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Harbin Ice and Snow Festival 2010

Editor — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:44:56 +0000

For one of the biggest snow and ice sculpture festivals in the world, head to the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival 2010, this kicked off on the 5th of January and continues through to an undetermined date in February. Here festival goers will be able to marvel at a host of ice structures and detailed sculptures, and at night, their magnificence is illuminated by a light display. The festival was inaugurated in 1985 and has grown to incorporate many other activities such as boxing tournaments, fishing competitions, tea gardens, winter sport trade fair, skiing tours and dance tournaments.

The Harbin Ice and Snow Festival is an event not to missed, as it is rich in history, color, culture and skiing fun.

Date: 5 January – February 2010
Venue: Songhua River
City: Harbin
Country: China

Skiing at China’s Sun Mountain Yabuli

Editor — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:40:58 +0000

The rapid economic development that China is experiencing is resulting in a growing number of middle and upper class citizens who are starting to explore available options for leisure and entertainment activities. Recognizing this, Melco China Resorts has revealed plans for the development of a world-class ski resort, Sun Mountain Yabuli. Located about 2.5 hours by road, or 90 minutes by train, from the city of Harbin in the northern Heilongjiang Province of China, the four-season Sun Mountain Yabuli resort aims to be China’s first international-standard ski resort.

The boutique-style Sun Mountain Lodge has been invited to join the prestigious “Small Luxury Hotels of the World” collection, which includes more than 440 hotels in over 70 countries, guaranteeing guests that certain standards are being met by the hotels they endorse. By December 2008, the resort will boast three hotels, the Sun Mountain Lodge at the top of the mountain and two hotels at the base. With a total of 312 rooms, Sun Mountain Yabuli will include 24 luxury suites with saunas, outdoor hot tubs and observation decks. An additional condo-style hotel with 263 rooms is planned for completion by December 2009. Moreover, mountainside resort homes will be available for sale to private individuals.

Excellent conditions for snow skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports are virtually guaranteed during ski season, thanks to state-of-the-art snowmaking facilities. Heated high-speed gondolas and chair lifts ensure that skiers get to the slopes without delay. Restaurants, cafÃ©s, health spas and exciting nightlife all go towards ensuring that guests enjoy a memorable holiday.

In addition to superb on-mountain and resort activities for skiers of all levels of expertise, from beginners through to professional skiers, Sun Mountain Yabuli will offer a range of activities depending on the season, including boating, water sports, zip lining, horse-riding and mountain biking. Camping facilities will be available for those who want to forgo the extensive comforts of the hotels in order to get closer to nature. Sun Mountain Yabuli will also be offering wilderness schools from summer 2009.

As an endorsement of the superb winter sport conditions that prevail at Sun Mountain Yabuli, the resort has been selected to host the World Winter University Games to be held 18-28 February 2009. For snow skiing enthusiasts with a hankering to try something different, a trip to China and a visit to the Sun Mountain Yabuli is likely to be just what you are looking for.

Great Competition at the 2008 Vasaloppet China

Editor — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 15:15:58 +0000

The city of Changchun in China will host its sixth Vasaloppet event from 30 December 2007 to 3 January 2008. This increasingly popular snow skiing event is based on Vasaloppet Sweden, the biggest ski event in the world with over 45,000 participants each year. Vasaloppet China started off in 2003 with about 750 participants and by the 2007 event 16,200 skiers were participating. Organizers anticipate that 2008 Vasaloppet China will be bigger than ever before.

Vasaloppet China has numerous races and special events taking place over a period of five days, with the main event being a 50 kilometer cross country ski endurance test that is open to everyone. Other races include the 16.7 kilometer Blueberry Vasa and the exciting short-track Ski-Sprint in which the world’s elite skiers can earn FIS points. A special Kids and Student race will add an element of fun to the competitive spirit that will no doubt prevail. Forty skiers ranking in the world’s top 100 have registered to participate in 2008 Vasoloppet China, promising some tough competition to make the event really interesting.

2008 Vasaloppet China starts off on Sunday 30 December 2007 with registration and ski training and testing at the arena, followed in the evening by a dinner to welcome participants. Monday morning will be free time, during which participants can join the arranged sight-seeing tour or spend some time ski course testing and training. Lunch will be served at the ski arena, with the evening being devoted to the “Vasa Night” banquet and New Year’s celebrations.

The competition gets under way on the first day of the New Year. The opening ceremony will be followed by the Tour de Ski China Stage 2, with the prize giving ceremony scheduled for mid-afternoon. The evening program boasts a banquet and entertainment, including a fireworks display. Wednesday features a full program which includes the Vasaloppet 50 kilometer race, Blueberry Vasa and Student’s Vasa mass start, as well as the Tour de Ski China Stage 3. The children’s Vasaloppet and prize giving will take place later in the day. Ranking announcements and an awards ceremony are scheduled for the early afternoon. A farewell party with entertainment will round off the activities.

The magnificent ice and snow artistry of the Moon Lake Ice and Snow Festival are sure to add to the magical festive atmosphere of 2008 Vasaloppet China. Skiing through the snow-covered landscape of the Moon Lake National Park is the type of experience that skiers are not likely to forget.