Keketuohai: The First Ski Resort to Open Each Season in China
Every October, while ski resorts across China are still testing their snow guns and watching the forecast, one mountain is already turning lifts: Keketuohai International Ski Resort in Fuyun County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang. For the 2026-2027 season it opened on October 20, once again the first major resort in the country to welcome skiers.
Why It Opens First
Keketuohai sits inside the Keketuohai National 5A Scenic Area, at elevations up to 3,100 meters. High altitude means early natural snowfall and reliably cold temperatures, so the resort can open weeks — sometimes more than a month — before resorts in North China. Its season runs roughly 240 days, and snow cover typically lasts more than seven months, meaning you can ski here for close to seventy percent of the year.
The Numbers That Matter
The resort offers a maximum vertical drop of 1,350 meters, with around 80 planned trails totaling about 121 kilometers. Skiers ride from the 1,900-meter base area up to 3,100 meters, enjoying long, uninterrupted runs with sweeping views over the Altay mountains.
Terrain Like Nowhere Else
Keketuohai is celebrated as one of the most terrain-rich resorts in China. Natural features include a natural U-shaped halfpipe channel, the wide-open Dabai Slope, tree runs, mogul fields and the Big and Little Wolf King chutes. It is also home to one of the steepest expert runs in the country — a black diamond with a 222-meter vertical and a maximum gradient above 70 percent.
Nine Reasons Skiers Love It
Local promoters sum the resort up in nine phrases: early season, long season, abundant snowfall, excellent snow quality, big vertical, many trails, light wind, comfortable feel and complete facilities. Light wind in particular matters at high altitude — cold but calm days make long summit laps genuinely pleasant.
Facilities and Getting There
The service hall at the base offers equipment rental, dining and rest areas in one stop. Most travelers fly to Urumqi or Altay Airport and continue by road; self-driving visitors enter via Talat Village and can park at the 1900 or 2200 lots. Because the scenic area stays open during ski season, the drive in is part of the experience.
Who Should Go
If you want first tracks of the season in October, steep natural terrain, or a spring-skiing trip as late as May, Keketuohai belongs on your list. Advanced skiers and freeriders will find the most to love; beginners can progress on the gentler mid-mountain trails with a guide or instructor.
Combine It With Chongli
Xinjiang is far from Beijing, so many international guests pair an Altay early-season trip with a Chongli resort holiday later in the winter. We can plan the whole journey — flights, transfers, hotels, bilingual coaching — from first snow to last. Send us an inquiry and we will design your China ski season around Keketuohai's calendar.
Plan Your Ski Trip to China
Ready to experience skiing in Chongli? Contact us for a personalized plan.
