Skiing Beyond Expectations: Exploring China’s Emerging Freeride Frontier

In the remote Altay Mountains of northwest China, skiing is still unfolding into its next chapter. Vast alpine terrain, long winter seasons, and dramatic vertical drops have begun to attract international freeriders seeking experiences beyond established resort systems. Among them is Tao Kreibich, an Austrian professional skier and filmmaker who recently documented his journey through the region.

Altay is not yet a conventional ski destination. While its snow quality and terrain rival many well-known alpine regions with vertical descents exceeding 1,000 meters the supporting infrastructure remains in an early stage of development. Resort operations are relatively new, regulations around off-piste skiing are still evolving, and formal safety systems such as avalanche forecasting and standardized backcountry guidelines are limited. As a result, riders navigating beyond resort boundaries rely heavily on personal experience, local knowledge, and situational judgment.

Accessing the region itself is part of the adventure. Located in China’s far northwest, Altay lies a considerable distance from major urban centers. Reaching mountain villages such as Hemu known for its wooden houses and secluded alpine atmosphere often requires extended travel through mountainous terrain, with fewer services than those found in mature ski destinations. Once there, skiers encounter an emerging local freeride scene that is still defining its identity.

China’s winter sports industry has expanded rapidly following the 2022 Winter Olympics, with continued investment in ski resorts, infrastructure, and talent development nationwide. The Altay region, which also carries a documented skiing heritage dating back thousands of years, is increasingly viewed as a key area for high-alpine and freeride potential. However, compared with Europe or North America, backcountry skiing here remains largely unexplored and less regulated.

As more professional athletes and content creators venture into the region, their experiences highlight both opportunity and responsibility. The scale and quality of the terrain suggest strong long-term potential, while the current lack of formal safety frameworks underscores the importance of education in avalanche awareness, rescue techniques, and risk management especially as freeride participation grows.

For skiers willing to travel off the beaten path, Altay offers something rare: expansive untouched lines, a developing ski culture, and the sense of witnessing a freeride destination at the very beginning of its evolution. With increasing international attention, northwest China may soon take its place on the global freeride map carefully, and step by step.

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Skiing in China isn’t what you think”: here’s what pro skier Tao Kreibich discovered