China Gets Fully Westernised' Ski Resort for 2012-13
There's no official word, not even a rumour, but it could be that China is the next new ski destination nation for UK tour operators like Crystal (who offered Sochi in Russia for the first time this season) as the country's first fully Westernized ski resort is signed over for use next season.
Changbaishan has had its lifts built by Austrian-based world leader Doppelmayr and has now been officially 'dual branded' by Starwood Hotels as The Westin Changbaishan Resort and Sheraton Changbaishan Resort and will begin taking paying guests this summer.
The new resort follows on from the re-development of China's leading ski area of Yabuli on the north east of the country which was 'rebranded' and largely taken over by Club Med in winter 2010-11.
The Changbai region is part of a nature reserve covering nearly half a million acres and known for its natural beauty. In the winter skiing and boarding is promised with ski-in/out access from the new hotels on unspoilt trails through pine forests with ice skating and ice fishing also on offer.
It's not clear yet how much up-market Sheraton and slightly-more-up-market Westin will be making of The Changbai ski area's location right on the border with North Korea.
Their press release merely states that, "The highly anticipated resort complex will lengthen Starwood's lead as the largest international luxury and upper upscale hotel operator in China."
"China is both our fastest growing global market and our richest source of loyal travellers, and we expect that this dual-branded Starwood resort development will resonate with Chinese travellers who stick with the brands they know and love," said Stephen Ho, Starwood's Senior Vice President of Development for Asia Pacific.
The new resort will be easy to reach from within China located close to the Yingfu Expressway and just six miles to Changbaishan Airport (NBS).