Koktokay Ski Resort, Xinjiang China

Koktokay Ski Resort in the Altay Prefecture of Xinjiang China is a new ski resort that was initially built in 2020. Like many Chinese ski resorts, it’s a burgeoning destination and rapid development continues.

Also known as Keketuohai, the Koktokay International Ski Resort is renowned for its very long season thanks to its high altitude and cold temperatures, and it attracts national and international ski teams to use it as a training ground.

The Koktokay region is known for its national geological park and its rock formations (known as China’s Little Yosemite!), the Irtush Grand Canyon, and its rich mineral mining history. You’ll also sense the Kazakh heritage of the region and its historic nomadic customs.

Pros & Cons of Koktokay

Pros

•  The upper reaches of the ski resort enjoy high elevation which contributes to great snow quality.
• Associated with these cold temperatures, Koktokay usually has a very long ski season that runs from October to May.
• It’s a new ski resort with high quality lifts and well developed infrastructure.
• Koktokay has upscale ski-in ski-out lodging.
• Koktokay is proud that it has the steepest black diamond run in China, although keep your expectations in check because it’s not that steep!

Pro or Con Depending On Your Perspective

• Whilst the area is alleged to have heavy snowfall, it’s not known if it actually snows that much. Every video we’ve seen of the ski resort shows off-piste areas with a very shallow snowpack. At least the pistes have consistent cover thanks to really really extensive snowmaking capabilities.
• Koktokay is a remote ski resort that takes a bit of effort to get there, which helps to keep the crowds down somewhat.
• The mountain scenery from the top is attractive, whilst some of the natural beauty of the ski resort itself is marred by an abundance of snow machines and every piste being fenced in with ugly red or orange fencing.

Koktokay Ski and Snowboard Terrain

The Koktokay Ski Resort is decent sized and continues to grow. The main base of the ski area is at 2,200 metres although trails drop as low as 1,750 metres. With a top elevation of 3,100 metres, that equates to 1,350 metres of vertical, which is not skiable in one pitch.

As of 2026 there were 23 trails with a length of 61km, which is set to expand to 80 trails with a total length of 121km. Three gondolas are the mainstay of the lift infrastructure and the plan is for 13 lifts.

There are trails for different ability levels, and whilst a large proportion are rated as black, they’re not particularly steep and wouldn’t be rated as “advanced” on an international scale. Koktokay features the steepest run in China that has a vertical drop of 227 metres. They make it sound steep with a maximum gradient of 71.28%, which equates to only 35.5 degrees, so it’s more hype than pitchy.

Most of the pistes are fully enclosed with unsightly orange or red fencing to ensure no one goes off-piste inadvertently. In terms of going off-piste purposefully, it’s unknown if off-piste skiing is kosher and if there’s usually an adequate snow base to keep powder hounds entertained.

To keep abreast of which lifts and runs are open you’ll need to use WeChat for the resort’s operations information.

Koktokay Snow

Some of the piste have snow machines every 20 metres, ensuring that the snow cover is great for those who love groomed runs. The volumes of snow that come from Mother Nature remain questionable.

The elevation helps to retain the snow quality and ensure a long ski season, and with the cold temperatures you’ll want to ensure you dress with plenty of layers.

Where is Koktokay / Keketuohai?

Koktokay (Keketuohai) Ski Resort is about 18km east of the town of the same name/s. Koktokay is in the northern part of Xinjiang in Fuyun County, Altai Region, 520km northeast of Ürümqi (the capital of Xinjiang). Koktokay is 275km southeast of the city of Altay and the Altay Airport, a drive that takes about 4 to 5 hours.

Access is via the Fuyun Koktokay Airport via a flight from Urumqi, or there are buses from Urumqi to Fuyun. From the Fuyun Koktokay Airport it’s a 1.5 hour taxi ride to the town of Koktokay and then an 18km shuttle to the actual ski resort.

Koktokay Accommodation

On-Mountain Accommodation

There are several options for slopeside hotels at Koktokay Ski Resort and more being built. Tui Blue Keketuohai Sanbaisuo offers deluxe accommodations in white pods perched on the mountainside, which sort of blend in with the snow. Or the luxury Koktokay Six Terrace Apartment Hotel offers rooms, suites and apartments with kitchen and living space.  

Town Accommodation

Or there are more options for accommodation down in the town of Koktokay / Keketuohai, and there are shuttles to connect the town with the ski resort.

Koktokay Hotel Listings

Facilities

The ski resort facilities and services are well developed and continue to expand. The main base is at 2,200 metres where you’ll find a mini mall with shops, equipment rentals, ski school and eateries. There are also day lodges at the gondola stations at the top and at 2,500 metres.