Skiing is officially in season and in China, that means knowing your resorts. The statistics aren't in yet, but seasoned skiers will tell you China's skiing options are improving exponentially.

"When I first went to in 1992, there was no resort as such," explains frequent skier Alec Shen. "It was actually a national training base. They had equipment they could lend to us very cheap, but you could forget about any lessons."

Shen has been visiting Yabuli since '92 and tells a typical story. "When we first went, I knew nothing about skiing. We just visited the base and played with skis on the road as in the northeast, everything is snow. "By 1994, the first trails emerged and in 1995 they started offering instructors. "Last year, there was a hotel with proper trails. The guest rooms were so full I had to sleep with 20 others in a committee room."

Here's your options:

Xiangshan Ski Resort

Beijingers can enjoy the fun of skiing without traveling north. Fragrant Hills (Xiangshan), offers skiing opportunities 9am to 9pm.

Price: Skiing 99 yuan/person children's sleigh 39 yuan/person. There is no time limits except official festivals when people hire equipment for 90 minutes.

Yabuli:

The 1996 Asian Winter Games were held at Yabuli, 200 kilometers east of Harbin. The resort is a joint-venture between China and the United States. There are 15 slopes for skiers of all abilities. There is also a special site designed for children. Shops for renting skiing equipment, bars and restaurants, a shopping mall, and medical center are available.

Price: 130-140 yuan/2 hours.

How to get there: Take train 17 at 7:30am or 18 at 6:30am from Beijing to arrive at Harbin the next morning. Take a bus to Yabuli.

Longzhu Ski Resort

Roughly 60 kilometers east of Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province, Longzhu Ski Resort in Erlongshan Mountain can handle 800 visitors boarding, 1,000 dining and 2,000 skiing.

The resort has prepared 12,000 square meter of slopes for beginners, longer and smoother than those at the Yabuli Ski Resort. Other entertainment includes rock climbing and cable sliding.

Price: A three-day package tour including a one-day trip to Harbin and two days in Longzhu costs around 1,000 yuan (US $120).

How to get there: Take train 17 at 7:30am, or 18 at 6:30am from Beijing Railway Station. Shuttle buses take 40 minutes from Harbin to Longzhu.

For further information, call 86 - (0) 10 + 8521 9691/2/3 or 5166 1575.

Saibei Ski Resort

The largest in North China, Saibei's slopes are as long as 7,000 meters, and accommodate 1,000 skiers. Professional instructors are available. Sleighs drawn by horses and motorcycles are popular sidelines.

Price: Two-day trip, setting out Saturday, 388 yuan/person.

For further information, call 86 - (0) 10 + 8521 9691/2/3 or 5166 1575.

Mulan Ski Resort

As part of the Sainaba scenic spot in Hebei Province, Mulan used to be the hunting ground of the emperors. In summer, it is a good place to escape from the heatwave, but in winter, it's snow central. The 4,000-meter-long slopes can handle 500. Sleighs and jetskis are available.

For further information, call 86 - (0) 10 + 8521 9691/2/3 or 5166 1575.

Icy Spring Festival

China Travel Service organizes a six-day package trip during the Spring Festival that includes Shenyang, Jingyuetan and Harbin. People can savor ice sculptures, ice lamps and snow activities. The trip will start out from Beijing on February 6.

Price: 2650 yuan is needed for each person.

For further information, call 86 - (0) 10 + 8521 9691/2/3 or 5166 1575.

Snow Festival

Harbin provides visitors with an exhibition of ice sculptures. It's a good time to go to Harbin and enjoy "Snow World" activities. The "Snow World" is divided into four parts: Happiness Square, Sound of the Century, Adventure Trip and Cartoon World.

Price: Three-day package trip, 1,380 yuan per person.

For further information, call 86 - (0) 10 + 8521 9691/2/3 or 5166 1575.