China Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: What We Know So Far

Where things stand

No Chinese ski resort had published a 2026-27 opening date when we checked on 20 October 2026. The clearest signs come from Altay in Xinjiang: Koktokay started snowmaking on 7 October and Jikepulin at Hemu on 9 October, though both said opening depends on the weather. In Chongli, Wanlong is normally first.

We will update the opening dates page as resorts announce. Until then, last season is the best guide.

Last season's actual dates

Wanlong's 21 October 2025 opening was its earliest in 23 years, with five runs. Koktokay held a free trial on a 2 km area on 10 and 11 October before opening on the 12th, and ran a 199-day season. A closing date shown as n/a means we did not find a published one.

What to expect this year

If the pattern holds, expect Koktokay in mid-October, Wanlong in late October, most Chongli resorts and Yabuli in early November, Jilin in mid-November and the Beijing hills from late November to early December. Opening day usually means only a few runs. Full terrain, especially at snowmaking-dependent resorts in Chongli and Beijing, comes later, so mid-December is a safer start for a trip.

Weather can push dates either way. Last winter's warm spell also closed Harbin's Ice and Snow World early on 21 February 2026, a reminder that the end of the season is not guaranteed either.

Planning around the calendar

New Year (1 to 3 January) and the Spring Festival are the busiest periods. Chinese New Year falls on 6 February 2027, and the official holiday dates are usually published late in the previous year. In Altay, the local school snow holiday runs 16 to 18 December 2026.

If you are booking flights now, also note that 30-day visa-free entry for many passports runs to 31 December 2026, and a renewal for 2027 had not been announced on 20 October. See China travel essentials.