Chinese man uses Mount Snow connection to learn about American ski industry

DOVER- He came a very long way to learn about the American ski industry. Now a Chinese ski school director is wrapping up a two-month visit to Mount Snow resort and returning to China with new ideas for his home mountain.

Zhiyong Song is the ski school director of Wanlong ski resort in Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, China. Song is a longtime friend of Mount Snow ski school instructor Jim “CB” Mershon. Mershon studied the Chinese language at the University of Vermont and worked in China. Mershon met Song at Yabuli ski resort in Heliongjiang Province. Song helped Mershon with his Chinese and also gave Mershon a firsthand look at the Chinese ski industry.

“It was interesting in the late 1990s when I first met Song. The ski industry was in its infancy,” said Mershon. “I saw a lot of things you’d expect here back in the 1960s: old lifts, old equipment, and old rental equipment. Three winters ago, they finally caught up.”

According to Song, the Chinese ski industry is still relatively new. Its first ski resort opened in 1996 and since then 14 other ski resorts have been developed. Many are located up and down the north and southeast corridors of China. Many more are planned throughout the country.

The Chinese call skiing “huaxue.” With hauxue’s steady growth, more and more people are trying out the sport for the first time. Now there is more demand for ski instruction. “This (sport) has been developing for the last 10 years. Many more people are taking part and in the future, we’ll have a much bigger market,” said Song.

Mershon and Song have been friends for ten years. For the last three years, Mershon tried diligently to bring Song to Vermont. Things finally came together late last year. Mershon received assistance from Eric Barnes, head of Mount Snow ski services, and also from Song’s supervisor at Wanlong. One thing led to another and eventually, Song got approval. “All of us worked together and we were able to get (Song) over here for a couple of months this season. Song will get to see what we’re doing and we’ll learn more from Song about the Chinese ski industry,” said Mershon.

During his visit, Song visited Stowe ski resort and Loon Mountain in Lincoln, N.H. Song learned about ski school operations, proper teaching techniques, and took the Professional Ski Instructors of America exam, a two-day exam in which ski instructors must “demonstrate a solid foundation of information and experience necessary to be an effective ski teacher.” A level I instructor should demonstrate basic skiing skills, teaching skills, and professional knowledge such as technical and mechanical knowledge, guest service, and ski industry and risk management. Song passed the test with flying colors. “One of my goals was to pass the PSI test,” said Song. “I want to learn to manage ski resorts and supervise workers and ski instructors (and other resort activities).”

Song was impressed with Mount Snow ski resort and said it is similar to Wanlong in that they are the same size and have similar weather patterns, meaning often windy and cold. Wanlong is located three hours outside the capital city of Beijing. Mount Snow is not far from major metropolitan areas like New York City, Hartford, CT, Providence, RI, or Boston, MA. Last year, Wanlong had the longest ski season in China. Mount Snow was the first Vermont ski resort to open and the last to close in 2007-2008. The only difference is lift ticket costs. Mount Snow lift tickets cost $75 for a day, whereas Wanlong costs 390 yuan or $42.

The other difference Song observed was ski instruction. Song thinks that may have more to do with the difference between Chinese and American culture. In China, Song noted that ski instruction is much more structured. In America, Song says, it’s more relaxed. “Learning to ski is different in America. You teach people to ski for fun. In China, it’s more technical,” said Song.

Mershon said he is delighted to have Song visit Mount Snow. He is grateful for the support from Barnes, Peak Resort’s Dick Deutch, Mount Snow ski director Joe Hanslik, and Wanlong ski resort. All of them played a major role in bringing Song to Mount Snow. “It’s something I’ve been hoping to do for quite a number of years. When Song actually got off the plane and I saw him in the airport, I was just amazed it all came together. He was actually here,” said Mershon.

To learn more about Wanlong ski resort visit www.wlski.com.