What can you expect from a day’s snowboarding in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region?

With well-below freezing weather, the snow maintains a decent texture; as a relatively young sport the slopes are near empty; decent and interesting local tucker; thoughtfully placed warning lanterns; and banging Uighur club tunes broadcast over the resort-wide tannoy.

Downside? Limited altitude; a need to maintain awareness of novices who haven’t mastered the art of turning (no the nets are not for stopping); and yes, Uighur club tunes broadcast over the resort-wide tannoy.

150 Yuan (15 Euro) buys you transport from downtown to the slopes, gear hire, decent local grub and a lift pass. Overnighting in a yurt costs extra.