An incredible sight, in the dry hills to the north of Anning District. We actually walked through the construction site a year ago, on an ill-advised short-cut during a long countryside walk. There was a precarious descent to what is now the beginner's slope, and then we had to walk ankle-deep in sand for several hundred metres, dodging huge earth-moving machinery.
Anyway, it opened two weeks ago, although it is still not quite finished. The advanced slope will open next week.
The instructors were trained in Heilongjiang, in northeast China, which has some long-established ski resorts. And for those with big feet, their boots go up to size 48.
Chinese: 兰州滑雪场 (Lánzhōu huáxuě chăng)
Getting there: Take bus #72 from 西站 (Xīzhàn) to the terminal 万里厂 (Wàn Lĭ Chăng), which is a few hundred metres to the north of 费家营 (Fèi Jiā Yíng). From there, you can call the ski centre, who will send a free minibus to pick you up.
Telephone: 0931-7604488
Costs:
Entrance: 10 yuan (which includes insurance)
Skiing/snowboarding: 80 yuan / 2 hours; 128 yuan / whole day
Rubber ring: 50 yuan
Children's play area: 50 yuan
Skiwear: 30 yuan
Snowmobile: 30 yuan / circuit
Lessons: Beginners, 1 person 60 yuan / hour, 2 ppl 80 yuan / hour, 3-5 people 120 yuan / hour, 6-10 ppl 150 yuan / hour; Advanced, 1 person 100 yuan / hour. 2 ppl 120 yuan / hour, 3-5 ppl 150 yuan / hour, 6-10 people 180 yuan / hour