THINKING of taking to the slopes but not sure where to begin? No problem. China’s ‘king of
snowboarding’ and two experienced amateur skiers give some top tips for beginners.

Cheng Zengyue

• Who is he?

Cheng Zengyue, secretary of Chinese Ski Association, is known among Chinese wintersports enthusiasts as the “China’s king of snowboarding” for his skills in the giant slalom. The 56-year-old Beijinger started snowboarding in 2000, and began winning accolades in national games in 2004. He was a guest host on CNTV for snowboarding events at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. Since 2009, he has been working as a starter and referee at various professional games at home and abroad.

• What’s your favorite ski resort, and why?

My favorite is Wanlong Ski Resort in Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province. The resort is spacious, with 20 runs. Unlike the soft, powdery snow in other renowned ski resorts like the Alps and Hokkaido in Japan, the snow in Wanlong is hard and smooth. The climate here is around minus 7 to 8 degrees Celsius, making it a heaven for snowboarding, especially carving.

• Why do you love skiing and snowboarding? How much time do you spend on the slopes each year?

I got involved in skiing during a stay in Moscow in 1992. In Russia, there’s seemed nothing to do to kill time except skiing. Then I moved on to snowboarding in 2000. Every year, I come to Wanlong from the first day it opens for the season until the day it closes. So I spend about five to six months a year snowboarding.

• What advice would you give to absolute beginners?

Always remember that safety is the top priority. Choose the proper equipment and make sure that you wear a helmet and elbow and knee pads. Stretch thoroughly before you set out and choose runs that fit your level. I’ve been involved in rescue efforts involving skiers who came off a run and ended up in woodland. Few survived. Though most ski resorts now have safety nets, skiers still need to choose runs according to their abilities.

• Any tips for beginners to improve their skills?

Nothing but practice. Don’t be afraid to fall. Pay close attention to the conditions and choose somewhere that’s not too busy. I suggest beginners go skiing in a group, so they can exchange their experiences and help each other.

Also have someone more experienced to help you improve. Take videos so that you can play them later to see if you have the correct posture.

• Tell us about your snowboarding gear.

Serious snowboarders usually have two or three snowboards for different programs. The board I often use costs 37,000 yuan (US$5,920). I wear a Burton limited edition Shaun White skiing jacket.

• What gear would you recommend for novice snowboarders?

Regular snowboards vary from 1,000 yuan (US$160) to above 10,000. It’s probably best to start with mid-priced ones, changing to something more expensive as your skills improve. Normally, your snowboard should not be taller than you. When you stick the board in snow, it should be between your chin and nose. I wear a fleece jacket, a ski jacket, a set of protective pads and of course, a helmet. Choose double-layered goggles with deep lens tint in sunny days, and light-colored ones in cloudy days.

TRACY Cui

• Who is she?

Tracy Cui works for an IT company in Shanghai and has six years’ experience skiing. Since 2009, she has spent at least one day every weekend on the slopes during the season. Now, she can ski on most runs, specializing in slaloms for amateurs.

• Which ski resorts do you go to? Which is your favorite and how do you measure a resort’s quality?

I usually go to Beijing Nanshan Ski Resort, Hebei Zhangjiakou Wanlong Ski Resort and Jilin Beidahu Ski Resort. Nanshan is my favorite because it is convenient for me when I’m in Beijing. I can get there in an hour. In addition, the runs are good, with distinct beginners’ intermediate and advanced runs. I also think that safety facilities at Nanshan are better than those that are on offer at other ski resorts.

• How long does it take to get from a beginner to an advanced skier?

Actually, you can slide down an advanced slope with a snow plow turn after practicing for 10 days. But if you want to have a cool array of techniques, long-term practice of basic skills is essential.

• What do you find are the greatest pleasures of skiing?

Making friends and relaxing by concentrating on practicing are my greatest pleasures. I can meet like-minded people when skiing and we get along well with each other. And, the sunshine and fresh air benefit my health a lot during the winter months.

• What equipment do you use?

Armada skis, K2 ski poles, Full Tilt snowshoes, a Giro helmet, Smith I/OS goggles and an Armada snow suit.

• What equipment do you recommend for beginners and intermediate skiers?

Sometimes when I take friends to ski resorts, they just rent suits locally. There is no need to buy a ski suit if you just want to have a try. If you’ve tried snowsports and are hooked, then buy a helmet, goggles, a ski suit, skis or a snowboard. Helmets are a vital purchase, for obvious safety reasons. Don’t be hurried into buying skis or a snowboard. Beginners should try out different skis or snowboards and then buy the one that they feel is most suitable for them.

• Do you recommend skiing apps?

Generally, advanced skiers don’t depend a lot on apps. However, Ski and Snow Report is a good choice for the skiers going to Japan, Canada, the United States and New Zealand. It has information on 2,000 ski resorts.

ZHANG Lie

• Who is he?

Zhang Lie, who works for a finance firm in California, took up wintersports several years ago. To capture his most memorable moments on the slopes, he uses a Gopro camera.

• How long have you been skiing and snowboarding?

I have been snowboarding for four years and this is my first season skiing.

• What’s your favorite ski resort?

Since I live in southern California, my home mountain is Mammoth Mountain. I have skied in almost all the major ski resort in North America, and by far my favorite is Jackson Hole mountain resort in Wyoming. It’s famous for its extreme terrain and more than 2500 arces (1,011 hectares) of skiable areas. It contains more than 50 percent of expert terrain, fitting my ability well, and allowing me to have the most fun.

• What attracts you to skiing?

I enjoy the speed and the excitement of exploring new extreme terrain. It’s a powder paradise.

• What gear do you use?

I trust The North Face the most. Its clothes are simple and sophisticated, and I like bright colors — like blue, yellow and orange — for good pictures. I bought a Gopro to record my memorable moments.

• What equipment would you recommend for beginners?

Safety is the key. You need to have a helmet and good quality clothing is essential to keep you dry and warm. And to ensure you have fun on the slopes, you need to take time to find the right skis or board that suits you best. After that, get familiar with your gear before heading to the slopes as this will give you more confidence and help you relax.