DuoLeMeiDi - A more fun and beautiful place

On a scale from 0 to 20 (0 = the ski mound in Chaoyang park, 10 = Nanshan)
DuoLeMeiDi is a 13 – maybe someday it’ll be a dragon slayer.

You gotta love the literal translation of the name and there are certainly reasons to support the claim. The high speed Leitner lift covers 1400 meters in less than 5 minutes; barely enough time to catch your breath from the previous run. Getting equipment - a chore at most places - is easy, pleasant even. The sound system and music quality beats any other Beijing resort and though not official policy, they have been known to let you hook up your iPod. The lodge is small and cozy, right near the action with good views of both the snowboard park and the advanced hill. It’s pleasant to sit with a cocoa or beer soaking up the music and sun, watching the slopes or people’s dogs frolicking about. If the place is busy the charm disappears and the joke going around is to change the tones on “DuoLeMeiDi” so that the translation becomes “when it’s crowded there are no seats”.

The majority of runs are upper-level-intermediate, a perfect next step up from Nanshan and challenging enough to keep most advanced skiers happy. The two mogul runs listed on the map turned out to be false advertising with not a mogul in sight, at least during my visit. The woods run is more of a do-it-yourself thing, with no set trail that I could see. You’ll often find powder here protected from the wind, but the trees are thick so you can’t hit it with any speed (unless you’re a world class skier or crazy). For a birch forest run with a nice gradual slope, follow directly underneath the lift and watch for the change from pine to birch and pop in anywhere. I tagged along with some instructors doing a pine run: Just off the lift on the left side of Bologna, side step up above the trees. It is flat for a while then watch for various trails into the forest. This is thick! Helmet, face mask and goggles essential. Probably too thick for downhill but would be absolutely great for some cross country ski trails.

The wind is stiff and unrelenting, especially at the top where they have built wind-breaks at the expense of the view. Consider yourself lucky if you have a wind-free visit. Some other annoyances are lots of small rocks in the snow especially near the wind breaks.

The old SaiBei Resort is a mere 5 minute away. Since it depends on natural snow it is seldom open. I didn’t get to see the slopes -maybe they suck - but seems like installing a few snow makers and offering an hourly shuttle bus service would instantly increase the run count.

Prices: Weekend prices are 190 RMB/4hours for a lift ticket and 90 RMB/4hours “general” rental (they have better equipment at a higher price). Buy a full day or two days for discounts or go with a group and get a group discount. Substantial price increases on holidays.

Equipment: Laid out in an efficient circle with clothing first followed by lockers and changing rooms. There is a bench to sit down and try on boots. You select your own poles from a rack on the wall. No plastic cards to mess around with. Only Nordica skis and boots were offered. Mini-skis were also available.

Lodge: The first floor housed the equipment area. The upstairs lodge is small but cozy. For food you have a choice of two Chinese dishes (yes count em) and pizza - definitely go for the pizza. Barbeque outside. Hot chocolate was on the bitter side so bring your own mix if that‘s not to your taste.

Hotel: If you want to stay at a top end hotel you need to stay at the WanLong Double Dragon hotel. There are more rustic options in ChongLi, try the Hengtong Hotel if you’re not traveling with a group.

Lifts/Runs:
• One easy hill/Snowboard Park served by a conveyor belt lift and high speed disc lift.
• A 6-person, covered, high speed lift served one advanced run and two challenging intermediate runs.
• A high speed disc lift served three challenging intermediate runs.

Getting there and back: They have a shuttle bus for 130 RMB but it only operates if they have enough people to turn a profit. Leaves Beijing Friday at 7:00pm returning Sunday at 2:00. The best way to get there is with a group. See the groups section below for more options.

Night skiing: No.

Group Trips:
When looking for groups going to DuoLeMeiDi, also look at Wanlong trips as these often include sub groups going to DuoLeMeiDi.

360SnowTours – Mostly expat ski and snowboard tours goes some weekends. www.360snowtours.com or call 13718910872

China-Italy Chamber of Commerce – goes some weekends www.cameraitacina.com

Boardzone – Mostly Chinese snowboard club goes some weekends www.boardzone.cn

See my WanLong review for more group trips