#2: Yabuli

These last two sites aren’t so much the best resorts around as they are just interesting places to visit! And if you can get some skiing done along the way, so much the better!

China’s Yabuli Ski Resort, home of the third Asian winter games and just miles from the Russian border, is one of China’s main ski resorts.

You may not think “China” and “skiing,” and I wouldn’t recommend going to Yabuli if all you’re looking for is a great skiing adventure. But if you love to ski and the idea of checking out China appeals to you, Yabuli is a great place for a side trip!

Better still, you don’t even have to pack your own equipment: Yabuli expects their visitors to come from a great distance, so they keep a wide variety of extremely high-end ski equipment on hand as rentals. Accommodations are far from luxurious, but are extremely affordable (the location is popular with locals, however, so you’d do well to book ahead).

Yabuli also boasts English-speaking ski instructors, beautiful ski areas, some very challenging slopes, and authentic Chinese food (which may or may not appeal to you, depending on how you feel about eating things we usually trap in the garden). All in all, Yabuli is a great side trip and a wonderful way to get in a few days of skiing as you tour the Far East!