Qinggil County sits in far northern Altay, a stone’s throw from Mongolia. I spent a week there in February. Here is what winter actually looks like, how to reach it, and where the nearest real skiing is.
Ski mountaineering races are growing fast in Xinjiang. Here is what skimo racing is, where it happens, and how a resort skier can try it.
A drone turns a ski trip into cinema. Here are the rules, the cold-weather fixes, and the shots that make Xinjiang look like it should.
Late season in Xinjiang is festival season. Here are the spring events worth planning around, and how to enjoy slush without wrecking your skis.
Nothing fixes cold legs like a soak. Here are the hot springs worth pairing with a Xinjiang ski day, from forest baths to resort spas.
A rental car unlocks Xinjiang’s ski towns on your schedule. Here is the paperwork, the winter-driving reality, and the mistakes to avoid.
A night in a Uyghur courtyard homestay beats a chain hotel for culture and warmth. Here is what to expect and how to be a good guest.
You can ski Xinjiang cheap if you sleep cheap. Here are the hostel and bunk options near the main resorts, and what to expect.
Moguls scare a lot of resort skiers. Here is the absorption and line drill that turned bumps from a fright into a favourite run.
Xinjiang’s snow is dry and deep. Here is how to pick a powder ski that will not fight you, without wasting money on the wrong shape.