Jingkids is all about helping families in Beijing maximize their lives here, and often that means we need to look at things from the perspective of our younger audience. Who better to tell you what kids like than their peers?

We’re so pleased to present the following review of SNOW 51 by 9-year-old Henry Willats.

SNOW 51 is a new urban indoor dry ski and snowboard experience at Beijing International Trade Mall on the first and second floors, and last week I was very lucky to get the chance to try it out with some friends!

First, you need to book ahead as the place is already quite popular. The staff were helpful and spoke a little English. They helped us fill in our details on an app. Next, Coach Lucky and another team member helped us get dressed in our safety gear, and as its indoors, there is no need to wear lots of winter clothes, which was great.

Coach Lucky then prepared the slope with a little water spray to make it nice and slippy. The “ski slope” is a rolling carpet with a bar at the bottom end to help you balance and stop you flying off into the shopping mall! The slope travels at different speeds and angles depending on your skill level. Don’t worry if you’re a beginner, as the coaches are with you all of the time and control or stop the slope as you need. I started just trying to get my balance, and within one hour I could turn, cross over with my friend, and crouch down easily.

My coach didn’t speak a lot of English, but with my basic Chinese it was very easy to understand the instructions. Our group swapped over every ten to 20 minutes, so you get a rest between each session.

While I did my class, my mom was able to go to the café next door to grab us some waters and coffee, so she was happy. She could also browse the Helly Hansen store SNOW 51 is located in, which offers discount levels depending on what membership you have with SNOW 51.

I will definitely go back as it was good exercise, lots of fun with my friends who were all different ages, and it meant I could ski even though Mom didn’t have time to take me to the slopes this week.

There are different membership levels, from an eight-hour pass to a year pass, and although its not cheap, you do get a dedicated coach with you for the whole session, which is ideal if you are a beginner or trying to maintain your skills off-season.

Following the mall’s operating hours, SNOW 51’s opening times are from 10am to 9pm. The youngest age allowed is 3 years old, but I would say it’s better from 5 years old and up, unless the child can already ski a bit. There is no upper age limit and elders are very welcome! There is another location in Sanlitun, and more are planned, so follow SNOW 51 on WeChat for announcements.

Thank you, young reporter Henry, for your review! We look forward to reading and discovering more with you!

KEEP READING: Your Beijing Guide to Indoor Skiing

Images: Claire Willats

To me, the only good part about winter is the ice and snow, and the joy of watching your kids play with all of it! This year, however, many snow parks and ice rinks have yet to open their doors, for any number of reasons including pandemic control, weather constraints, and economic closure. Nevertheless, after much searching, we were able to verify that the following ice skating rinks and snow carnival parks are open for your business!

Champion Rink

Located in Chaoyang Joy City Mall, this indoor rink is friendly to ice-skaters and ice hockey enthusiasts. Admission prices start at RMB 69 for 90 minutes of skating on weekdays with a coupon, or RMB 100 without. The rink is open daily, 10am-10pm. And however accomplished a skater you are, you’ll want to pad up because it tends to get pretty cold on the ice!

Neverland Ice and Snow Carnival 梦幻岛冰雪嘉年华

Forget Peter Pan and the Lost Boys, ’cause you’ve got snowmobiles, sleds, and even llamas at this Neverland Ice and Snow Carnival, located along the fifth ring road east of downtown Beijing. According to Dianping, you can even organize a party at their premises, meaning snow fights with the whole gang! Aside from playing in the snow, there’s also a petting zoo with rabbits and deer and the aforementioned llamas. Tickets start from RMB 59 on weekdays or RMB 69 on weekends, and opening hours are daily from 9am-6pm, with final admission at 5.30pm.

全明星滑冰俱乐部 All Star Skating Club

Conveniently located in Solana, this ice skating rink boasts a coaching team that features some of the nation’s award-winning skaters, so if you have an aspiring ice skater, this might be the place to train them. The price is similar to Champion Rink at RMB 100 for 90 minutes, however, that excludes the cost of equipment rental. The rink is open every day from 10am-9.30pm.

香江冰雪嘉年华 Xiangjiang Ice and Snow Carnival

Great for young kids who want to slide down and dig around in the powdery white snow, this carnival park located in east Beijing does not look to be too crowded at the moment. They even have a snow “banana boat,” a winter variant of the popular beach ride where your family sits on an inflatable tube and is dragged along by a motor vehicle. Limited access tickets start at RMB 20 on weekdays for one adult and child, and go up to RMB 99 which includes unlimited snow slides for two hours on the weekends. You can buy tickets on Dianping by searching Xiāngjiāng bīngxuě jiāniánhuá. The park is open every day from 9am-6pm.

KEEP READING: Outdoor Play Place + Petting Zoo + Snow!

Images: Unsplash, Dianping