Snowboarding China

In the 1980’s Rosie Kelly found herself braving the red tape, searing scrutiny and strict oversight of Chinese officials in order to lead bicycle tours in a country only recently open to the west. Mistaken for a Christian missionary, her luggage was searched for contraband Bibles and her tour groups for Playboy and other such evidence of western degenerate behavior. Thirty years later, and twice as old as she was on her first adventure there, Kelly finds herself in China once more: this time to experience the ski slopes of China, solo. What follows is an up and down adventure that, in the course of one day, finds the writer wondering what on earth she’s gotten herself into and delighting in the day-to-day victories in struggles ranging from language barriers, transportation nightmares and culinary disbelief. Enjoy her brushes with disaster, her humorous scenarios with incorrect Mandarin inflections leading to strange interpretations and her obvious delight in living life to the fullest in this latest adventure. Her unique circumstances thrust her into varying degrees of the spotlight, and she is welcomed into a world that few ski/snowboard bums get to experience. Snowboarding China is a fascinating account of one woman’s adventure with real insight into the changing landscape of what once was a country pining for electricity and TV. She now finds herself riding state-of-the-art heated gondolas and bubble chairlifts. Even those who have never been on a pair of skis or a board, will delight in the intimate style of storytelling and may find her advice and expertise motivation to embark on adventures of their own. In addition to her story, she also includes a list of her daily expenses, packing list and useful websites. A must read! Her first book is entitled Snowboarding Is For Adults. It is a step by step guide for those interested in getting off the couch and on to a snowboard. It’s certainly inspirational!

In the 1980’s Rosie Kelly found herself braving the red tape, searing scrutiny and strict oversight of Chinese officials in order to lead bicycle tours in a country only recently open to the west. Mistaken for a Christian missionary, her luggage was searched for contraband Bibles and her tour groups for Playboy and other such evidence of western degenerate behavior. Although she led teen bike tours since the early seventies, she had little experience dealing with strong willed adults. She was equally ill-prepared to negotiate the group’s interests with their Chinese guides and interpreters that had a different agenda. Her group was there to ride bikes through the countryside; the Chinese guides wanted to put them on tour busses and ship them from factory shop to factory shop. She learned quickly how to keep the peace. Thirty years later, and twice as old as she was on her first adventure there, Kelly finds herself in China once more: this time to experience the ski slopes of China, solo. With limited command of the language, she set out resisting the pleas of friends and family to just join a ski club tour of western North American slopes. Instead, she stayed true to her dream, calming those left behind with promises of detailed daily itineraries. What follows is an up and down adventure that, in the course of one day, finds the writer wondering what on earth she’s gotten herself into and delighting in the day-to-day victories in struggles ranging from language barriers, transportation nightmares and culinary disbelief. With a few hundred resorts to choose from (many with just a rope tow or two), she selects four resorts to visit: Yabuli, Genting Secret Garden, Wanlong and Huaibei. Kelly provides a delightful account of her experiences and a wealth of information for those who may wish to follow her lead. Enjoy her brushes with disaster, her humorous scenarios with incorrect Mandarin inflections leading to strange interpretations and her obvious delight in living life to the fullest in this latest adventure. Her unique circumstances thrust her into varying degrees of the spotlight, and she is welcomed into a world that few ski/snowboard bums get to experience. Upon arrival at Genting Secret Garden resort, she witnesses an important meeting regarding China’s 2022 Winter Olympic bid. She is caught off-guard as she is randomly chosen and ill-prepared for an interview by Beijing media (in Mandarin, of course). Snowboarding China is a fascinating account of one woman’s adventure with real insight into the changing landscape of what once was a country pining for electricity and TV. She now finds herself riding state-of-the-art heated gondolas and bubble chairlifts. Even those who have never been on a pair of skis or a board, will delight in the intimate style of storytelling and may find her advice and expertise motivation to embark on adventures of their own. In addition to her story, she also includes a list of her daily expenses, packing list and useful websites. A must read! Her first book is entitled Snowboarding Is For Adults. It is a step by step guide for those interested in getting off the couch and on to a snowboard. It’s certainly inspirational!

Rosie is a lifelong outdoor educator. In the seventies she led bicycle tours throughout the USA, Europe and Asia. She ran outdoor programs for the Girls Club of New York, Outward Bound and American Youth Hostels. Her love of winter sports began in the seventies as she became a XC ski instructor and winter camping enthusiast. She started teaching downhill skiing in the early eighties and was later drafted to become a snowboard instructor due to lack of older instructors. Rosie shares her love for the sport with everyone she comes in contact with. Many of her students have also gone on to be instructors as well. She is certified with (AASI) American Association of Snowboard Instructors. Her first book is entitled "Snowboarding Is For Adults". Her website is rosiesadventures.com. She grew up in a Brooklyn NYC tenement and had little opportunity to explore the outdoors as a child. While running through a sprinkler at a local park, she spotted a rainbow for the first time and wondered what places lay at the other end. She planned to one day find out. For over a decade she cycled thousands of miles both alone and as a bicycle tour leader for American Youth Hostels. Her passion for cycle touring took her across Europe several times as well as cycle trips in Japan, China, Taiwan and across the USA. Her discovery into travel on the cheap also took her to Central America, India and Nepal. After leading bicycle tours to China she knew that she would someday return. Decades later she returns to ride the snowboard and shares her recent experience with us in her latest book "Snowboarding China". Rosie is inspirational.