Where to Ski in South Korea?
While Japan is widely celebrated for its snow-capped mountains and ski slopes, South Korea also has plenty to offer snow sports enthusiasts. Known as resorts, South Korean ski areas are full of appeal.
While Japan is widely celebrated for its snow-capped mountains and ski slopes, South Korea also has plenty to offer snow sports enthusiasts. Known as resorts, South Korean ski areas are brimming with appeal. In fact, one of them was even selected to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. Discover the best winter sports resorts for skiing and snowboarding in South Korea.
1. Phoenix Park
This is the most famous resort in the country in recent years! And for good reason—it hosted the freestyle skiing and snowboarding events for the 2018 Winter Olympics. The Phoenix Park ski area is located between 680 and 1,080 meters in altitude in PyeongChang, just two hours from the capital by car. The resort boasts excellent facilities and caters to both beginner and experienced skiers. It's also popular for its freestyle infrastructure, including a half-pipe and snowparks.
More info at http://phoenixhnr.co.kr/pyeongchang/global/en/ski/slope
2. High1 Resort
Found in Gangwon-do, you'll discover a resort among the most scenic in South Korea. Situated between 690 and 1,367 meters in altitude, the High1 ski area offers a majestic view of the Taebaek mountains. Given its elevation, it's an ideal spot to enjoy pristine, natural snow (unlike some other ski resorts that rely more heavily on artificial snowmaking). Whether you're a beginner or an advanced skier, all slopes start from the summit of one of three mountains. Another advantage: the slopes are designed to accommodate visitors with reduced mobility.
More info at http://www.high1.com/eng/skiInfo/html.high1
3. Yongpyong Resort
Located in PyeongChang (three hours from Seoul), Yongpyong is South Korea's first winter sports resort. Perched between 700 and 1,438 meters in altitude, this ski area is renowned for its optimal conditions. With excellent snowfall, it's one of the country's most developed resorts. For the record, it also hosted alpine skiing events during the 2018 Winter Olympics. Advanced skiers will have a blast on the complex's highest slope: Rainbow. At 1,210 meters, it's considered one of the best runs in the entire country.
More info at http://www.yongpyong.co.kr/eng/index.do
4. Daemyung Vivaldi Park
This is THE trendy winter sports resort that all young South Koreans love. Easily accessible (about an hour from Seoul), Vivaldi Park sits in Gangwon-do between 270 and 580 meters in altitude. What young people appreciate is that it offers slopes for all levels. While the slopes may not seem impressive at first glance, the more adventurous will be surprised by the unexpected challenges found on the difficult runs. But what particularly made this ski resort festively renowned is that it was the first in South Korea to light up its slopes for night skiing!
More info at https://www.daemyungresort.com/
5. Alpensia
Also called PyeongChang's Winter Olympic Park, the Alpensia ski area is located, as its name suggests, in PyeongChang. With elevations ranging from 775 to 970 meters, this resort may not be large, but it has everything you need! Like Phoenix Park and Yongpyong, it was a major venue for the 2018 Winter Olympics, notably hosting cross-country skiing and alpine skiing events. The resort was even used for the 2018 Winter Paralympics, the 2009 Biathlon World Championships, and events from the FIS Ski Jumping Continental Cup. Clearly, there are plenty of reasons why Alpensia resort is well worth a visit if you want to ski in South Korea.
More info at http://www.alpensiaresort.co.kr/EnSptsSkiSlopeInfoList.gdc
Frequently asked questions
Yongpyong Resort is often considered the best resort in South Korea thanks to its optimal snowfall conditions and altitude of up to 1,438 m. Phoenix Park is the most famous since the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Daemyung Vivaldi Park is the closest resort to Seoul, accessible in about an hour. Phoenix Park is two hours away and Yongpyong Resort is three hours from the capital.
Yes, all the resorts mentioned offer slopes suitable for beginners. High1 Resort and Vivaldi Park are particularly recommended for newcomers, with comprehensive instructional facilities.
Multiple resorts hosted the 2018 Winter Olympics: Phoenix Park for freestyle skiing and snowboarding, Yongpyong Resort for alpine skiing, and Alpensia for cross-country skiing. All these resorts are located in the PyeongChang region.
The ski season in South Korea typically runs from December to March. January and February offer the best snow conditions, with temperatures cold enough to maintain good natural snowfall, particularly at High1 Resort.
