Mongolia: this country situated between Russia and China has barely been discovered by the Germans as a holiday destination. However, for a few years now, skiers have been able to make a start near the Mongolian capital of Ulan-Bator. SnowTrex has 5 good reasons why everyone should think about skiing in Mongolia.
1. The first ski area in Mongolia
The first ski area of the landlocked state opened on Mount Bogdkhan in 2009. The “Sky Resort” has two large chair lifts and eight runs with unique names like Zalaat or Khurkhreet. The country has a total of 3 km of blue, 2 km of red and 1 km of black pistes. There is also a sledge run and four of the runs are green runs for beginners. Four practice lifts are also available. The access possibilities are excellent for a day trip, as the ski area is only 13 km away from the capital Ulan-Bator.
2. Skiing where the pros practice
Originally, only a golf resort was to be built at the foot of the 2,257-metre-high mountain Bogdkhan in the middle of the national park of the same name. The idea for the ski area came from the chairman of the board of directors of MCS, the group responsible for the project. He had just learned to ski in the USA. The young Mongolian ski association was delighted: the ski athletes from Mongolia, who took part in the World Ski Championships in Val d’Isère for the first time in 2009, could now train in their own country.
3. Best snow conditions thanks to state-of-the-art technology
For the construction of the ski area, the Mongolians have enlisted support from Korea as well as from Europe: the snow-making systems are supplied by the Italian manufacturer TechnoAlpin from Bolzano/South Tyrol. World market leader TechnoAlpin also provides good snow conditions in Flachau/Austria, Ischgl and La Plagne/France, for example, regardless of the weather. Without artificial snow, skiing would not be possible at the Sky Resort: although temperatures are low, the dry climate means that hardly any natural snow falls. The season here runs from late November to early April.
4. Unbeatably low prices
Europeans should have no difficulty understanding at Bogdkhan – most employees speak English and the signs are bilingual. The Mongolian currency is called Tögrög or Tugrik. Moreover, the prices for the lift pass are very reasonable. Even the flights are affordable nowadays. The Buyant Ukhaa airport is only about 30 km away and shuttle buses are also available.
5. The coldest capital in the world
If you’ve already been to the ski area, then you definitely shouldn’t skip the impressive capital, Ulan-Bator. It’s only 13 km away from the Sky Resort ski area. However, wrap yourself up warmly, because it’s no coincidence that the city is considered the coldest capital in the world. This is mainly due to the extremely continental climate. This leads to temperatures as low as -47 degrees on some winter days and very hot temperatures in summer. The Sükhbaatar Square is a must for everyone. It is centrally located and is a huge square with a statue of liberty of the former liberator against the Chinese occupation. There are also numerous other important buildings at Sükhbaatar Square. For example, the Parliament building, the Palace of Culture, the Opera House, the House of the Lord Mayor, the General Post Office and the National University. Many monasteries, a national park and the old black market can also be found in Ulan-Bator.
