Altay Skiing Journey
Where Big Mountains Meet Deep Winter
Ten days through northern Xinjiang, combining the local ski culture of Altay City with the vast mountain terrain and deep winter landscapes of Hemu. From the slopes above Altay City to the high-alpine terrain of Jikepulin, this journey explores two very different sides of skiing in China’s far northwest. Ski at General Mountain, travel deeper into the Altai Mountains, and spend four days surrounded by the forests, peaks and wooden villages of Hemu. It is a journey shaped as much by the landscape as the skiing — remote, spacious and distinctly different from China’s more developed resort regions.
What's Included
- Private ground transfers throughout the journey
- 6-day Ski passes at General Mountain and Jikepulin
- Selected accommodation
- Trip planning and local support
At a Glance
Arrival in Xinjiang
Arrive in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang and the starting point for your journey north. After your airport transfer and hotel check-in, the rest of the day is kept intentionally light, giving you time to settle in, prepare your ski gear and explore the city at your own pace.
For those with time and energy, Urumqi offers an introduction to the flavours and cultural influences that make Xinjiang unlike anywhere else in China.
Fly North to Altay
After breakfast, transfer to Urumqi Airport for your flight north to Altay, cutting across the vast landscapes of Xinjiang and bringing you directly into one of China’s most distinctive ski regions.
On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Altay City and settle in for the next stage of the journey. General Mountain rises directly behind the city, creating an unusual setting where serious skiing and everyday city life sit side by side.
The rest of the day is yours to relax, explore locally and prepare for the first day on snow.
Ski Above the City
Spend three days skiing at General Mountain, one of the defining ski areas of Altay and a rare resort positioned immediately above the city.
Its varied terrain makes these first days a natural introduction to skiing in Xinjiang, with expansive mountain views and convenient access back into Altay between ski days.
After skiing, return to the city for local restaurants and a glimpse of everyday winter life in a region where skiing has deep cultural roots.
Deeper into the Altai Mountains
Leave Altay City and travel into the mountains towards Hemu and Jikepulin, where the landscape becomes increasingly remote — dense forests, broad valleys and snow-covered peaks replacing the city below.
Spend the next four days skiing at Jikepulin International Ski Resort, known for its scale, long vertical and natural snow. The mountain offers a markedly different experience from General Mountain, with longer descents and a stronger sense of big-mountain terrain.
Beyond the slopes, Hemu adds another dimension to the journey. Wooden houses sit beneath snow-covered mountains, and quiet winter evenings offer time to explore the village, walk through the surrounding landscape or simply slow down after a full day on the mountain.
Leaving Altay
After breakfast, check out and transfer to Altay Airport for your onward journey.
The trip ends here, after ten days crossing one of China’s most distinctive winter regions — from the cities of Xinjiang to the mountains and deep snow of the Altai.
This route, reframed for your party and season.
Write with your travel window, who is travelling, and how you like days to feel between skiing and rest. We answer with a journey sketched for you — a conversation, not a brochure.