We have had requests for information about the ski area in Shennongjia national forest in Hubei province so we recently visited to see what they had. While the mountains of Shennongjia certainly have the size and location for a major ski resort to be built, this is not one. The ski area has two surface lifts that serve a large open bowl of beginner's terrain. Two intermediate trails come into it from the top of the hill but they are not very long. The area gets about 0.5 meter of snow in an average year and thus relies on man made snow for a skiing base.
However, if you are thinking of traveling from Shanghai for a ski vacation, you had better consider other alternatives if you want to do any serious skiing or snowboarding. Also, if you are not a Chinese national, forget this resort as it is located in a restricted area closed to foreigners without special permission.