Northwest China — Finding hidden gem ski resorts is harder to come by these days. But in China, there’s still much for foreigners to explore, given its rapidly growing ski industry.
Say Ni Hao to Jikepulin Ski Resort in Hemu, China. Located near the Chinese border with Mongolia, Russia, and Kazakhstan, it’s got the potential to be a skiing destination that attracts visitors from not just China.
Freeride pro-skier Tao Kreibich explored in two episodes of his video series, and he’s seriously impressed. Only recently opened, the ski resort has modern lifts, yet it’s not overdeveloped. The ski resort has dry snow and a nice variety of slopes.
The Risks/Drawbacks
There are a few issues that exist in the region. In the video, they say you can duck b-netting to get to some excellent terrain. While it’s technically not allowed, it’s not really enforced. The problem is that these blocked-off areas are avalanche-prone. Also, based on which line you choose, there’s the risk of being caught by border police.
While this ski resort has a lot of potential, it should be noted that there are risks to skiing in off-piste zones. Avalanche forecasting in China is still in its infancy, so it’s extremely risky. If you do decide to take that risk, you should go with a buddy and carry all the appropriate avalanche gear.
Basically, if you’re skiing off designated trails, it’s the backcountry. This was demonstrated in December 2025, when an avalanche occurred at the ski resort. According to the South China Morning Post, one skier was killed by the slide.
As alluded to in videos, this is the Uyghur Autonomous Region. If you’re a global news follower, you’re probably aware of this region because of reported human rights violations against the Uyghurs. That’s not to say they’re the only country on the planet that has those kinds of issues. However, if you care about that type of stuff, this probably isn’t the best ski resort to visit.
Despite those notable issues, I appreciate Tao’s video, as I’m curious to see how China, and this ski resort in particular, grow in the years ahead.
Image/Video Credits: Tao Kreibich, ABC Avalanchas, Jikepulin International Ski Resort
