Dubbed the City of Snow, Yabuli Town, 193.8 kilometers east of Harbin, the capital of northeastern China’s Heilongjiang Province, is characterized by a high concentration of ski resorts, of which the Yabuli Ski Resort is the largest in the nation. The resort includes runs for both tourists and expert skiers, becoming a winter paradise for both competitors and novices. This winter, I made a trip to the resort with some friends.

First Ski Experience

Early on our first morning in Harbin, we drove to the Yabuli Ski Resort. The first item on the agenda after arriving in Yabuli was choosing where to stay. It takes at least 15 minutes to walk from many hotels to the ski resort, which can be a major drawback in such a chilly winter, so we followed a local resident’s advice and stayed in a much closer hotel.

Yabuli literally means “orchard” in Russian. Surrounded by forested mountains, the ski resort is covered with thick snow all winter. As a first-time skier, I put on my boots and fastened them to the skis following the instructions of my coach. Then, with gear weighing 20 kilograms, I trudged up the beginner trail. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest when I started to slowly glide down. After moving less than 10 meters, I stopped halfway down the trail. When my coach skied to me, his masterly skills were impressive. “You can’t stop in the middle of the trail,” the coach stressed. “If you have to, stop on the side with a less-severe slope, or you can be hit by other skiers.” I practiced several times with the coach’s instructions, and could finally control my skis. Because the beginner trail had a gentle gradient, I didn’t ski too fast.

As night fell, my friends and I had dinner at a local quadrangle residence, which was immersed with decorative style of northeastern China’s rural residences of the 1960s and 70s. Its southeast chamber was decorated like a hunter’s cottage, while the northeast one was more festively furnished. Sitting around a table on a warm brick bed in its VIP room, we enjoyed traditional local delicacies. Although the chilly wind blew outside, we were filled with warmth. A common local dish, stewed chicken with mushrooms and vermicelli, warmed our stomachs as well as our hearts. As one course was served after another, we began singing old songs and sipping liquor.

Dubbed the City of Snow, Yabuli Town, 193.8 kilometers east of Harbin, the capital of northeastern China’s Heilongjiang Province, is characterized by a high concentration of ski resorts, of which the Yabuli Ski Resort is the largest in the nation. The resort includes runs for both tourists and expert skiers, becoming a winter paradise for both competitors and novices. This winter, I made a trip to the resort with some friends.

Flying on the Snow

After a day’s practice, we could perform some basic skiing techniques. As I glided down the slope for the sixth time, my speed became faster and faster, and an indescribable feeling consumed my body as though I could fly. However, the feeling abruptly ended when I reached three of my friends along my path down the hill. Bang! I smashed into them, causing all of us to fall in the snow. Fortunately, the snow was soft, and no one was injured. My friends soon helped each other to stand. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get up because the heavy gear overwhelmed my 45-kilogram frame. As I futilely attempted to rise over and over again, my friends couldn’t help but laugh.

Most skiers in the ski resort are beginners. Along with beginner trails, the Yabuli Ski Resort also offers intermediate and expert runs. First-time skiers are recommended to stay on the easiest trails, and if possible, utilize a coach who can provide professional instructions. For those afraid to stand on skis, tire sledding and snowmobiling are fun alternatives.