"Like many Chinese entrepreneurs, Lu raised capital from relatives and friends, who in his case included other Chinese who studied in Britain at Oxford or Cambridge.

He's also a communist Party member, which in China brings influence that can help a small businessman.

Nanshan cost $6 million to build and has not broken even yet, though Lu said it is making money.

And he has big plans. He envisions opening motels and time-share villas for when people start taking extended ski vacations instead of just buying two- or four-hour passes.

``My goal,'' he said, ``is to create another Vail.''