Plan at a glance
Choose skiing and sightseeing separately
The ski area, sightseeing cable car and mountain slide at Sunshine Resort are separate experiences. Ski tickets are sold by run, duration and date. The sightseeing cable car and mountain slide are sold as sightseeing products; a ski ticket does not cover either activity.
Sunshine is one of the ski areas connected by the Three-Mountain network. You can ski across areas only if the ticket you buy explicitly includes Three-Mountain access, within the areas covered by that product. Single-area tickets and packages are still available, so check the applicable area, duration and runs open that day.
The ski season usually runs from mid-November to mid-March. Daytime cable-car operations are generally from 08:00 to 16:30, with no night skiing. Wind, snow conditions and equipment maintenance can affect operations; the mountain slide is especially likely to close because of weather or maintenance.
Prices and time to allow
Reservations are usually not required for skiing. A four-hour intermediate/advanced ticket is about CNY 370–440 and includes ski equipment, but not ski clothing or a helmet. A beginner ticket for the magic-carpet area at the base is about CNY 100–200. Prices vary by date and booking platform; check which runs and rental items are included before buying.
A cable-car round trip for mountain views takes about one hour. Allow three to four hours for skiing. Taking the cable car up, spending time at the summit and riding the mountain slide down takes about 1.5–2 hours, provided the mountain slide is open and suitable for everyone in your group.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
A cable car, Happiness Avenue and the B cable car runs
The red A cable car runs from the base to the summit of Sanguokui Mountain, with views over the Yabuli range and forest. “Sanguokui” here is the name of a mountain in the Sunshine ski area; it is a different place from Guokui Mountain Scenic Area. The summit viewing platform has wide views, and the nearby Muyunlou Hotel sits at an elevation of 996.8 meters.
Happiness Avenue (A1) is Sunshine's signature long intermediate run. It suits skiers who can control their speed and turns reliably; you can take the A cable car up and ski down. The B cable car serves several intermediate runs with varied routes, suited to skiers with experience who want to practice on different terrain.
Practice at the base or take in the views without skiing
The magic-carpet area at the base offers beginner skiing, but queues can be long on weekends and people of different skill levels may share the area. Beginners should start in the beginner zone or take a lesson. A8 and other beginner runs can provide practice higher up, subject to that day's operations.
You can take the sightseeing cable car for mountain views without skiing. The mountain slide is a separate downhill activity; if you do not want a fast ride, take the cable car back down. On a clear day, you can wait at the summit platform for sunset light after about 15:30; sunset time varies by season.
For beginner practice and the Y5 run at the connected ski area, see New Sports Committee ski area.
For the wider resort plan beyond Sunshine's ski area, see Yabuli Ski Tourism Resort.
Build your day
A one-hour summit visit
Take the A cable car from the sightseeing entrance at the resort, spend time at the viewing platform and return by cable car, allowing about one hour. For a short ski session, stay in the children's snow-play area or beginner magic-carpet zone at the base and choose the corresponding beginner ticket.
A three- to four-hour ski or sightseeing visit
For beginner and intermediate practice, enter through the ski rental hall and take the A cable car to the A8 area halfway up the mountain. Intermediate and advanced skiers can take the A cable car to the summit, ski Happiness Avenue (A1) to the mid-mountain area, then take the B cable car to try runs in the B area or continue down to the base. Allow about three to four hours. Return to the base and leave via the ski rental hall.
For sightseeing without skiing, take the cable car both ways or stay at the summit and ride the mountain slide down; the latter takes about 1.5–2 hours. The mountain slide may close because of weather or maintenance, so check before setting out. If it is closed, take the cable car down.
Get there
Transfers from Yabuli West Station
Take a high-speed train from Harbin Station or Harbin West Station to Yabuli West Station; the trip takes about 1–1.5 hours. From the station, you can take the ski-resort shuttle bus, for about CNY 6, or a taxi for about CNY 60–80 per ride. Schedules and fares depend on that day's arrangements.
Navigation and driving
Set your navigation destination to “Yabuli Sunshine Resort” or “Sunshine Resort Ski Area A Cable Car.” The entrance and ski rental hall are inside the resort. Driving from Harbin takes about three hours. The resort has a large free car park; follow signs to the entrance for skiing or sightseeing.
Know before you go
Check the prices of each product
A package combining the sightseeing cable car and mountain slide is currently listed at around CNY 120–180 through online or local channels, and about CNY 280 at the ticket office. Children under 1.2 meters are usually admitted free and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Check which activities the package includes. A ski ticket does not include the sightseeing cable car or mountain slide.
Check ski packages for the runs, duration, equipment, ski clothing and helmet included. The magic-carpet area can be busy on weekends. Ski-rental shops in nearby Qingyun Town are another option to compare. Arrange lessons in advance and agree on their duration and content.
Wind, snow and mountain-slide safety
Yabuli can be windy and feel very cold; wind can also contribute to icy runs. Check the forecast and wear warm, windproof clothing. Beginners should stay in the beginner practice area and avoid runs beyond their ability, even with Three-Mountain access.
The slide cart is controlled with a hand brake. Collisions from behind or into the person ahead can cause injuries. Check the brake before starting and follow staff instructions. If you begin to catch up with the cart ahead, slow down and leave plenty of space. Older adults, children, and anyone with limited balance or coordination or who is uncomfortable with speed should take the cable car both ways.
Food at the summit and in the ski area can be expensive; check the menu before ordering. There are local farm-style restaurants in Qingyun Town at the base. Sunset views from the summit depend on season and weather; on a clear day, 15:30 is only a rough time to start waiting for sunset light.