China’s Second Richest Man Builds the World’s Largest Indoor Ski Resort

The wrld’s largest indoor ski resort officially opened on June 30 in China’s northeastern city of Harbin, and boasts six ski runs, the longest being around 500 feet (1,640 feet).

The man behind the new $6 billion ski resort, which is part of the Harbin Wanda City project, is Wang Jianlin, China’s second richest man and founder of the Dalian Wanda Group.

According to Shanghaiist, the 1.6-square-kilometer ski resort is Dalian Wanda’s sixth theme park in China and can hold up to a total of 3,000 people at the same time.

The Harbin Wanda City resort covers 6,000 square meters (over 64,000 square feet).

The indoor ski resort measures at 487 meters long (1,597 feet), 150 meters wide (492 feet) and 114.5 meters high (375.6 feet), China Daily reported.

Harbin Wanda City is not the first to break a world record in terms of skiing, however.

It was announced in 2016 that the world’s highest ski resort would be built near Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, according to The Telegraph.

A number of International Sports Federation delegates stopped by Harbin Wanda City before it opened its slopes to the public last week, including Sarah Lewis, secretary general for the International Ski Federation (FIS).

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

Tickets for the indoor ski resort are priced at 68 yuan ($10) for adults who want to go on a two-hour tour of a snow castle. To use the ski slopes for an unlimited amount of time, skiers and snowboarders must fork over 488 yuan ($71.77).

The resort anticipates 400,000 visitors by the end of 2017.

Share this Article