Visiting an indoor ski slope is a great way to practise technique and get a feel for skiing or snowboarding. But the Harbin Wanda Indoor Ski and Winter Sports Resort, which opened in China last week, potentially banishes the need to visit the mountains altogether – it’s been named the world’s largest indoor ski resort.

Although its slope isn’t the longest indoor run in the world, it is the largest in terms of sheer size and the area it covers – roughly 80,000 square metres.

The impressive looking building

There are six different runs, suitable for all abilities. The main intermediate run is 60m wide and 500m long, making it the fourth longest indoor run on the planet. There are also two black runs, a blue run, a snow play area including a snow castle and two 40m beginner slopes, all of which are served by an indoor chairlift and magic carpet.

The slopes can accommodate up to 3,000 people at a time, and the resort’s owners are hoping to welcome 400,000 visitors by the end of 2017.

The man behind the development is Wang Jianlin, China’s wealthiest business tycoon and founder of the Dalian Wanda Group, who’s reportedly worth $30.4billion (£23.5 billion) according to Forbes.

The new ski resort is part of the Harbin Wanda City project. The city of Harbin sits near China’s northern border with Russia, and has a winter that can last as long as six months, with temperatures plummeting as low as -36°C. Harbin hosts an annual International Ice and Snow Festival, which features some of the world’s largest ice sculptures.

“Harbin is known as the city of ice, which also happens to be the main theme of this resort, so we will together provide winter sport throughout the year,” said Wang at the opening last week.

Northeastern China already has a number of traditional ski resorts including Yabuli, roughly 180km away from Harbin, and Changbaishan, in the nearby Jilin province – but access to real ski resorts in the mountains didn’t stop Wang from pumping a small fortune into this indoor resort.

In total, Harbin Wanda City cost 40 billion yuan (£4.56 billion) and has taken four years to build. As well as the indoor ski resort there’s also a shopping centre, cinema, outdoor theme park, ice hockey rink, hotels and live theatre venues. It’s reported that the mini-city will create 30,000 new jobs.

Skiers on the slope with the snow castle in the background Credit: shanghaiist.com

Since the announcement that the Chinese capital Beijing will host the 2022 Winter Olympics, snow-sports fever has spread across the country. In 2016 China’s National Development and Reform Commission revealed plans to build 240 new ski slopes ahead of the Games, in an attempt to boost its medal prospects.

The Warren Smith Ski Academy became the first British ski school to open in China last winter following increased interest in its course from Chinese skiers and snowboarders. “It’s almost as if winning the 2022 Winter Olympics bid has put skiers in China into panic mode – they really want to get better at skiing, and fast,” said Warren.

Two of the six slopes

Harbin Wanda City isn’t China’s only world first when it comes to skiing. In 2016 it was announced that the world’s highest ski resort would be built near Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.

Several delegates from the International Sports Federation visited the centre at Harbin Wanda City before it opened last week, including Sarah Lewis, secretary general for the International Ski Federation (FIS).

“What we saw was impressive,” said Lewis. “The size and scope of the facility that will enable both newcomers right through to advanced skiers and snowboarders is unique. This project is a clear indication that skiing and snowsports in China are poised to take off in the upcoming years.”

Tickets to enter the new indoor resort start at 68 yuan (£7) for a two-hour tour of a snow castle for an adult. Unlimited use of the ski slopes for skiers and snowboarders costs 488 yuan (£56).