Dubbed the "snow capital of China", Xinjiang has emerged as one of the country's best ski destinations.

China’s ski boom has seen an explosion of new resorts around the country, the bulk of which are found in Northeast China, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and Xinjiang, China’s “wild west”.

Beijing may have scored the Winter Olympics, but it’s Xinjiang, on the opposite side of the country, that has been dubbed the “snow capital of China”. This sparsely populated autonomous region boasts some of the best natural ski conditions in the country, but its resorts remain largely unknown outside of China.

Blessed with mountainous terrain, an abundance of snowfall and a long winter season, Xinjiang has major potential as a snow sports hub. The region, which was promoted heavily in the buildup to Beijing 2022, has since seen a sharp rise in its popularity with domestic skiers.

It’s not yet clear whether Xinjiang will live up to its promise as a world-class ski destination; its development has been hindered by COVID restrictions and political unrest. But, for now, it remains an intriguing option for the intrepid skier.

Keketuohai: China’s highest ski resort

Of Xinjiang’s 72 ski resorts, Keketuohai International Ski Resort, one of its newest, might also be its best. Keketuohai (also known as Koktokay), is billed as China’s highest ski resort, topping out at 3041 m and offering an impressive 1220 m vertical drop. The resort also features China’s longest (9 km) and steepest (71.28%) ski runs.

In total, Keketuohai comprises 27 marked trails and 28 km of terrain, with 3 high-speed gondolas in operation. It also features several mogul fields, a halfpipe, slopestyle courses and options for cross-country skiing.

The resort boasts an 8 month ski season, with lifts opening in October and closing in May. Keketuohai’s long ski season can be attributed to its high altitude, but skiers expecting intolerable cold might be surprised to discover that Keketuohai enjoys a milder climate than some of China’s better known ski destinations, particularly those in the far north east.

Keketuohai: Travel and logistics

Keketuohai is tucked away in a remote corner of Xinjiang, China’s westernmost province. To reach the resort, skiers will first need to fly to Urumqi, Xinjiang’s capital, then to Fuyun County in Altay Prefecture – buses from Urumqi to Fuyun (6.5 hr / 450 km) are also available. From Fuyun Koktokay Airport, it’s an hour and a half (~90 km) by taxi to the town of Keketuohai, then a further 18 km by shuttle to the ski resort.

Lift tickets range from RMB 240 (4 hrs) to RMB 620 (full-day inc. equipment). Skis and equipment can be rented mountain-side.

Altay: The origin of human skiing

Xinjiang is fast emerging as one of China’s best ski destinations. However, it’s not quite fair to say that skiing is new to the region. In fact, Xinjiang is considered by some to be the birthplace of human skiing, though several other countries claim this title.

In 2005, cave paintings depicting ski-bound hunters were discovered in Xinjiang’s Altay Prefecture. Chinese researchers have estimated these to be 12,000 years old, which, if correct, might suggest that skiing originated in the Altay Mountains before spreading through Russia, Finland and Scandinavia.

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