Slide the Slippery Slope to Winter Thrills!

s any regular skier would confirm, hur tling down a snow-covered mountainside or man-made ski run at the speed of a car makes huge demands on body and mind. Skiers need to be physically fit, ideally with a good pair of lungs, and have the concentration level of a cat stalking a mouse.

As one enthusiast says, when all about you is blindingly white, it is easy to be lulled into almost hypnotic state as you whizz along, and fail to react to boulders and other obstructions half-buried in the snow. Strong legs and a fine sense of balance are equally necessary, and determination to stay upright whatever your speed and the type of terrain.

But when you have mastered the nursery training slopes and are ready for full-scale ski-runs such as these, you will almost certainly become addicted to what enthusiasts call man's most exhilarating and graceful sport, and aim to improve your abilities even further by tackling very demanding slopes both overseas and in China, including in and around Beijing as well as at "China's best"-the famous Yabuli Ski Center, 195km east of Harbin in Heilongjiang Province.

For now, with Winter upon us and if you are keen to learn skiing, we highlight four reputable, easily accessible resorts that offer both rented ski attire and equipment and whose skilled instructors will give you an excellent introduction to the sport.

Nanshan Ski Village
Located in the Nanshan area of Sheng-shui-tou Village, He-nan-zhai, in southern Miyun County, the Beijing Nanshan Ski Village is 60km from downtown Beijing's Sanyuanqiao area. Covering more than 4,000 mu, the ski village is also the home of all-year-round activities such as water- and grass-skiing, and gliding.

During the skiing season, three types of slope are available: advanced (length 1,500m, width 20m); intermediate (500m, 25m) and beginners� (300m, 80m). Under international regulations, the beginners� slope is marked green, intermediate blue, and advanced black. Skiers should never venture onto a slope inappropriate to their skill level.

Because of its closeness to the capital the ski center, which has 30 instructors, attracts more tourists than any other resort in northern China, even though its snow is artificial. But its firmness and other attributes, created by sophisticated German snow-making machines, more than match natural snow and provide ideal skiing conditions.

Most of the village's other equipment is from Austria, and its fleet of snowmobiles from Canada. The village also boasts China's first snowboarders� half-pipe of international standard. Getting there: By car, Beijing Nanshan Ski Village can be reached in about one hour on the Jingmi Highway. Buses to the village are from Beijing Dongzhimen Long Distance Bus Station. Skiing season: December 22 to March, 2002.
Admission: 50-320 yuan. A 20-visits coupon during the skiing season costs 1,800 yuan. All prices include ski rental and slope lift charges. There is a 40 percent discount on separate lift tickets.
Website: http://www.nanshanski.com or telephone Beijing 8428-6688, or Miyun 8909-1909.

Beijing Huaibei International Ski Resort
This resort, part of the official natural scenic spot of Jiugu Kou, is the largest skiing center within Beijing District. It is located 18km North of Huairou County (5km beyond Yanxi Lake), close to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Much of the resort's appeal is due to its ski runs, which total more than 3,100m in length and have a drop in elevation of 238m.

There are two advanced-level ski runs; one intermediate; and three beginners�. Thus they meet the needs of skiers at all levels of experience. The resort also has a 1,200m-long sightseeing cable-way, three ski-tows and multi-purpose buildings serving as hotels, a ski store, restaurants, other living accommodation and entertainment areas. Visitors, it is claimed, can never feel bored here.
Getting there: Car and public buses are equally convenient for the 67m journey from downtown Beijing. Alternative services are from Dongzhimen Long Distance Bus Station. Number 916 goes to Huairou, where you can transfer to a mini-bus for a direct ride to the resort. Bus 936 (Beijing-Fengning) takes you direct to the location.
Skiing season: mid-December to early March, 2002. Admission: 60-370 yuan, which includes ski rental and ski-lift tickets. Website: http://www.huaibei-intski.com or telephone Beijing 6237-3854, or Huairou 6966-1177.

Beijing Shijinglong Skiing Resort
This resort is ideally located in the national environmental-model zone of Yanqing, Beijing's imperial summer palace and some 80km from the city center. Shijinglong claims to be the largest and best-equipped skiing resort in Beijing District, its total area being around 500 mu-in effect a huge open area nestling below an undulating mountain range.

At the resort's eastern end is Longqing Gorge, while the western aspect boasts Guanting Lake. To the North are the mountains, and South the majestic Gui Mountain. Visitors call the area a graceful place due to its delightful scenery and general environment, especially its truly fresh air.

The snow here is mainly artificial, softish but still impacted enough for good skiing. Getting to the top of the slopes is by a single two-seat cable car or four "drag" cables. All are in continuous operation, so skiers do not have to queue.

Three ski runs are available. The high-grade circular run is 1,000m in length and 20-40m in width. Vertical height is 135m. Stretching 450m is the medium grade-one slope, which has a width of 80m and a slope of 12-30 degrees. The low-grade run is 800m in length and 150-180m in width. Its slope is just four degrees.

These runs are said to fully meet the requirements of skiing enthusiasts with different skill levels. As a diversion, visitors can try their hand at snow-field motorcycling and other fun pursuits.
Getting there: With Beijing's Madian Bridge as your starting point, you can drive to Yanqing County on the Badaling Highway. The resort is one kilometer West of Huangbai Temple, situated in the Longqing Gorge section of the 110 National Road. By bus, take the air-conditioned No. 919 from Deshengmen, transfer to a No. 920 at Yanqing Bus Station, and it will take you within 500m of the resort.
Skiing season: mid-December to end of March, 2002.
Admission: 90-400 yuan ( including ski rental and lift tickets).
Website http:// www.skiingbeijing.com or call 6919-1617.

Beijing Snow World Entertainment Center
Also with artificial snow and thus guaranteeing skiing on 270 days each year, this 500,000sq.m center is located near the Ming Tombs in Changping District, some 36km North of Third Ring Road. Top-class ski equipment from the United States and Canada can be bought or rented. Training sessions are run by professionals.

The two ski slopes, with lifts and illuminated at night, are for intermediate and advanced skiers. Visitors can also enjoy ski-bobs, horse-drawn sledges and dog-drawn sleighs.
Getting there: If driving, take Badaling Highway's exit 13B, and from Xiguanhuandao drive 5km North before taking a sign-posted left turn for the final 800m to the center. A large car park is available. By bus, No. 345 from Deishengmen takes you to the China University of Political Science & Law, where you transfer to a mini-bus for the center. Or you can take No. 919 from Xiguanhuandao, Changping District, and also transfer to mini-bus No.3 for the final leg to Snow World.
Skiing season: mid-December to end of March, 2002.
Admission: 80-320 yuan ( including ski rental and lift tickets).
Website http:// www.xueshijie.com or telephone 6708-3218; 8976-1886.