Public Zone 公開區 > Travelogues 遊記相薄
Club Med Yabuli (Dec-2011)
chin:
One of the interesting attraction right outside the ski lift is this sled pulling big dog. He's very friendly, and accompanied by another sled pulling horse. In the morning, the horse would be pulling the driver and the dog to the front of the ski lift, waiting for customers.
The driver would take tourists around for RMB100 per head. He's paid by Club Med for RMB3,000 per month, plus tips. But he has to provide the horse, dog, and the sleds. For him, this is already a very good deal, as otherwise he has to compete with other horse sled drivers in the Yabuli town.
chin:
Near the ski lift is where the beginner's classes are held. One of the good things about going with Club Med is that ski or snowboard classes for different level are arranged and offered daily. Every night around dinner time, guests can sign up for the classes for the next day. I did not take any class and just freely ski on my own, so I don't know how good the classes are, but from the feedback of the kids, they like most of the classes.
The Club Med instructors are the ones in bright orange outfit. Besides the Club Med instructors, any one (including other tourists who come by bus just to visit the ski range) can hire private instructors in red outfit.
I found it very funny that many times instructors would pick up and carry the kids around. Maybe the kids fell and whined?!
chin:
From my observation, many Club Med instructors are non-Chinese from France, Korea, etc... They generally lead classes of around or more than 10 students. I think there are private lessons also, but not sure...
The private instructors with red outfit are not Club Med related. There must by 50 or more. They station and get business at the ground level of the building which serve the Sun Mountain ski range, but just Club Med. Many of them not just provide ski instruction, but would provide assistance helping clients getting on/off the ski shoes, carrying the ski equipments, etc... almost like a personal escort.
chin:
This is my 3rd morning in Yabuli, and perhaps the coldest day during my stay. I was told that the temperature was about -20c, but with the wind chill, I think it was easily feel like -30c. I decided to just take the ski lift up mountain to take some pictures.
chin:
These pictures were taken inside the enclosed ski lift, thus the color is tainted by the glass enclosure.
About 200m from the hotel is a large number of empty villas for sale. If you are interested in buying one, you can call the numbers on the bill board. I wonder who would buy property here?! I have been to Niseko in Japan and Aspen in US where people would buy property for investment and earn rental income from renting out to skiers. But how do they get the momentum going in the first place? In place like Yabuli, who would want to be the first to buy property in the middle of no-where, hoping that in the future there would be a vibrant ski holidaying community?
Anyway, the 2nd picture show the mid-station of the ski lift. This station is probably less than 100m higher than the base station, and the first step for those skillful enough to start going up mountain. This section maybe has a grading of 20 degree, then quickly flatten to a long gentle slope back down to the base station.
The 3rd picture is taken almost at the top of the mountain, looking down. The villas and the Club Med building is barely visible.
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