Beidahu, a little over 50 km from Jilin City, is one of China's biggest ski areas: 74 runs, around 875 m vertical, and on the Ikon Pass for 2026-27.
Beidahu sits a little over 50 km from Jilin City in China's cold northeast, and it is one of the country's biggest ski areas. The summit reaches about 1,405 m above a base at about 530 m, giving roughly 875 m of vertical. The 2007 Asian Winter Games held their alpine skiing, freestyle, snowboard and biathlon events here, and the resort has kept growing since.
The mountain spreads across several faces, with beginner terrain on the lower slopes, long intermediate runs through the middle and steeper advanced runs higher up. The cold, dry northeastern climate keeps the snow cold through the heart of the season, and 74 runs over about 80 km of piste give you enough variety for a full week. A Club Med sits at the base and sells all-inclusive stays.
If you are weighing Beidahu against the other Jilin resorts, our Skiing in Jilin comparison covers all three side by side.
Beidahu has 74 runs over about 80 km, served by 13 lifts, and about 275 ha of skiable terrain. The terrain breakdown is roughly 36% beginner, 41% intermediate and 23% advanced. The longest run, H18 Nanlou Avenue, is 4,264 m, one of the longest in China, and it is graded beginner-to-intermediate, so it is a long cruise rather than a test piece.
Intermediates have plenty of long groomers: H10 Zhuifeng Avenue runs about 3 km and H6 Gangliang about 2.3 km, both graded intermediate. Advanced skiers will find the steeper pitches on runs graded advanced, such as Lingyun Avenue, D5 Kunlun Avenue and D12. Beginners should plan a half day with a lesson on the learning slopes before moving to longer green runs such as Xingguang Avenue or D15 Xiaoyao Avenue. Stay on marked, open runs; we do not recommend skiing off-piste or in closed areas without a qualified local guide.
| Level | Share | Example runs |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | ~36% | Learning area, Xingguang Avenue, D15 Xiaoyao, H18 Nanlou (beginner-intermediate) |
| Intermediate | ~41% | H10 Zhuifeng, H6 Gangliang, Yangguang Avenue |
| Advanced | ~23% | Lingyun Avenue, D5 Kunlun, D12 |
Ikon announced in September 2026 that Beidahu joins the Ikon Pass for the 2026-27 season, alongside Lake Songhua. Holders of the full Ikon Pass get 7 days at Beidahu and Ikon Base Pass holders get 5, with no blackout dates. Confirm the details on Ikon's site before you travel, as pass terms can change from season to season.
Single-day lift ticket prices for 2026-27 were not published in the data we could verify, so treat anything quoted online as an estimate. Buy through the resort's official channels or via Trip.com, and bring your passport for real-name booking and ticket collection. Multi-day tickets are usually cheaper per day than buying single days.
Booking options to keep in mind:
Fly into Changchun Longjia International Airport (CGQ) and continue by road. In 2025-26 a seasonal airport bus ran from Changchun Longjia to Beidahu, taking about two hours for 80 yuan. Whether and when it runs in 2026-27 had not been announced when we checked in October 2026, so confirm the route, dates and ticketing before you fly; your hotel can usually tell you the current arrangements.
High-speed trains connect Beijing with Changchun and Jilin City; check 12306 for current times, then continue by road. A taxi or private transfer from the airport or from Jilin City costs more than the bus but runs on your schedule. Winter tyres are effectively required on the roads to Beidahu, and you need a Chinese driving licence to drive in China, because International Driving Permits are not recognised.
Three options, in order of how foreign visitors usually choose them:
| Option | Access | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Club Med Beidahu (at the base) | At the lifts | First-timers, families, anyone who wants everything bundled |
| Other hotels and lodging at the base | At or near the lifts | Couples, groups of friends |
| Jilin City hotels | A little over 50 km by road | Travellers who want city food, the rime ice or a cheaper room |
Club Med Beidahu is the easiest choice if you want English-speaking instructors, childcare, lift passes and meals in one package; Club Med's China resorts employ international instructors. Other lodging at the base changes from season to season, so check current names on the official site before you book. Jilin City is a sensible option if you want city restaurants and the rime ice, but you will need a daily transfer to the mountain.
Jilin City's average January low is about -20.8°C, and the mountain is colder. See our cold-weather guide for layering and face protection. Two practical notes for Beidahu: lift queues feel colder than the runs, so a thin down layer under your shell helps; and long chairlift and gondola rides to the top are exposed, so goggles (not sunglasses) and a face mask make a real difference.
Many visitors add a morning in Jilin City for the rime ice along the Songhua River. In January and February, vapour from the unfrozen river below the Fengman dam freezes onto the riverside trees overnight. Go early in the morning, when the frost is at its best, then head up to the mountain. Our Jilin skiing overview covers this region more broadly.
For more about Beidahu itself, see the resort page.
Jilin Province is outside the areas covered by the 240-hour visa-free transit scheme, so use unilateral visa-free entry if your passport qualifies (China's current list runs until 31 December 2026) or get a visa before you fly. WeChat Pay and Alipay both accept foreign cards; WeChat Pay charges 3% on foreign-card payments over 200 yuan. For setup, see our China travel essentials and apps for foreign skiers pages.
Is Beidahu good for beginners? Yes. About 36% of the terrain is beginner, there is a learning area on the lower mountain, and Club Med runs lessons with international instructors.
How far is it from Jilin City? A little over 50 km by road. In 2025-26 a seasonal bus also ran from Changchun Longjia airport in about two hours.
Can I use my Ikon Pass? Yes, from 2026-27: 7 days on the full Ikon Pass and 5 on the Ikon Base Pass, with no blackout dates. Check Ikon's site before you go.
How cold does it get? Jilin City's average January low is about -20.8°C, and the mountain is colder. Plan serious layers.