While the Alps are either winding down or yet to get going, imagine standing at the top of a 4.5 km-long run in Keketuohai – tucked away in Northwest China, Xinjiang, in the Altai Mountains. That rare thrill of stumbling upon somewhere nobody back home has heard of? You’ll find it in abundance in Keketuohai, quite possibly the most exciting ski destination English-speaking travellers have never considered. Snow falls here from October through to May – up to 240 days a year. The longest ski season in the whole of Asia!
Keketuohai sounds remote. And honestly, it is. But that’s precisely the point – this is skiing as it was always meant to be: unspoilt, expansive, and gloriously queue-free, set against a winter landscape so breathtaking it’ll genuinely stop you in your tracks.
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What is Keketuohai – and why has it stayed so under the radar?
The name translates as “Green Forest” in Kazakh and “Blue River Bend” in Mongolian. The region sits within the Altay Prefecture of Xinjiang, in the far northwest of China, nestled between the Russian and Mongolian borders. For most English-speaking travellers, it simply hasn’t been on the map – no billboard campaigns, no glossy magazine spreads, no friend who’s “been up there”.
And yet, Keketuohai has held UNESCO Global Geopark status since 2017 – a distinction well known among geologists and nature lovers worldwide. Travel journalists have even dubbed the region “China’s Yosemite”: dramatic granite formations, sweeping birch forests, and a deep, carved river canyon. In winter, all of it disappears beneath metres of snow. ?
Getting there: easier than you’d think
Here’s some brilliant news before we go any further: no visa required – travellers from the UK, Ireland, the US, Australia, and New Zealand can all enter China visa-free for up to 30 days:
- ?? British nationals: visa-free for up to 30 days, extended until end of 2026
- ?? Irish citizens: visa-free for up to 30 days, also until end of 2026
- ?? US citizens: visa-free for up to 30 days, also until end of 2026
- ?? Australian citizens: visa-free for up to 30 days, also until end of 2026
- ?? New Zealand citizens: visa-free for up to 30 days, also until end of 2026
You’ll just need a valid passport (with at least six months remaining) and proof of a return flight. For a long-haul adventure, it really doesn’t get much more straightforward than that.
The nearest airport is Fuyun Koktokay Airport, roughly 80 km from the ski resort. The transfer takes around two hours – but trust us, the drive through the snow-covered Altay landscape is your very first wow moment of the trip. Hotel coordinates for Google Maps: 47.211347, 89.86867.
Skiing & snowboarding: the numbers speak for themselves
This is where things get really exciting – because Keketuohai is no modest little provincial ski hill. This is China’s most impressive ski resort:
- ? 44 runs (26 for intermediate to advanced skiers) – currently 23 groomed, with a total of 61 km of pistes
- ⛰️ Summit at 3,100 m, valley at 1,900 m – a vertical drop of up to 1,350 m
- ? Run No. 1 is the longest ski run in China: 4.5 km end to end, 900 m vertical drop, 52 m wide
- ❄️ Snow depth: 300 to 450 cm – natural snow, light, dry, and utterly dreamy
- ? 3 high-speed gondolas whisk you to the top in no time
- ? Season: October to May – up to 240 days of snow, the longest season in all of Asia
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned expert, there’s something here for everyone. Freestyle enthusiasts will be thrilled by the terrain park, halfpipe, and mogul fields, while those after a gentler pace can enjoy cross-country skiing or a leisurely tree-ski through the pine forests. And here’s the cherry on top: the resort is currently being expanded to 80 runs and 121 km of pistes – meaning you’re visiting at the perfect moment, right at the start of something very special.
Off the slopes: there’s so much more to explore
Do make time for this, because Keketuohai has far more up its sleeve than just skiing:
Irtysh Grand Canyon
The Irtysh Grand Canyon stretches for around 100 km and is flanked by 108 granite peaks – in winter, it becomes an almost otherworldly snowscape that has to be seen to be believed. Frost-laden birch and pine trees lining the canyon edges make for an absolutely stunning photo opportunity. ?
The No. 3 Mine – history up close
The ultimate off-piste secret: the No. 3 Mine, a vast hat-shaped open-cast pit sitting right in the heart of the Geopark. At 201 m deep and home to 84 rare minerals – including lithium, beryllium, and tantalum – this mine was the backbone of China’s raw materials supply during the Cold War, at one point providing 70% of all Chinese rare earth resources. Today, it’s a fascinating open-air museum. Absolutely unmissable.
Kazakh culture & yurts
The Altay region has deep Kazakh roots – and you’ll feel it from the moment you arrive. In the villages surrounding Keketuohai, Kazakh communities carry on age-old nomadic traditions. If you get the chance to visit a traditional Kazakh village, don’t think twice. Horses, yurts, and a warmth of hospitality that makes the world feel that little bit bigger.
Food & drink: Xinjiang on a plate ☕️
The cuisine of Xinjiang is a full-on sensory adventure – vibrant, spiced, and wonderfully hearty. The hotel restaurant serves Chinese and international dishes with mountain views, but if you’re feeling culinarily adventurous, these local classics are an absolute must:
- ? Big Plate Chicken (DaPanJi): Xinjiang’s signature dish – chicken in a rich, deeply spiced red sauce with flat noodles and potatoes. Warming, filling, and completely unforgettable.
- ? Lamb Kebabs (Kawap): Cumin-spiced lamb skewers straight off the grill – the smell alone is an event in itself.
- ? Laghman: Hand-pulled noodles in a rich meat and vegetable sauce – the perfect après-ski comfort food.
- ? Naan & Samsa: Freshly baked flatbread and baked pastries filled with lamb – brilliant for a mid-slope snack.
Feeling brave? Give Kumis a go – the traditional fermented mare’s milk drink of the Kazakh people. I tried it in Kyrgyzstan once, and let’s just say: you need to experience it for yourself before you can truly have an opinion on it ?
Where to stay: TUI BLUE Keketuohai Sanbaisuo
The real gem of the TUI BLUE Keketuohai Sanbaisuo is that you’re not staying in a conventional hotel block – you have your own private villa, one of 59 villas nestled picturesquely into the winter landscape. Each villa comes with:
- 45 m² of living space with mountain views straight onto the piste
- King-size bed (2×2 m) or twin beds, plus a pillow menu – because proper rest after a long day on the slopes really does matter
- Glass-walled bathroom – imagine your morning shower with a snowy mountain view
- Dressing gown, slippers, Wi-Fi, heating, and air conditioning
- Daily housekeeping service
The hotel sits right on the ski resort’s doorstep – no early-morning transfers, no struggling into ski boots in a car park. Just boots on, door open, and straight onto the piste.
My top tips for planning your trip
- ? Best time to visit: November to March for peak season, with March/April being a brilliant insider tip – back home the season is winding down, but here everything is still in full swing
- ?️ Temperatures: Expect –15 to –25 °C – wrap up properly!
- ? Clothing: Layering is essential – merino wool next to the skin, fleece as a mid-layer, waterproof ski jacket on top. And please, invest in quality gloves – this is not the place to cut corners
- ? Hand warmers are a must – and crucially, one for your phone too. Smartphones are not fans of –20 °C
- ? Store your camera in an airtight bag when coming indoors to protect it from condensation damage
- ? No visa needed for British, Irish, American, Australian and New Zealand passport holders – up to 30 days visa-free (extended until end of 2026). Just a valid passport with at least six months remaining and proof of a return flight.
Photo spots not to be missed ?
- Gondola at 3,100 m: The panoramic views across the Altay range are simply breathtaking
- Irtysh Grand Canyon with its 108 granite peaks: Best light in the early morning
- White Birch Woods: 1.5 km² of pure winter romance
- No. 3 Mine in the snow: Industrial history meets natural scenery – a shot no stock library could ever replicate
- Keketuohai Town in winter: The village looks as though it’s been lifted straight from a classical Chinese winter painting
- Kazakh yurts at dusk: Golden light, white snow – pure magic
Tempted? Pack your bags and go. ?
Keketuohai isn’t the sort of place you’ll find in every travel brochure. And that’s precisely what makes it so special. Book now and you’ll still be ahead of the curve – before this hidden gem is a secret no more. The TUI BLUE Keketuohai Sanbaisuo offers the perfect base: European-standard comfort, your own private villa, and direct piste access – right in the heart of one of the world’s most spectacular winter destinations.