Groups of skiers get ready to learn how to ski on February 17, 2013. [Photo by Lance Crayon/chinadaily.com.cn]

The Changbaishan Ski Resort, tucked away in Jilin province, is one of China’s latest premiere ski destinations. The new resort is yet another sign that snow skiing in China is growing in demand. As snow skiing and resort destinations continue to develop, it will only be a matter of time before the country hosts its first Winter Olympics.

In the distance skiers can see the mountain known as Changbaishan, which means “often white mountain” on February 17, 2013. [Photo by Lance Crayon/chinadaily.com.cn]

In China, snow skiing is one of the fastest growing leisure activities in the country. Last summer saw the opening of hotels such as the Sheraton and Westin at the Changbaishan resort, which both sit at the bottom of the ski runs walking distance from both hotel lobbies. The ski resort is located about 5 kilometers from the Yanji International Airport, and bus transportation makes it all too convenient for visitors to arrive, check in and hit the slopes.

The actual mountain known as Changbaishan is one of the largest mountains in China, and it basically means “often white mountain.” It sits to the east of the ski resort, not far from Russia and North Korea.

 The ski range has a variety of runs for the beginner and the expert. There are plenty of ski instructors available to those who need lessons on how glide down a mountain on a pair of skis without falling down. Ski rentals are available along with full and half-day lift passes. And night skiing is also possible for those who can’t satisfy their thirst for snow skiing during the day.

Ski season at the Changbaishan resort begins in November and runs through early May, making it the only resort in China that offers seven months of skiing. When it opened a few years ago it only had one ski lift and 4 trails, now it has 4 lifts and close to twenty trails, and next year it will have even more. With progress like this it’ll be no time at all before the Chinese dominate a sport that hardly had a presence in the country a mere decade ago.

The Changbaishan Ski Resort provides trails for skiers at all levels, on February 16, 2013.[Photo by Lance Crayon/chinadaily.com.cn]

Once the sun goes down the Changbaishan Ski Resort lights up as it provides skiers with the opportunity to try their skills at night skiing. Photo taken on February 16, 2013.[Photo by Lance Crayon/chinadaily.com.cn]