China - Freeride New Horizons

Impressions of the Scouting trip

Following a scouting trip the previous autumn, we traveled to the Chinese Altai with a group for the first time in February 2026. The journey was so unique and beautiful that it is set to become a permanent fixture in our future program. Everything is very exciting and new to us; yet, we are delighted by just how smoothly—and how well-organized—almost everything turned out to be. Once you’ve gotten the hang of WeChat and a VPN, everything runs quite smoothly—even if we do encounter occasional language barriers. The people are very friendly and helpful.

The mountain at Jikepulin is truly impressive; offering 1,400 vertical meters of ski terrain serviced by numerous brand-new gondola lifts, it is sure to make any freerider’s heart skip a beat.

Jikepulin, a New Skiing Destination

At over 50 degrees north latitude, bordering Mongolia, Russia, and Kazakhstan, the country is sparsely populated, and winters are long and harsh. This is also the birthplace of skiing; hunters and trappers have been active in the wintry mountains for over 2,000 years. Construction of the ski area only began four years ago, but there are already an impressive seven state-of-the-art gondola lifts. With their snow-covered peaks and flanks, the mountains are a veritable invitation to freeride. We soar 1,500 meters up to almost 3,000 meters in less than 12 minutes on the gondola. From up here, the Altai Mountains seem endless.

If you'd like to discover a completely new culture and ski where few have gone before, then come with us on a special and exotic journey to the Chinese Altai.

Area and Snow Conditions

The region stretches across an area of ​​350 square kilometers on the western slopes of the Yun Xiao Feng Mountains. Many of the runs are directly accessible from the lift, but skins and good bindings are absolutely essential for this trip. While the westward runs repeatedly take us to the valley station, the north side is a bit more adventurous, with runs leading down to the Hemu River and the village of the same name, where local Uyghurs (Kazakhs) still live according to traditional customs of animal husbandry and hunting.

The west side of the Altai Mountains is known for long, harsh winters with plenty of fresh snow. Due to its northern location, snow falls as early as mid-October, reaching the valleys. As in the Altai destinations we know, the winter months are characterized by snow but also by permanently sub-zero temperatures, which is, of course, a clear advantage for the snow quality.

Travel Itinerary

From Central Europe, we most probably will fly via Beijing to Altay City. From there a three-hour shuttle bus ride then takes us up to Hemu Village, where we will be accommodated. The next seven days are now ours to explore and discover this virtually unknown region, which offers almost endless possibilities.

At the end of the journey, with a wealth of beautiful memories and experiences in tow, we fly back to Central Europe via Beijing.

Our Hotel

In 2027, we are once again expected to be accommodated at the Hemu Hotel. The hotel offers rooms in a Western style. We can enjoy breakfast at the hotel, while several restaurants in the surrounding area are available for dinner. All culinary delights are prepared and served fresh every day, treating our palates to everything from the finest noodle soups to crispy grilled skewers. A ski shuttle transports us to the ski resort in the mornings.

Specific Travel Information

A ski trip to China is always full of surprises; your attitude and expectations should reflect this accordingly. Unforeseen incidents may occur over which we have no control—such as the closure of a ski lift or the closing of slopes for reasons that are not apparent to us.