip into these laid-back snow activities for a different kind of play.

Snowmobiles can be driven by an instructor or by yourself, and it’s very safe. I tried driving one and had a blast—really thrilling! Still, having an instructor with you is the safer bet.

Snow tubing is perfect for parents with little ones. Being pulled along the snow brings back fond memories of playing in the snow up in northeast China’s snow towns.

Price-wise, an all-day unlimited ski pass costs only 160 yuan per person on weekdays, 240 yuan on weekends. During the Spring Festival period, you can opt for an hourly pass: 240 yuan per person per hour for a one-hour session, or 480 yuan per person per hour for a two-hour session. The shuttle bus ticket is 30 yuan per person round trip.

Finally, take a look at our cool snowboarder girl’s adventure. As expected, snowboarding looks incredibly dashing and is perfect for photos!

I bumped into some real experts on the slopes—they had their own boards and gear, their moves fluid and seasoned. For them, Shengxianli’s intermediate runs were a piece of cake.

A snowboarding silhouette against a backdrop of pristine white—honestly, the whole scene was beautiful.

The End

With the Beijing Winter Olympics just around the corner, do you still worry about not being able to ski if you live in Jiangnan? Come to Tonglu Shengxianli International Ski Resort and feel the speed and passion of skiing together.