Korea’s Winter: Top 5 Ski Resorts to Enjoy Thrilling Snow-Covered Slopes
Korea’s winter arrives with mountains blanketed in white snow. Many people visit ski resorts to enjoy skiing and snowboarding, known as the flowers of winter sports. Korea has various ski resorts, each with its own unique charm. In this article, we’ll carefully introduce 5 representative Korean ski resorts, detailing each resort’s features, pros and cons, and comprehensive location information for international travelers.
1. Gonjiam Resort: Premium Ski Experience Near Seoul
Location: Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi Province
Features: Gonjiam Resort is one of the largest ski resorts closest to Seoul. Above all, thanks to its ‘reservation-based lift ticket system even on weekends,’ it boasts excellent snow quality and minimal waiting times. It’s especially popular with families, and the resort’s well-equipped auxiliary facilities allow you to solve accommodation and leisure needs all at once.
Pros:
- Accessibility: Approximately 1 hour from Gangnam, Seoul, making it ideal for day trips.
- Comfort: Operated by reservation system, allowing you to enjoy skiing leisurely without crowds.
- Various Slopes: Features slopes of various difficulty levels from beginner to advanced, allowing selection based on skill level.
- Excellent Snow Quality: Maintains good snow quality with latest snowmaking equipment and thorough management.
Cons:
- High Prices: Lift tickets and facility usage fees are relatively higher compared to other ski resorts.
- Weekend Reservation Required: Lift tickets must be pre-booked for weekends or holidays.
Location Information for International Visitors:
- Public Transportation:
- Subway + Bus: Take bus toward Gonjiam Station (e.g., 1-9) from Jamsil Station or Gangbyeon Station, then board free shuttle bus to Gonjiam Resort from Gonjiam Terminal.
- Shuttle Bus: Use shuttle buses departing from major Seoul areas (Gangnam, Hongdae, etc.) (paid, advance reservation required).
- Car: Enter “Gonjiam Resort” or “278 Docheok-wit-ro, Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do” in navigation. Parking space is ample.
2. High1 Resort: Vast Scale and Natural Beauty
Location: Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon Province
Features: High1 Resort boasts the largest scale in Korea. The slopes starting from ‘Mountain Top’ are majestic enough to remind you of the Himalayas, and the great attraction is enjoying skiing in the open natural landscape. Additionally, with long slope lengths and various gradients, it’s especially popular with intermediate-level and above skiers.
Pros:
- Overwhelming Scale: Boasts the longest and widest slopes in Korea.
- Fantastic Scenery: Surrounding natural scenery is very beautiful, pleasing the eyes beyond skiing.
- Various Slopes: Equipped with diverse slopes from challenging ones for advanced skiers to gentle ones for beginners.
- Well-Maintained Snow Quality: Snow quality is maintained for a long time thanks to ample slopes.
- Auxiliary Facilities: Can enjoy various auxiliary facilities including water park, casino, and golf course.
Cons:
- Accessibility: Distance from Seoul is somewhat far, which may take a long time when using public transportation.
- Beginner Difficulty: Beginner slopes may feel somewhat steep in some sections.
Location Information for International Visitors:
- Public Transportation:
- KTX + Bus: Take Taebaek Line KTX from Cheongnyangni Station or Seoul Station, get off at Chujeon Station or Gohan Station. Use bus to High1 Resort from station front.
- Intercity Bus: Take direct bus to Gohan/Sabuk from Dong Seoul Terminal or Seoul Express Bus Terminal, then use bus to resort.
- Car: Enter “High1 Resort” or “325-1 Gohan-ri, Gohan-eup, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do” in navigation.
3. Yongpyong Resort: The History and Prestige of Korean Skiing
Location: Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Province
Features: Yongpyong Resort boasts a long history and prestige worthy of being called ‘the Mecca of Korean skiing.’ It was the venue for alpine skiing events at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and provides the best skiing environment based on experience hosting various international competitions. In particular, the ‘Birch Hill’ slope is very popular as beginners can safely enjoy it.
Pros:
- Various Slopes: Equipped with 28 different slopes to satisfy skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
- Excellent Facilities: Latest facilities and systematic management based on experience hosting international-scale competitions.
- Stable Snow Quality: Maintains stable snow quality with wide slopes and excellent snowmaking system.
- Auxiliary Facilities: Can enjoy various leisure facilities including water park, golf course, and luge.
- Winter Olympics Venue: Can experience well-organized environment with prestige as Olympics host venue.
Cons:
- Relatively High Prices: Lift tickets and accommodation costs are somewhat high.
- Peak Season Congestion: Can be somewhat crowded due to large crowds during winter peak season.
Location Information for International Visitors:
- Public Transportation:
- KTX + Bus: Use KTX from Cheongnyangni Station or Seoul Station, get off at Jinbu Station or Pyeongchang Station, then board bus to Yongpyong Resort.
- Intercity Bus: Use direct bus to Yongpyong from Dong Seoul Terminal.
- Car: Enter “Yongpyong Resort” or “715 Olympic-ro, Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do” in navigation.
4. Muju Deogyusan Resort: Skiing in Beautiful Snow Scenery
Location: Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do Province
Features: The greatest attraction of Muju Deogyusan Resort is being able to enjoy skiing against the backdrop of beautiful Deogyusan mountain scenery. In particular, the ‘Last Run’ slope starting from the summit provides a fantastic experience as if running along snow-covered ridges. Recommended if you want to enjoy leisurely skiing with family in nature.
Pros:
- Beautiful Natural Scenery: Can enjoy skiing in the beautiful nature of Deogyusan mountain.
- Long Slopes: Has one of the longest slopes in Korea, allowing you to feel the fun of exhilarating downhill skiing.
- Various Difficulty Levels: Equipped with slopes of various difficulty levels from beginner to advanced.
- Reasonable Prices: Available at relatively reasonable prices compared to other large-scale resorts.
Cons:
- Accessibility: Far from the metropolitan area, taking considerable time when using public transportation.
- Auxiliary Facilities: May feel somewhat lacking in auxiliary facilities compared to other large resorts.
Location Information for International Visitors:
- Public Transportation:
- KTX + Bus: Use KTX from Seoul Station, get off at Iksan Station or Jeonju Station, then board bus to Muju. Use bus to resort from Muju Terminal.
- Intercity Bus: Take direct bus to Muju from Seoul Central City Terminal, then use bus to resort.
- Car: Enter “Muju Deogyusan Resort” or “185 Manseon-ro, Seolcheon-myeon, Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do” in navigation.
5. Elysian Gangchon: Convenient Accessibility and Beginner-Friendly Environment
Location: Chuncheon-si, Gangwon Province
Features: Elysian Gangchon boasts excellent accessibility directly connected by Gyeongchun Line train. Thanks to this, it’s very popular with international travelers or beginners who find it burdensome to travel with ski equipment. With many gentle slopes, even ski beginners can learn without burden, and it’s fully enjoyable as a day trip.
Pros:
- Best Accessibility: Walking distance from Gyeongchun Line ‘Baegyangri Station,’ arriving in 1 hour 30 minutes from Seoul.
- Beginner-Friendly: Many gentle slopes make it suitable for those learning skiing or snowboarding for the first time.
- Reasonable Prices: Lift tickets and season pass prices are relatively inexpensive.
- Night Operations: Has night operation slopes running until late hours, allowing skiing enjoyment in the evening.
Cons:
- Lack of Slope Variety: Relatively fewer challenging slopes for advanced skiers.
- Snow Quality: Snow quality may not be consistent depending on temperature changes.
Location Information for International Visitors:
- Public Transportation:
- Gyeongchun Line Train: Board Gyeongchun Line train from Seoul Sangbong Station or Cheongnyangni Station, get off at ‘Baegyangri Station,’ then 5-minute walk.
- Shuttle Bus: Use shuttle buses departing from major Seoul areas (free, advance reservation required).
- Car: Enter “Elysian Gangchon” or “1445 Bukhangang-byeon-gil, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do” in navigation.
Ski Resort Selection Guide: Which One is Right for You?
Wondering which ski resort to choose? Find the right ski resort for yourself by answering a few questions.
1. What is your skiing skill level?
- Complete Beginner: Elysian Gangchon, Gonjiam Resort (beginner slope focused)
- Beginner-Intermediate: Yongpyong Resort, Gonjiam Resort, Muju Deogyusan Resort
- Intermediate-Advanced and Above: High1 Resort, Yongpyong Resort (advanced slope focused)
2. Where are you departing from?
- Seoul/Gyeonggi Region: Gonjiam Resort, Elysian Gangchon (best accessibility)
- Gangwon Region: Yongpyong Resort, High1 Resort
- Jeolla Region: Muju Deogyusan Resort
3. What do you consider important?
- Comfortable Environment (fewer crowds, good snow quality): Gonjiam Resort
- Magnificent Scale and Beautiful Nature: High1 Resort, Muju Deogyusan Resort
- Various Slopes and International Facilities: Yongpyong Resort
- Convenient Public Transportation: Elysian Gangchon
Tips for International Skiers
If you’re an international visitor visiting Korean ski resorts for the first time, here are some tips worth knowing.
1. Transportation Check is Essential!
As introduced above, many Korean ski resorts are accessible by public transportation. Especially for ski resorts near Seoul, using trains or shuttle buses is convenient. If you’re not familiar with Korean, it’s good to check bus numbers or station names in advance using Google Maps or translation apps like Papago.
2. Equipment Rental and Lessons
Most ski resorts provide equipment rental services for skis, snowboards, clothing, etc. Also, many places operate ski/snowboard lesson programs including instructors who can teach in foreign languages, so lessons are recommended if it’s your first time.
3. Lift Ticket Purchase Methods
Lift tickets can be purchased on-site, but you can often receive discount benefits when pre-booking online. Especially for places like Gonjiam Resort that require reservations, you must check in advance.
4. Weather and Clothing
Korean winters are very cold. In addition to ski wear, be sure to bring warm outerwear with waterproof/windproof functions, hats, gloves, goggles, neck warmers, etc. It’s good to prepare multiple layers of clothing that can be worn together.
5. Understanding Korean Ski Culture
At Korean ski resorts, mainly ‘skiers’ and ‘snowboarders’ use the slopes together. It’s important to be careful for each other’s safety and follow slope usage rules well.
Conclusion: Korean Ski Resorts That Will Make Your Winter More Special
Korea has many excellent ski resorts, each with different charms. From places boasting convenient accessibility near Seoul to places where you can experience the best snow quality in magnificent nature, choose a ski resort that matches your preferences and skill level to create unforgettable winter memories.
- Plan a day trip to the nearest ski resort.
- Challenge yourself at a new ski resort to experience various slopes.
- Enjoy Korean winter sports with international friends.
FAQ
Q1. Are there ski resorts that international visitors can easily use?
A1. Yes, Elysian Gangchon is directly connected by Gyeongchun Line train with excellent accessibility and has many beginner-friendly slopes, making it popular with international skiers. Also, Gonjiam Resort and Yongpyong Resort are convenient to use with shuttle bus operations and good foreign language lesson support.
Q2. I don’t have ski equipment, what should I do?
A2. Most ski resorts provide rental services for all equipment including skis, snowboards, and clothing. You can conveniently rent equipment using rental shops within the ski resort.
Q3. Is it possible to learn skiing or snowboarding for the first time?
A3. Yes, all major ski resorts have lesson programs for beginners. You can learn systematically from professional instructors, and there are many places that offer lessons in foreign languages, so check it out.
EXTERNAL_LINKS: Korea Tourism Organization, Gonjiam Resort website, High1 Resort website
