Indoor Skiing in Shanghai

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melbmarco

Seeker

Joined: July 14, 2004
Posts: 43

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Posted: Sep 15, 2004 - 11:53 PM
Post subject: Indoor Skiing in Shanghai

Hey all,

Has anyone here tried the indoor skiing place in Shanghai? I am missing out on an aussie winter whilst here and need to get my ski fix - even if it is fake snow and indoors!

I was wondering if people could tell me what it is like, rough cost, when is the best time of the week/day to go and most of all - is it fun?? I realise nothing beats the real thing but i have seen it on the web and it looks pretty cool.

Thanks all. Ciao.

jenming

FooJay

Joined: Dec 20, 2002
Posts: 1675
Location: Right where you wanna be
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Posted: Sep 16, 2004 - 07:58 AM

(disclaimer: I haven't gone in a year or so, so some of this info may be outdated)

it's not bad. There are problems, though. Obviously,people around here have no idea what they're doing. (for many of them, artificial snow is the only snow they've ever touched), so they have no idea of the dangers of getting in other people's way. Shoot, people have enough trouble getting out of the way of CARS, and the same applies in there. You GOTTA be careful.

The biggest problem, though, (when I went) is that there are three levels beginner, medium, a little harder than medium. BUT, the lift only takes you to the top of the beginner area. so if you're interested in going faster than a few km/h, you have to hike up the hill repeatedly to do so. This would be ok, if you weren't being *timed*. They charge by time, and it's annoying to have to spend a large fraction of your paid time hiking up a hill, know what I mean?

That said, if you really need a fix, it will probably tide you over for a little while...

cornsey1011

Wonder Wit

Joined: Mar 23, 2003
Posts: 3781
Location: Shanghai...looking for a new abode
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Posted: Sep 16, 2004 - 12:15 PM

Its a good fix actually.

It won't have you missing the mountains back home or anything but it may spark some interest in taking a trip to Japan for some skiiing this winter.

The hill is long for an indoor hill. I believe everything is run and set up by a Japanese company so you are actually well taken care of despite it being in China. If I recall correctly it was 100kuai for an hour or two hours...which was more than enough as it is kind of boring after a few runs.

As Jenming stated you have to walk to the top of the hill as the conveyor belt only goes half way. It is also rather dangerous with all the inexperienced skiers there. None of them seemed to know how to stop or turn....which for an intermediate skier like myself I actually can see how it is difficult in the fake ice-snow stuff.

So you get a lot of heros trying to bolt down the hill and then they realize they don't know what they are doing and seem to figured out that the face plant is the quickest way to stop...or they crash into others.

All in all I was laughing the whole day and had a great time. It felt great to have a pair of skis on and feel some cool air.

All your clothing was supplied in the cost...even gloves.

I haven't been back since that first time but mainly because it is so far away from where I am living. It is worth a trip out....I mean....what else are you going to do with your time.

melbmarco

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Joined: July 14, 2004
Posts: 43

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Posted: Sep 16, 2004 - 05:09 PM

that is great info all! I had to laugh about the lift only going half-way......such a chinese concept.....

Ranter

Joined: May 14, 2003
Posts: 559

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Posted: Sep 17, 2004 - 10:15 AM

hehe... went there the first and the last time, though might had been too late on a day as the snow was not really a snow but smashed blend of ice and water.

I think the best time to get down there would be early morning when the surface is still hard. With my weight, I was making considerable furrow behind me challenging the chinese crowd on the slope going sideways to perform their jump and fall exercises.

Its worth 120 rmb called for 90 minute session. Good exercise as crawling uphill with ski boots on took my breath. Will save the struggle and get up to Harbin this winter as I heard they are developing some resorts there.