Ten years ago, if you told me I’d be writing a travelogue about a "Club Med" in China, I would have laughed. Club Med was for European beaches, right? But then I went to Club Med Beidahu, and I realized: the game has changed.
Beidahu (literally "North Lake") is in the outskirts of Jilin City. It’s not just a ski resort; it’s a "Ski Holiday" concept. And Club Med has nailed the formula here.
I’m a skier. I’ve skied the Rockies and the Alps. Beidahu has something they don’t always have: "Champagne Powder." The snow here is incredibly light, dry, and fluffy because it’s not too cold (it’s just below freezing) and the humidity is right. You fall, you bounce. You don’t get wet.
But the skiing is only half the story. The other half is the "All-Inclusive" village vibe.
I walked into the main lodge (the "G.O" culture is strong here—Gentle Organizers, the staff who are also your party hosts). The architecture is a mix of modern glass and traditional wooden "kebeng" (a type of Northeast Chinese log cabin). It feels cozy but luxurious.
I spent the morning carving black diamond runs in the pine forests (Beidahu has great tree skiing), and the afternoon sitting in a heated outdoor jacuzzi while snow fell on my eyelashes. That contrast—freezing air, boiling water—is addictive.
The food surprised me. I expected generic buffet food. Instead, I found a dedicated "Northeast Cuisine" station. They were serving real Jilin hot pot, stewed pork with vermicelli, and even that spicy crayfish they’re famous for in summer. They’ve localized the luxury.
At night, the bar becomes the center of the universe. The G.Os put on a show—acrobatics, dance, karaoke. It’s cheesy, sure, but it’s fun. I found myself singing Chinese pop songs with a ski instructor from France and a banker from Shanghai. We were all sweaty, drunk on beer and mountain air, united by the snow.
Club Med Beidahu represents the new China. It’s sophisticated, it’s international, but it’s deeply rooted in the local landscape. It’s not "old school" hardship skiing; it’s high-end comfort in the wild. And honestly? After a week of freezing my butt off in tent hotels, I could get used to the heated floors and the apres-ski cocktails.