A grand Valentine carnival will be held at the Shijinglong Ski Slopes on Valentine's Day (Saturday).

Any lover attending the carnival will share a festive discount for ski.

For 500 yuan (US$60), two people can enjoy a day's skiing. The fee includes entrance ticket and ski facilities plus cable car, and all other entertainment items offered in the resort.

Wine, roses, chocolates and a drink are also prepared for the first 200 lovers.

Located near Longqingxia Scenic Spot and Guanting Reservoir, Shijinglong Ski Area was the first in the vicinity opened to skiers in 1999.

Now a regular venue for amateur skiers, Shijinglong attracted about 80,000 visitors last winter over the course of a three-month season.

An ideal site for both novice and veteran skiers to test their skills navigating the giant alpine slalom, Shijinglong also invites skiers to participate in its various competitions every winter.

Covering an area of 35 hectares, the resort is equipped with imported snow-making machines to ensure sufficient amounts of powder each day. The ski lifts can send 600 people to the top of the slopes every hour.

Snowboarding, sleigh rides, curling, ice climbing, and ice-skating are also available.

Shijinglong has the largest snowmaking operation of Beijing's suburban ski slopes, assuring the best possible conditions regardless of the season.

For those who love ice sculptures, there is chance to make your own in the ice square, where huge blocks are prepared.

First-timers are important to the area. The staff, from rental equipment technicians to instructors, take extra care to make sure their first day is a great one.

Once at the slopes, the following tips will held you through the preparation process and get you out on the slopes for a great day.

If driving, tip number one is to arrive early to ensure a parking place. On weekends in particular, the parking lot gets very crowded.

Snow conditions are generally best in the morning. Lockers are available for rent in the facility for your belongings.

Usual ski fee: 140 yuan (US$16.8) for two hours on weekend; 190 yuan (US$23) for four hours. It includes ski facility rent, parking and the personal locker rent.

Cost for dining at the resort is not included in this figure.

To get there: take bus No 919 from Deshengmen on the North Second Ring Road to Yanqing and then change taxi or mini-bus to the slopes. Alternatively, go along Badaling Highway to Yanqing and then take State Road 110 to the ski resort.

Hours of operation: 8:30 am to 6 pm.

Tel: 6919-1617; 6919-1615.

(Beijing Weekend February 13, 2004)