ALTAY, Xinjiang, Jan.6, 2026, skiers and snowboarders took to the slopes at Jiangjunshan International Ski Resort, a unique urban alpine destination located within the city of Altay in northwest China’s Xinjiang region.
Jiangjunshan is distinctive as China’s only high-mountain ski resort built inside a city, combining the convenience of urban access with developed winter sports infrastructure. The resort now offers 61 ski runs totaling 71 kilometres, with two courses certified by the International Ski Federation (FIS) and a ski season that typically extends from late October through early April.
The resort’s facilities include eight chairlifts and 11 surface “magic carpet” lifts, capable of transporting up to 16,000 people per hour. Ski terrain is balanced for a range of abilities, with a 3:4:3 ratio of beginner, intermediate and advanced runs, and a maximum vertical drop of 460 metres.
A large practice area exceeding 200,000 square metres serves novices and casual skiers, while terrain parks and freestyle zones — including a four-season dry-slope training area with jumps and moguls — cater to more experienced riders.
Jiangjunshan’s accessible location has made it especially popular with families and city-based visitors. The resort is part of a broader effort to expand winter tourism in the Altay region, combining snow sports with improved transport links and year-round activity offerings.
Photos and reporting by Rémon Chen
