
Winter’s the season for skiing and snowboarding and many of you may also be starting to plan your holiday as you research resorts and try and figure out where to go. Here is the ultimate guide to the best ski resorts in Korea, so if you’re looking for a specific type of ski resort to meet your skiing needs, then read on!
Gangwon-do – Yongpyong Ski Resort: Thrills for all ages
As South Korea’s largest ski resort Yongpyong Ski Resort is the resort that’s got something for everyone to enjoy.
Famous for appearing in the popular Korean dramas, “Winter Sonata (KBS, 2002)” and “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (TVN, 2016)”, Yongpyong Ski Resort was also the main venue for 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
• Location: Pyeongchang
• Travel time from Seoul: 3 hrs
• Number of slopes: 28
• Number of ski lifts: 14 ski lifts
Gangwon-do – Daemyung Vivaldi Park: The hottest ski resort for the ’20s
Adding new facilities every year, Vivaldi Park in Daemyung Resort is known as a trendsetter among Korea ski resorts. Offering the best night skiing experience and slopes full of twists and turns, it’s the perfect venue for thrill-seeking youngsters in their teens and twenties.
Also, Vivaldi Park is where the scenes from the Korean TV drama “The Legend of the Blue Sea (SBS, 2016),” starring Jun Ji-hyun (Chung) and Lee Min-ho (Joon-jae), were filmed. In the drama, the two characters, “Joon-jae” teaches “Chung” how to ski and they spend a great time at Vivaldi Park!
• Location: Hongcheon
• Travel time from Seoul: 2 hrs
• Number of slopes: 12
• Number of ski lifts: 10 (including gondola)
Gangwon-do – Phoenix Park: Heaven for snowboarding fanatics
With beautiful natural scenery and perfect powder, Phoenix Park, or Phoenix Ski Resort or Bokwang Phoenix Park, is perfect for those yearning for a day on the slopes. It’s also famous for appearing in the popular Korean drama, “Autumn in My Heart (KBS, 2000).”
• Location: Pyeongchang
• Travel time from Seoul: 2.5 hrs
• Number of slopes: 21
• Number of ski lifts: 8 lifts & 6 sun-kid lifts & 1 gondola
Gangwon-do – Welli Hilli Park Ski Resort – The ultimate thrill seeker’s getaway
Boasting thrill-filled attractions, and premium lodging facilities as well as a range of slopes, Welli Hilli Park Ski Resort is perfect for those who are seeking an adrenaline rush, offering the surge for all the adrenaline junkies!
• Location: Hoengseong
• Travel time from Seoul: 1.5 hrs
• Number of slopes: 18
• Number of ski lifts: 9
Gangwon-do – Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort: Perfect for a spontaneous getaway
Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort is located closest to Seoul amongst the resorts in Gangwon-do, making it the perfect place to travel to spontaneously for a half or full day of fun. It’s also near popular sightseeing destinations so non-skiers will have fun too!
• Location: Chuncheon
• Travel from Seoul: 1.5 hrs
• Number of slopes: 12
• Number of ski lifts: 10
Gangwon-do – Alpensia Ski Resort: The fantastic Alps of Asia
Boasting top-notch leisure and premium lodging facilities as well as a range of slopes, Alpensia Ski Resort is perfect in every way, offering fun for the whole family!
• Location: Pyeongchang
• Travel time from Seoul: 3 hrs
• Number of slopes: 6
• Number of ski lifts: 3
Gangwon-do – High1 Ski Resort: Home to the puffiest powder
Boasting the purest snow powder out of all the other ski resorts in the area, High1 Ski Resort does its best to maintain the snow conditions of the slopes. With cutting-edge facilities, such as an automatic sensor system, a hands-free detection system, and a state-of-the-art ski lift and gondola system, visitors can enjoy the ride without having to show their lift tickets.
• Location: Jeongseon
• Travel time from Seoul: 3 hrs
• Number of slopes: 26
• Number of ski lifts & gondolas: 6 ski lifts & 4 gondolas
Gangwon-do – Oak Valley Ski Resort: Perfect for crowd-free skiing
If you’re looking for a quieter, more intimate ski resort in Gangwondo (Korea) ski area, Oak Valley Ski Resort, also known as Hansol Oak Valley Resort, can be the one for you. The ski resort has a relaxed atmosphere compared to other ski resorts in the area and has a good mix of slopes and off-the-slope attractions for families.
• Location: Wonju
• Travel time from Seoul: 1.8 hrs
• Number of slopes: 9
• Number of ski lifts: 7
Gyeonggi-do – Jisan Forest Ski Resort: Small-scale and quaint for convenience
Located in Icheon, Jisan Forest Ski Resort is a great option if you’re completely new to skiing or if you want fun as the whole family. There’s a convenient escalator for children and beginners, the slopes are easy and smooth to go down and the venue is small with everything in close vicinity for comfort.
• Location: Icheon
• Travel time from Seoul: 1.5 hrs
• Number of slopes: 7 main slopes & 3 sub-slopes
• Number of ski lifts: 5
Gyeonggi-do – Bears Town Ski Resort: Perfect for a world-class skiing experience
Bears Town Ski Resort is the biggest ski resort near Seoul, with an area of 1,322,314 square meters. Being a large-scale resort, Bears Town Ski Resort has FIS certified slopes and fast ski lifts that can transport 15,200 skiers per hour. The ski resort also offers non-ski family activities such as a sledding hill with the longest sledding slope in the country.
• Location: Pocheon
• Travel time from Seoul: 1.3 hrs
• Number of slopes: 11
• Number of ski lifts: 8
Gyeonggi-do – Konjiam Ski Resort: Perfect if you’re pressed for time
As the first ski resort to limit the number of skiers on the slopes at one time, Konjiam Ski Resort is the perfect place to go if you’re someone who wants to enjoy skiing with minimum waiting around. Located near Seoul, this ski resort is a great option for those wanting a quick ski trip in Korea!
• Location: Gwangju
• Travel time from Seoul: 1.5 hrs
• Number of slopes: 11
• Number of ski lifts & gondolas: 5 ski lifts & 14 gondolas
Gyeonggi-do – Yangji Pine Ski Resort: For those seeking a thrilling challenge
Located at the base of Mount Dokjo, skiers can enjoy their time on the slopes at Yangji Pine Ski Resort while taking in the panoramic view of mountain terrain and thick forests. Night skiing is super popular here and skiers can find various intermediate and advanced level slopes.
• Location: Yongin
• Travel time from Seoul: 1.3 hrs
• Number of slopes: 10
• Number of ski lifts: 6
With so many different ski resorts in Korea to choose from, it might be a bit difficult to choose one that is just for you.