I Went Snowboarding at the World’s Biggest Indoor Ski Resort in Shanghai – L+ Snow Resort
A massive indoor ski resort, deep in the suburbs of Shanghai—I had to check it out! So, I hopped in the car and made the long drive from Nanjing to Shanghai for my first-ever snowboarding experience at L+ Snow, the biggest indoor ski resort in the world.
The Journey to Shanghai
Ever sat in traffic for hours, dreaming about getting to your destination? That was me. The drive was long, with heavy traffic, but we made a stop at an amazing highway service station that had great food and a cool atmosphere—probably the highlight of the journey!
The resort itself is in an industrial area near Shanghai’s port, not too far from the Tesla Gigafactory and Pudong Airport. It’s not somewhere you’d expect to find a huge ski resort, but here it is, a giant winter wonderland in the middle of the city’s outskirts.
First Impressions – It’s HUGE!
Walking in, the first thing I noticed was the sheer size of the place. It’s massive. At over 90,000 square meters, it holds the Guinness World Record for the biggest indoor ski facility in the world.
Once inside, we grabbed our gear—a snowboard, helmet, and jacket (gloves weren’t included, so bring your own!). The facilities were super modern and easy to navigate. After changing, we walked past a cozy coffee shop and entered the snow area.
Learning to Snowboard – A Rough Start!
Have you ever tried snowboarding for the first time? Let me tell you—it’s not easy!
We started on a tiny beginner slope, which was barely slanted. Even getting the snowboard on was a challenge—I struggled with a stubborn buckle and needed some help just to get going. Once I finally managed to stand up, I slowly started to get the hang of it.
Feeling a bit more confident, we took the enclosed lift to the main slopes. There’s also a proper ski lift (the chair kind), but we didn’t try that until later.
Exploring the Slopes
Once at the top, we saw a huge castle right in the middle of the resort—yes, a castle inside a ski resort! The top section branches into multiple slopes, ranging from beginner to more advanced. Which one do you think we took? Yeah, the easiest one—at first.
After some practice (and many falls), we decided to try one of the bigger slopes. The experience? Amazing, but painful!Snowboarding takes a lot of patience, balance, and the ability to laugh at yourself when you wipe out—which we did, a lot.
The L+ Snow Indoor Skiing Theme Resort in Shanghai is a remarkable feat of engineering and design, offering a unique skiing experience within an urban setting. Here’s a closer look at its background and some intriguing facts:
Background and Facts
• Record-Breaking Size: Spanning approximately 98,828.7 square meters, the resort’s “Snow World” has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest indoor skiing facility globally.
• Vertical Drop and Slopes: The facility boasts a vertical drop of nearly 60 meters and features three professional ski slopes totaling about 1,200 meters in length. These slopes cater to various skill levels, ensuring both beginners and seasoned skiers find suitable challenges.
• Snow Entertainment Area: Beyond skiing, there’s a substantial snow entertainment zone offering diverse activities, making it a comprehensive winter-themed destination.
• Integrated Amenities: The resort seamlessly combines dining, accommodation, entertainment, and shopping, all within a Nordic-inspired design. This integration ensures visitors have a holistic experience, from enjoying winter sports to relaxing in cozy eateries.
• Energy Efficiency: Maintaining sub-zero temperatures in such a vast space requires significant energy. The resort employs 72 cooling machines and 33 snow-making machines to keep the environment ideal for snow activities. To mitigate its carbon footprint, the facility incorporates energy-saving measures, including ice storage and waste-heat recovery systems. Additionally, over 75% of the rooftop is covered with solar panels ( you can see them in my video below ), contributing to its energy needs.
• Development Timeline: The resort underwent a month-long trial operation before officially opening to the public on September 6, 2024. During the trial phase, it attracted nearly 100,000 visitors, highlighting the public’s enthusiasm for indoor skiing experiences.
The L+ Snow Indoor Skiing Theme Resort stands as a testament to Shanghai’s innovative spirit, offering residents and visitors alike a chance to enjoy winter sports year-round, regardless of the city’s seasonal climate.
Flying my Drone & Exploring More
As a drone enthusiast, I had to capture this place from above. The size of the building is just as insane from the sky as it is from the ground. Next to it, there are tons of restaurants and shops, making it a full-on entertainment destination.
Inside the resort, there’s even a full-size ice rink—because why not? If you ever get tired of skiing, you can go skating instead!
Final Thoughts – Would I Go Back?
Was it worth it? Absolutely. Even though it was tiring, bruising, and frustrating at times, the experience was so much fun. The slopes are well-designed, the facilities are top-notch, and it’s a great place whether you’re a beginner or an expert.
Would I go back? 100%! Now that I’ve had my first taste of snowboarding, I’d love to improve my skills and try some of the more advanced slopes next time, even though I still feel quite battered and bruised from the experience, it’s well worth it.
So, would you try snowboarding at the world’s biggest indoor ski resort? Let me know—because if you’re ever in Shanghai, this place is definitely worth a visit! Below is a video I made showing the resort. The place looks crazy from outside, especially from high up in the sky flying my drone. Inside is impressive too and is much bigger and has better theming than I expected.
This resort is quite far from the city so be sure to plan how you will get here well in advanced. There are a number of hotels and Airbnb accommodation nearby. Theres also a shopping mall and plenty of food options in the complex. I didn’t get chance to try it out but theres an ice skating rink in here too which looks massive and like it would be a lot of fun.
