In Harbin we stayed at the Little Fir International Youth Hostel which was very cheap compared to the other expensive hotels in town. Though it was located in the university district and a little ways outside of the downtown, the staff were very friendly and provided maps and bus routes along with helpful advice about what to see and how to get there. The hostel also provided day trips to a nearby ski resort which Sean and I decided to try.
At 7am we were picked up by a tour group and immediately realized that we were the only non-Chinese people in the tour and that the day trip was going to be entirely in Chinese. Fortunately, that weekend Harbin was one of the sites for an important English exam as well as graduate exam so there were several students in town with their families who helped us with some of the more important translation of the guide. We spent three hours on a bus with stops for lunch and to pick up snow suits and then headed to Yabuli ski resort.
Yabuli ski resort is the biggest ski resort in China and the lodge and slopes were a bit chaotic. All of the people on our tour had never skied before and were anxious and nervous to try. We had the choice of only skiing in the afternoon or taking a cable car to the top of the mountain and then skiing after. Sean and I opted to see the top of the mountain and we were glad we did. The views were awesome as we climbed higher and higher and the weather become colder and colder.
Everything was covered in white crystals and it created a really beautiful and pristine panorama. Getting up to the top took about 45 minutes and by the time we got there I was so cold I didn't think I was going to make it. Fortunately, there was a little hut with overpriced coffee and tiny stoves to warm your feet. It was fantastic and felt good to get warm again before the ride down.
After we made it down we got our equipment and didn't have much time at all to ski before we had to start back home on the bus. We still had fun though and I remembered how horrible I am at downhill skiing and re-awakened some muscles I hadn't used in years. Most of the Chinese people on our tour hired "coaches" who skied backwards down the hill in front of each of them to try and teach them how to ski. It made for an interesting backdrop while heading up on the lifts. In Michigan we had ample opportunities to downhill ski but I was raised on cross country skiing. After struggling with the bunny hill, I was more than ready to go back to cross country skiing.
Sarah
I hate starting sentences with "This is random, but..." I am. :) This is random, but I am considering CIEE in China and your blog has really helped me see what it would be like! I visited China almost five years ago before college and loved it! I have been looking for a program like CIEE off and on for awhile. I am considering applying for the August admissions, and hopefully at a primary school, in either China or South Korea now that I have graduated with my education degree.
Just wanted to say I am glad I stumbled upon your blog and good luck with everything!
Jami Inholt
Beautiful pictures, looks like an ideal option for snowboard holidays.
Skiing is great exercise and easy to learn.
Brian Head