The original Ski resort in Yabuli was the Yabuli Windmill Resort that was purchased by MCR in 2007 and underwent a complete makeover. Reopened in January 2009 and renamed Yabuli Sun Mountain Resort, it is now up and running with the first real slopeside western standards resort in Yabuli. The skiing has been expanded with two new advanced/intermediate trails from the top as well as a long new intermediate trail and a smaller separately serviced new set of lifts and trails on a lower mountain in front of the larger original mountain. Both mountains have interconnection trails and should make for a variety of runs that are a vast improvement over the prior ski hill. A new beginners’ area on the bottom replaces the old area on top that required first time skiers to ride the chairlift before they had even learned the first thing about their skis.
Yabuli Sun Mountain Trail Map
With approximately 1500 vertical feet, the runs are long enough with enough pitch to give a good enough workout to make relaxing in the SunMountain lodge a well deserved reward. Of course, with the extent of reliance on man made snow that all Chinese resorts have, the commitment of management to make the investment each year is the difference between promising and having real mountain skiing. MCR/ClubMed should have the resources to make that investment on a continuing basis and so offer a dependable ski product. For the more budget conscious, YabuliSunMountain plans to refurbish the very tired Windmill Inn. However, it is unclear at this time whether to expect anything more than a very basic experience, albeit with a smile and comparatively good English by most of the staff. (If you do not speak Chinese, you may be challenged at some of the other 2-3 star hotels in the area in this same price range). The main YabuliSunMountain advanced slopes are served by a new gondola that offers standard 6 passanger and luxury 4 passenger VIP cars. The new lodge has been done in true 4 star (Chinese 5 star) style with both western and Chinese cuisine, an after ski bar and deck, exercise/spa facility, indoor swimming pool with outdoor hot tub and all the basics you would expect in any top end western ski resort. Begnning this winter, the Sun Mountain Lodge will be operated by ClubMed and its facilities (other than skiing) accessable only by ClubMed guests. Prices for the Lodge will be, in the ClubMed style, all inclusive prices including skiing, rentals, lessons, all food and drinks and whatever else they throw in. Current prices are available on the ClubMed web site. For those guests staying at other facilities, lift ticket prices, including rentals, last season were 370/460RMB weekday/weekend for a full day (250/310 for half day). If you have your own equipment you can knock 160RMB (100 half day) off that. In additions, discounts for multi day and hotel packages are also usually available.
