Taiwan Today

Snow sports on subtropical Taiwan? Seeing is believing. These photos were taken last month on 11,205-foot Mt. Hohuan, where a ski lift has just begun operations. Snow reaches a depth of around a foot in January and February. This year the China Youth Corps sponsored ski training for 300 college and high school students. Hohuan means "joy together"; it is Taiwan's 15th highest peak.

 

 

 

 

The Taiwan Forestry Bureau built the Sung Hsueh Lou (Pine Snow Building) Hostel for skiers. Structure at left is a garage. Mt. Hohuan is on the East-West Cross-Island Highway and can be reached front Taipei by bus or car in a scenic drive of eight hours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ski bunnies must be up while the mist still hugs the mountaintop. Across the bridge lies the practice slope. Mt. Hohuan winter temperatures usually range around the freezing level, although the record is minus 15 C. Snow attracts art students as well as skiers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Chinese Army uses Mt. Hohuan for arctic training. In fact the skiing potential of the area was first discovered by General Chiang Ching-kuo, now the defense minister, when he was inspecting construction of the East-West Highway by retired servicemen. The Armed Forces, Forestry Bureau, and China Youth Corps have cooperated in development and use of the mountain.

Taiwan's skiers make up in enthusiasm what they lack in skill. Girls are no less eager than boys to master the techniques.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Icicles hanging from the eaves... snow-clad firs in the misty distance... the fun of making a first snow man. These are among winter thrills that youth of Taiwan didn't know until Hohuan was developed. Even the bears seem to enjoy the invasion of their privacy. They come to the hostel at night for handouts.

 

 

 

 

 

Beginners' area is of ample size and the practice slopes are gentle. Young people are starting to come from Hongkong and Okinawa. Some equipment is made in Taiwan. The United States has expressed an interest in importing sturdy, low-cost Taiwan skis.

 

 

 

 

 

Instruction is given in two shifts daily. So far the lift is more popular with sightseers than with skiers, who are not yet ready to try any steep descents. Thought is being given to winter sports as an attraction for tourists, who are expected to number 250,000 this year.