Ice and Snow Altay

Archaeological evidence of the "origin of human skiing" is right in Altay. The snow season here runs from November to April, with abundant natural snowfall and stable temperatures. Coupled with prices that are only half of those in Japanese and Korean ski resorts, it is becoming a new option on Asia's skiing map.

Three Ski Resort Highlights

• General Mountain: A ski resort by the city, night skiing accompanied by city lights, most comfortable for beginners to intermediate skiers.
• Koktokay: Vertical drop of over a thousand meters, long slopes and wild snow forests, advanced skiers can achieve 20,000 meters vertical in a day.
• Jikepulin (Hemu): Combines skiing with a snow village experience; after skiing, you look up to see the smoke rising from Tuva village houses.

Snow Season Itinerary Template

Five-day skiing: Fly from Urumqi to Altay (70 minutes) — Two days at General Mountain — Transfer to Koktokay for two days — Return. Add two days at Hemu Snow Village: snowmobile into the mountains, stay in wooden cabins, horse-drawn sledding, and splash water in the morning to freeze into ice. Non-skiers can plan ice fishing, snow hot springs, and museum visits.

Equipment and Safety

Full ski equipment can be rented, bring your own base layers; electronic devices lose power quickly in extreme cold, keep batteries close to your body. Helmets are mandatory, follow a guide in wild snow areas; outdoor activities in minus thirty-degree Celsius conditions should be planned by the hour, don’t push yourself.