Best Weekend Ski Trips from Shanghai
Home / Travel Blog / Blog Details
The Shanghai skyline is a marvel of glass and steel, but when the winter chill sets in, a different kind of thrill calls to the urban adventurer: the whisper of skis on fresh powder. For those trapped in the concrete jungle, a weekend ski trip is the perfect antidote to city life. Fortunately, within a few hours' travel from Shanghai, a surprising world of snowy slopes, cozy resorts, and alpine adventures awaits. Forget the long-haul flights to Switzerland or Japan; some of Asia's most exciting and accessible ski destinations are right on your doorstep. This guide dives into the best weekend getaways, blending practical travel tips with the latest trends in winter tourism.
While Shanghai itself is famously flat, the mountainous regions of Northern China, Korea, and even Japan are within striking distance for a well-planned weekend. The key is choosing a destination that balances travel time, slope quality, and overall experience.
The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics permanently put China's ski scene on the map. The most direct and popular weekend trips head north to the provinces of Hebei and Jilin.
Chongli, Zhangjiakou (Hebei): Just a 2-hour high-speed train ride from Beijing (which is a 4.5-hour bullet train from Shanghai), Chongli is the undisputed champion for Shanghai-based skiers. The Olympic legacy means world-class facilities. Thaiwoo Ski Resort is a favorite for its modern infrastructure, diverse terrain (with excellent beginner and intermediate runs), and vibrant apres-ski village that wouldn't look out of place in the Alps. Genting Resort Secret Garden hosted freestyle and snowboard events and is a paradise for terrain park enthusiasts and advanced riders seeking challenging gullies and bowls. The weekend trip here is seamless: Friday night train to Beijing, transfer to a Beijing-Chongli train or private car, and you're on the slopes by Saturday morning.
Changbaishan (Jilin): For a more immersive resort experience, the Changbaishan International Resort is a powerhouse. Access involves flying from Shanghai to Baishan or Changchun (around 2.5 hours), followed by a resort transfer. Operated by the Swiss group Club Med and featuring slopes designed by Canadian experts, it offers a consistent, high-quality ski experience. The resort is massive, with slopes for all levels, and the big draw is its proximity to the stunning Tianchi (Heaven Lake) on the border of North Korea. The combination of skiing and spectacular natural scenery makes it a unique two-day adventure.
A short 1.5 to 2-hour flight from Shanghai opens up the dynamic ski resorts of South Korea. This option combines excellent skiing with fantastic food, vibrant nightlife, and a distinct cultural twist.
Yongpyong Resort (PyeongChang): Known as Korea's largest ski resort and a 2018 Winter Olympics venue, Yongpyong boasts long, scenic runs, particularly famous for its Rainbow Slopes. It's a fantastic all-around destination with a great mix of terrain. The Alpensia Resort, also in PyeongChang, offers a more compact but equally fun experience, often with attractive package deals.
High1 Resort (Gangwon-do): Famous for its extensive beginner-friendly slopes and a casino for apres-ski diversions, High1 is a crowd-pleaser. The resort is easily accessible via a dedicated train from Seoul.
The Korean ski trip formula is potent: Fly to Seoul (Incheon or Gimpo) on Friday evening, take a resort shuttle or rent a car, ski all day Saturday and Sunday, and enjoy Korean BBQ and soju in the evening. It’s a perfect blend of sport and culture.
For the serious powder hound, Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido is the holy grail. While a weekend trip is more ambitious, it's absolutely doable with direct flights from Shanghai to Sapporo (New Chitose Airport). The legendary Niseko United area is about a 2.5-hour transfer from the airport. Here, you’ll find the famous "Japow" – incredibly light, dry, deep snow that is world-renowned. The resort is international, with English widely spoken and a plethora of rental options. While this requires more precise timing (a Friday red-eye and a late Sunday return), the reward is arguably the best skiing accessible from Shanghai within a weekend timeframe. Closer options like Nagano (home of the 1998 Olympics) are also accessible via Shanghai-Tokyo flights, but transfer times make them a tighter squeeze.
Modern ski travel isn't just about schussing down mountains. Here are the hottest trends shaping these weekend getaways from Shanghai:
Apres-Ski 2.0: The party continues off-piste. Resorts like Thaiwoo have invested heavily in creating experiential zones—think craft beer microbreweries on the mountain, live music in slope-side pods, and gourmet dining that moves beyond simple fuel. In Korea, the apres-ski seamlessly merges with local pojangmacha (street tent bar) culture.
Tech-Enabled Convenience: Gone are the days of chaotic rental lines. Most major resorts now offer seamless online systems where you can pre-book lift passes, ski lessons (with English-speaking instructors), and equipment rentals via WeChat mini-programs or apps. You can often pick up your RFID lift pass and pre-sized gear in minutes.
Family & Beginner-Focused Infrastructure: The market growth is in first-time skiers. Resorts are responding with magic carpets (conveyor belt lifts), superb beginner zones, and comprehensive "learn to ski" packages that include gear, passes, and lessons. Club Med Changbaishan’s all-inclusive model is particularly appealing for families, taking the logistics headache away.
The "Skication" Hybrid: Many travelers are now blending skiing with other winter activities. This includes snowmobiling, dog sledding, visiting natural hot springs (onsen in Japan, wenquan in China), ice fishing, or sightseeing. A weekend in Changbaishan can mix skiing with a visit to the volcanic geysers; a trip to Korea might include a post-ski cultural day in Seoul.
Pulling off a successful ski weekend from Shanghai requires a tactical approach.
The Travel Hack: For Chinese destinations, book your high-speed train tickets the moment they become available (usually 14 days in advance). For international trips, flight prices surge around holidays, so set alerts and be ready to book. Consider flying out Thursday night if your schedule allows—it gifts you a full Friday on the slopes.
Packing Smart: The golden rule: carry on your boots and ski wear. Your entire ski outfit (base layers, mid-layers, jacket, pants, gloves, goggles) should be in your cabin luggage. This ensures you can hit the slopes immediately even if your checked luggage (containing your skis/board and casual clothes) is delayed. Many seasoned travelers now rent high-performance skis or snowboards at the resort to avoid baggage fees and hassle.
Accommodation Strategy: For maximum slope time, choose "ski-in/ski-out" lodging if your budget allows. If not, look for hotels with reliable, frequent shuttle services to the base lifts. In places like Niseko, booking a catered chalet with friends can be surprisingly cost-effective and enhances the communal experience.
Embracing the Community: Join Shanghai-based expat and local social media groups focused on skiing. They are invaluable for finding travel buddies, getting last-minute tips on snow conditions, and sometimes organizing group trips with discounted rates.
The urban energy of Shanghai is exhilarating, but the call of the mountains is a powerful counterbalance. Whether you're carving your first turns on the gentle slopes of Chongli, navigating the tree runs of Niseko's deep powder, or enjoying the vibrant apres-ski culture of Yongpyong, a world of winter wonder is closer than you think. All it takes is a Friday evening departure, a sense of adventure, and the desire to trade the city's neon glow for the crisp, white brilliance of a mountain sunrise. Your perfect weekend ski escape is waiting.
Copyright Statement:
Author: Shanghai Travel
Link: https://shanghaitravel.github.io/travel-blog/best-weekend-ski-trips-from-shanghai.htm
Source: Shanghai Travel
The copyright of this article belongs to the author. Reproduction is not allowed without permission.