Harbin Travel Tips

Harbin is known as the top winter destination in the world. Its tourism is mostly promoted by the International Ice And Snow Festival and various culture & winter activities organized by the locals and the government of Harbin City . The tourist season of Harbin mainly focous on Jan. - March and Nov. - Dec.  Here are some tips to keep in mind while you travel in Harbin in Winter, hope they are helpful. Have fun in harbin!!!

•The winter temperature of Harbin is very low. So please dress in layers. It is very important to keep warm and dry while enjoying outdoor activities in the icy winter.

•When not wearing a helmet, wear a hat, and a neck guard.  Keep ears covered too. Noses can be covered with neck guard.

•Make sure that clothes is comfortable. Tight clothing restrict circulation and can increase changes of frostbite.

•Wear brightly coloured clothing in the ski fields - easier to be seen.

•Goggles that provide sun safety can also protect eyes from cold, wind and snow.

•Don't overdo activities.  

•Try to maintain healthy eating and sleeping habits.

•Avoid alcohol, tobacco, drugs and consider reducing caffeine consumption.

•Take some time to relax and give children some "down time" as well. 

•Children should be taught never to throw snow at other people. Snowballs can contain ice chunks or stones that can cause harm including damage to eyes.

•Never bury anyone in snow as there is a risk of suffocation and teach children never to make tunnels in the snow.

•Don't let children eat snow.  Even white snow can contain pollutants from the air, including trace minerals like mercury.  Snow can also contain windblown soils that can include animal fecal matter.

HERE ARE SOME SAFETY TIPS FOR SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING:

Always Practice Winter Safety.

•Learning the weather conditions of the ski report, pay attention to the changable climate. Remember to protect your skin.

•Wear helmets that are specifically designed for the activity you are participating in (some ski fields include in the fee, if not, please buy or rent).

•If you travel with kids, consider taking lessons or having them participate in lessons to learn the proper way to ski/snowboard and use the lifts. 

•Learning the length, width, height and the directions of the trail. When getting into troubles, try to do something that can help.

•Choose the proper trail according to your skiing ability.

•Maintain control. Ski/snowboard under control and in such a manner that you can stop or avoid other skiers/snowboarder or objects. If you are uncertain about the front, hold your horse. Excessive speed is dangerous!

•Keep some distance from other skiers/snowboarders. Don't run after each other.

•Don't stop at the steep slope while skiing/snowboarding.

•If you unfortunely fall down, lower the center of gravity and keep balance.

•Warm up slowly and prepare yourself for skiing/snowboarding, both mentally and physically.  Begin each run slowly until you are familiar with it.

•If a ski/snowboard slope is beyond your ability or conditions become unsafe, take off your skis and side step down the hill.

•Stop skiing/snowboarding before you become too tired.

•Be aware of the snow conditions and avalanche warnings.

•Make sure the equipment is well maintained and appropriate for the age and ability of the user.

•Never ski/snowboard alone.

•If you are involved in or witness a collision or accident you must remain at the scene and identify yourself to the Ski Patrol.

•When using Ski/snowboard lifts, learn how to get on and off safely.  Never push to get on.  Consider asking the attendant to reduce the speed of the lift if getting on and off with little children.  Always lower the bar on chair lifts.

•Keep warm. Choose proper boots, socks and gloves which are comfortable but snug. To keep warm you have to wear right amount of clothing, better waterproof.

•Avoid scarves, loose clothing and tie up long hair that can get caught in ski/snowboard lifts.

•You must not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible from above.

•When entering or merging onto a trail or starting downhill, yield to others.

•All skiers/snowborders shall use devices to prevent runaway skis.

•Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.

HERE ARE SOME SKIING TIPS FOR THE BEGINNERS

Skis: In some Harbin ski resorts, all their rental shops would give you skis that suit your ability, but their height is the key. Make sure they are 20-30cm shorter than your height - shorter skis are easier to turn! If you find the front of your skis keep crossing while you ski, then go back to the rental shop and ask for some shorter ones!

Glasses: prevent the light and cold wind.

Gloves: Ski gloves should be cold-proof and impervious to water.

Boots: The biggest problem that the beginners face is cold feet. Or cut off circulation. It is because the boots you are using are not fit for you. Maybe rental boots are uncomfortable so your mission is to try to find a pair that feel relatively comfortable but snug! Boots should allow you to wiggle your toes,but it should not allow you to turn your foot side-to-side within it.Try several pairs of boots at your first time - not every boot marked the same size is actually the same size. Find the boot that fit you.

Socks: Skiing boots are relatively warm. Very warm. Do Not wear very thick socks or more than one pairs in your boots. Otherwise you'll lose circulation, and then your feet will feel cold.
 
Clothing: Do NOT wear jeans, or sweatpants. You will be falling down in snow, and even if it is cold enough to be dry snow, some of it will stick to you and melt. If you get wet, it's over. There's no chance to stay warm. At least wear shells (nylon waterproof pants with no padding or insulation). Your jacket and gloves should also be waterproof. To keep warm you have to wear right amount of clothing, and keep moving.

Friends: For the beginners, it is the most important decision. Find someone with you for your first skiing experience.

Getting involved: Skiing is a massive confidence sport though, so take your time learning and don't rush straight up to the top of the mountain, because getting out of control and stacking it at high speed can put people off.

 
HERE ARE SOME WINTER CAMERA TIPS IN HARBIN

No need to stop taking pictures just because it is cold out, but the weather can be tough on your camera. Just remember to protect it from the change in humidity when you come inside on a cold day. This is really a simple tip - seal your camera in an air-tight plastic bag before you bring it inside after being out in the cold, and don't open the bag until the camera is roughly at room temperature. Warm air inside has a lot of moisture that will condense when it comes in contact with a cold camera. That moisture is bad news for your lens and the electronics within your camera.

Bonus hints:

•If you have the memory card and battery OUTSIDE the plastic bag. No doubt once you seal up your camera and head inside you will want to check out your pictures, but remember, DON'T open the bag until the camera warms up -- so take the memory card (and battery, if it needs to be charged) out of the camera BEFORE sealing the camera in the bag.

•Plastic bags are slippery! Remember this fact when you are carrying the camera in the bag, and when you put it down somewhere.

•Try and keep the temperature changes gradual, whether it be cooling off, or warming up.

•Don't follow the previous suggestion when it comes to batteries -- a battery won't last as long when it is cold, so keep it as warm as possible until you are ready to use it. If your battery dies out in the cold try heating it up for a while (inside your coat, for instance) and see if you can get a few more shots out of it. This applies to all batteries; a good reason to keep your iPod or other MP3 player warm.

•Most cameras will underexpose shots with lots of bright snow, making everything, except the snow, too dark. Try setting the manual exposure control to +1 or even +1.5. The snow will be even brighter, but the rest of the shot should be properly lit.