Wanlong Ski Resort is China's largest ski mountain and a good example of the new breed of destination resorts. Located less than a 4 hour drive from Beijing, it sees over 1000 skiers each weekend and claims to have reached peak crowds of 3000. At 6000'+ elevation, it also enjoys one of China's longest seasons. The 100 room 3 star Shuanglong hotel and the new Yuelong business hotel located on site offer room to lift skiing and the assortment of amenities that you would expect in slope side hotels.
English Speaking Representative - Bernie Wang (wang Congjia) 0313-4785006/4616784 cell 15033603232 email wanlong_jnh@163.com
New 6 Passenger High Speed Lift to Top
Wanlong has 5 chairs and one Cable car lift: The first is a double chair that goes to mid mountain with one main trail back down and a terrain park side trail. This wide beginning/intermediate slope is the primary teaching area and is excellent learning terrain. The top of this lift connects with a brand new quad chair to the top of the mountain (2210M). Chairs 3 and 4 serve expansion areas as the ski area grows to the west taking in a new valley and ridge area. A new detachable 6 passenger high speed lift now carries you from the bottom of the western slopes all the way to the top of chair 2. The Cable car connects the base lodge with the top of the mountain and will operate all year long for skiing and tourism.
Top of the Mountain Cabin at Wanlong
On top is a warm up/refreshment log cabin with a new greenhouse structure addition. Inside you can get a hot drink, snacks including dumplings or just sit by the fireplace and relax. Since most of the skiers stay on the bottom half of the mountain, it is not heavily used, but still well staffed for good service. The view from the top is panoramic of the entire area.
2017 -2018 Trail Map
Wanlong Off the Top
There are 9 distinct trails off the top that branch out into 16 other main trails including seven new trails that opened on the westerly ridge. The Eastern most is a skate for the first 650 M, then either a nice wide intermediate cruising trail from there or a branch to the right leading to intermediate trails that end up back at the ShuangLong hotel and connect through the beginners area to return to the base lodge. The top of this trail is also where the interconnect with Secret Garden is located. Westward from the top are top to bottom trails along the ridge line that lead to the rest of the trails down one of four ridges or four valleys with varying degrees of challenge.
Mid Mountain Trail at Wanlong
On the westernmost side of the mountain are the newest set of trails including some steep pitches from the ridge to the valley. In the middle of these are long mostly intermediate wide cruising trails that either branch back to the mid mountain lift or continue along the western ridges all the way to the bottom. The pitches on the final portion of some of these trails are the steepest on the mountain and could be quite nice if there was enough snow to build a mogul field. However, early in the season it is groomed flat and skied fast by most of the skiers who take this route. (One of these trails does get a man-made mogul field built for those eager to work ot our knees!) Getting back to the base lodge from the center and eastern half of the mountain is direct and easy. However, getting back to the base lodge from the western sections serviced by lifts 4, 5, 6 and 7 takes a little planning to avoid a lengthy uphill walk at the end or another ride up one of these lifts. Overall, there are enough lift and trail combinations to ski the better portion of a couple of days without using the same route twice.
Magic Carpet on Beginners Slope
For beginners there is a separate slope leading from the hotel to the base lodge. In 2008 the lift servicing this slope was been replaced by a magic carpet (a belt conveyor you just stand on as it conveys you to the top.) It is said to be one of the longest Magic Carpets in the world.
Shuanglong Hotel at Wanlong
Getting to Wanlong is typically a 4 hour trip by car or bus. (Getting out of Beijing on Friday nights and back in on Sunday afternoons can see heavy traffic that extends this.)The area's web site lists commercial transportation options including a van they run themselves if you have a minimum of 3 people signed up. Not a problem on weekends, but if you have less than 3 people on a weekday, it might not be available. Cost for the resort's van was 180 RMB/person round trip last year. You could also rent the van for 1-10 people for 500RMB each way. The public bus to ChongLi is cheaper at 60 RMB, but will take you most of a day from Beijing to Wanlong with no time left to ski. When you arrive in Chongli, a car can be hired for 50 RMB to take you to the resort. Alternatively, a night train leaving Beijing at 2:30 AM gets you to Zhangjiakou about 6 AM and a 180-200 RMB cab ride takes you to the slopes in time to catch the first lift when it opens. You can also try to hire a Beijing car and driver. This might cost as much as 800 RMB each way. On weekends, starting last year, the businesses in ChongLi started offering buses that leave from Third ring road and Badaling Highway intersection in Beijing on Friday night and return on Sunday night. However, unless you are comfortable traveling on your own in China it is best to know someone with a car or join a group.
Renting it all at Wanlong
Costs at Wanlongduring the 2017-2018 season are up a bit with a regular season Lift ticket - RMB590/8 hours, Ordinary Rentals (Solomon skis and boots) RMB260/day, High End Rentals add 40 RMB, ski suit - RMB30/day and a locker is RMB10/day. Chinese New Year is quite higher while multiday tickets knock about 20% off the single day prices. Note that a 500RMB cash deposit is required to rent the equipment.The hotel ratesrange from 308RMB/night weekdays at the new Yuelong hotel up to 2908RMB/night for multi person suites peak season at the Shuanglong Hotel. Packages including lifts and equipment are also available.
New Lunch Service at Ski Lodge
Choices for food are limited to the hotel and ski area base lodge. A good combination Western and Chinese breakfast is included in the room rate. Lunch is at the ski lodge for 40 - 80 RMB per person and dinner is in the Shuanglong hotel dining room at 100 - 180 RMB per person (unless you go for the expensive premium dishes). A dinner buffet in the Yuelong hotel is 118/148 RMB week days/weekends. The quality of the hotel food is quite good and the ski area food has improved significantly with an easier to navigate food selection area.
