People from other part of the world especially tropical countries or none 4 seasons countries, they somehow think about how actually the White Christmas look like in their own eyes with snow fall from the sky! Winter in South Korea is going to be one of the best destination for them especially for traveller from Asia where it is nearer and quite a budget destination compare to other countries. To celebrate White Christmas without ski and winter sports is not a complete Korea winter vacation. So, I would like to recommend 5 best places must-go for ski and winter sports in South Korea as to make your winter vacation completely satisfied!
1. Alpensia Resort, Pyeongchang, South Korea
Alpensia Resort, Pyeongchang, South Korea |
Alpensia Resort is at about 700m above sea level, an altitude that is not known primarily for its “healthy altitude,” but rather its excellent snow quality and sweeping view of the majestic Daegwallyeong Range. The resort has 6 slopes for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy. Runs as long as 1.4km provide a dynamic experience for both beginner and experienced skiers. There is also an area exclusively for advanaced snowboarders to practive their skills, Alpensia is not just for winter-revellers, the year-round resort transforms the lower, Apron Area, of the mountain into a 100,000 meter square wild flower garden during summer months. As the main venue of the 2018 Pyeonchang Winter Olympics, Alpensia Resort has recently been the subject of much buzz across the nation and in the international sports community.
Rental Fees | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Direction
- Apgujeong Station (Seoul Subway Line 3),
Exit 6. Board the Alpensia shuttle bus at the parking lot next to Hyundai Department Store.
(Departure time: 08:30)
- Jamsil Station (Seoul Subway Line 2),
Exit 4. Board the Alpensia shuttle bus in front of Lotte Mart.
(Departure time: 09:00)
Round trip: Adult 28,000 won / Children 22,000 won
One-way: Adult 15,000 won / Children 12,000 won
* Be advise to booked the tickets in advanced!
Homepage: http://www.alpensiaresort.co.kr/EnSptsSkiIntro.gdc
Yongpyong, Gangwon-do, South Korea |
Yongpyong Resort, located on the ridge of Mt.Balwangsan with the “healthy” attitude of 700-1,500m above sea level along what is affectionately known as the “Alps of Korea”, is the first domestic ski resort opening in 1975. With average 250cm of snow each year you can enjoy skiing from November until April of the following year. Compared to other ski resorts, ski season is considerably longer. It is 215km from Seoul, and with the construction of a 4-lane highway, the travel time has been shortened to 2 hours. This is where the 1998 World Cup Ski Competition and the 1999 Gangwon Winter Asian Games were held. The Rainbow Red*Silver*Gold slopes have been authorized by the International Ski Federation (ISF). Also there are slopes for beginners such as the Yellow Run and the Pink Run, and the new Red Run and Green Run for intermediates. There are 18 slopes and 15 lifts in total, with a 3.7km long gondola which can accommodate 8 people at once. During the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, Yongpyong will host the snowboarding and alpine competitions. Yongpyong also widely known as a filming location of the famous drama ‘Winter Sonata,’ the ski resort is especially popular among tourists from Japan and other Asian countries.
Direction
From Hwenggye Bus Terminal Walk 80m towards Daegwallyeong Post office.
Take the free shuttle bus at the post office to Yongpyong Resort
The Schedule
5:20am, 6:20am, 7:20am, 8:00am, 08:30am, 09:40am, 12:00am,
2:00pm, 4:20pm, 5:40pm, 6:50pm, 8:00pm, 9:00pm,11:30pm
Homepage: http://www.yongpyong.co.kr/eng/index.asp
Jisan Forest Ski Resort, Icheon, South Korea |
Located in Icheon, Gyeonggi-do Province, Jisan Forest Resort is only 40 minutes away from Gangnam (south of Seoul), meaning that even when accommodations are booked, visitors can make a daytrip out to enjoy a fun-filled day of skiing. There are seven main ski slopes and 3 sub-slopes, all of which are open to both skiers and snowboarders. Thanks to the 5 high-speed lifts, there is no waiting in line, and there is even an escalator for children and beginners. The new 6-person lift is equipped with heated seats for a warm, comfortable ride. The resort offers nighttime skiing for businessmen and is also perfect for beginners, making it a great getaway for the entire family. Even though this particular resort is on the smaller side, it is packed with convenient facilities at affordable prices. The resort is a great value for the money and gives its visitors an affordable skiing experience without sacrificing quality.
Direction
- The Shuttle bus available every 20 minutes from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal.
Take this bus and get off at Icheon coach bus terminal.
Then take Bus No. 12 from Icheon and get off at Jisan Resort.( About 40 min )
- Take City Coach Bus No.9800 at Gangnam Station (exit No.7) or Yangjae Station(Yangjae bus station). (bus- 9:00~13:00 every hour/ 15:00/16:00/17:30/19:00/20:00)
Homepage: http://www.jisanresort.co.kr/eng/index.html
4. Phoenix Park Ski Resort: Snowboarder’s Paradise
Phoenix Park Ski Resort: Snowboarder’s Paradise |
Phoenix Park is located approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes from Seoul. It has become one of Korea’s most famous resort complexes since its appearance in the extremely popular drama ‘Winter Sonata’. Perched 700m up upon Mt. Taegisan (1,261 meters above sea level), Phoenix Park, though large, harmonizes well with the surrounding landscape without overpowering it. The resort has a total of seventeen slopes, four of which are approved by the FIS (International Ski Federation), and has superb snow quality. Particularly popular is the ‘Panorama Slope’, which is an impressive 2.2km long and has an average width of 46meters. Eight ski lifts, state-of-the-art gondolas, and six conveyer belts transport visitors around the park quickly and efficiently. In 2011, Phoenix Park continued to add to its facilities by completing competition venues for snow sports such as snowboarding and mogul skiing that will be used during the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. Phoenix Park Ski Resort is an environmentally friendly resort, created with the minimum possible disruption to surrounding nature.
Admission Fees
Type
|
Fees
|
Early morning Pass
|
41,000 won
|
Morning through Evening Pass
|
54,000 won
|
Early Morning & Morning Pass
|
59,000 won
|
Morning & Afternoon Pass
|
64,000 won
|
Early Morning through Afternoon Pass
|
69,000 won
|
Night Pass
|
38,000 won
|
White night Pass
|
48,000 won
|
Night & White night Pass
|
58,000 won
|
Afternoon & Evening Pass
|
80,000 won
|
Evening & Night Pass
|
71,000 won
|
Evening through White night Pass
|
79,000 won
|
Direction
- Take an intercity bus to Jangpyeong Intercity Bus Terminal.
Take a free shuttle bus from the bus terminal to Phoenix Park.
(Shuttle bus schedule: 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, 20:00 / Subject to change.)
- Seoul to Phoenix Park
Samseong Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), Exit 4. Bus stop is located behind Glass Tower.
(Departure time: 10:00)
- Sports Complex Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), Exit 1. (Departure time: 10:10)
* Reservations required
Homepage: http://www.phoenixpark.co.kr/global/english/
5. Daemyung Vivaldi Park: The Nighttime Skiing
Daemyung Vivaldi Park: The Nighttime Skiing |
Daemyung Vivaldi Park Ski World was the first ski resort in Korea to offer nighttime skiing and as such, has become a favorite among young skiers in their teens and twenties. Even the slope names (Hip-Hop, Techno, Funky, etc.) are geared towards young adults. Some of the more advanced slopes are uniquely designed with unexpected twists and turns for maximum thrills. For those who are new to winter sports, Daemyung Vivaldi Park Ski World provides the perfect setting to safely learn new skills, even offering skiing and snowboarding lessons for a small fee. There are a variety of slopes with difference inclines and distances to give new snow sport enthusiasts the perfect chance to gradually work their way up from the bunny slopes to more advanced courses. In all, Daemyung offers a total of 13 different slopes and 10 lifts. Moreover, the resort offers the utmost in convenience by providing condos directly connected to the ski slopes.
Admission Fees
Morning 08:30 - 13:00 - 45,000 won
Afternoon 12:30 - 17:00 - 50,000 won
Night 18:30 - 23:00 - 50,000 won
Late nignt 24:00 - 05:00 - 48,000 won
Day 08:30 - 17:00 - 64,000 won
New Day 10:30 - 17:00 - 58,000 won
Direction
- Take an intercity bus from Seoul Sangbong Bus Terminal (first bus: 06:40/last bus: 22:00) or from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (first 07:00/last 21:30) to Kangwon-do Hongcheon. From Hongcheon Intercity Bus Terminal, take a city bus bound for Daemyung Vivaldi Park (first bus: 06:00/last bus: 21:00/9 times a day, no fixed intervals)
- Seoul ->vivaldi park:
take shuttle bus at Asia Park near sports complex station (Seoul Subway Line 2) Exit #1
Departure time: weekdays 10:30/Friday :10:30, 19:00/Saturday 10:30, 15:00
- Vivaldi Park ->Seoul :
take Shuttle bus across the main center departure time : weekdays 15:00/ Friday 15:00/Saturday 13:00
Fares
one way(member fee) adults: 9,000 won/children: 6,000 won
round trip(member fee) adults: 16,000 won/ children: 9,000 won
*Reservation Required
Homepage: http://www.daemyungresort.com/asp/main.asp
About the equipment for ski and winter sports, you can easily rent from the rental shop in the ski resort! Wish you all happy new year 2012 and make most out of it in this winter vacation Korea Christmas! Get your airfares to Seoul now and Enjoy the 5 places must-go for ski and winter sports in South Korea.
Please do not hesitate to leave comments!
Popular Articles:
- 10 Places Must-Visit in Seoul, Korea
- 10 free things to do in South Korea
- Central of Entertainment for Traveler: South Korea
very nice looking
ReplyDeleteAmazing places - I had no idea there were so many opportunities for winter sports there!
ReplyDeleteI love all of the detail in this article. Very helpful!
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff...Looking forward to seeing the Winter Olympics in SK!
ReplyDeleteDaemyung Vivaldi Park looks great at night. I only recently learnt to ski and am keen to go again soon, but I think it's a bit too soon to try skiing in the dark
ReplyDeleteThese resorts look terrific!
ReplyDeleteA venue's website must contain detailed description of what facilities they offering. If you find nothing as they mentioned in their website you will automatically come to know their drawbacks.
ReplyDeletebeautiful and nice, looking so nice snowballing, snow riding is very interesting and heart touching game,
ReplyDeleteHey,
ReplyDeleteseems you know very well the snowboading area in Korea. Since I am working next week in Dalian in China, I am contemplating to catch a plane to ICN airport (Incheon?) for the weekend and enjoy 2 days of snow.
Do you know which resort is the most convenient from the airport or from Seoul?
Cheers,
J
Guys!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments.
Jerome,
Great to hear that you want to enjoy snow in Korea.
I suggest you go for YongPyong from Seoul.
>Take subway line 2 get off at Jamsil Station > go to exit gate #4 > walk straight to Lotte Mart > Daewon Express (Purple ski) Bus > to YongPyong
For more information, please visit http://www.yongpyong.co.kr/eng/trans/tr_sbus.asp
I hope it will be helpful :) There is also buses from Incheon, but no direct bust to the resort. You can ask at the airport information center for more details.
From Seoul is less complicated :)
Lex
Hi Lex! Is any of the above ski places available at the end of April?
DeleteHi! Thanks for your information. Do you have any recommended Ski Tour package?
ReplyDeletePlease send me an email :)
Deletemy tour schedule for South Korea is on Nov. 27 to Dec. 1, 2014, can we already visit Ski resorts on these dates
ReplyDeleteHi There,
DeleteUsually yes, you can start to skiing or snowboarding starting at the mid of November at the ski resort but it is also quite dependance on the weather.
You have to check with the ski resort regularly :)
Good luck and happy planning!
Lex
Hi Lex
ReplyDeleteYour 5 best places must-go for ski and winter sports in South Korea is very informative.
I am interested in going to Alpensia Resort. How long is the journey from Seoul to Alpensia?
Hi There,
DeleteThanks! It will take about 4 hours from Seoul to Alpensia. :)
Lex
Favorite post having such an fantastic and useful informative content. Describing good blogging concepts as well as basics that are very much useful in skilled content writing as well.
ReplyDeleteski rental salt lake
Hi can u recommend a nice place to try sking for the older kids n just snow play for a small toddler? So many ski resorts but only hv time for one. Appreciate u giving so much informative suggestions in this blog! It really helps planning...tqtq
ReplyDeleteSorry forgot this. We r visiting Korea end of Nov till first week Dec....Tq again
ReplyDeleteHi Sebbymom,
DeleteThanks, I really glad that it helps :)
I would suggest Jisan Forest Ski Resort since it is nearer to Seoul and good for beginner.
If you need help on planning, please email me :)
alextyl[a]gmail.com
Thanks!
Lex
Hi there, I'd be heading to seoul early December and will be staying at hongdae area.
ReplyDeleteI would like to do a day trip to the ski resort. I've never tried skiing.
May I know which resort is located closest to hongdae and is friendly for beginners?
Ski resort that nearest to Seoul are Daemyung Vivaldi Park and Jisan Ski Resort. They are also friendly for beginner as well. Hope you will have a great winter sports in South Korea!
Deletehi, all hotel at alpensia is full, what other alternative do i have?
ReplyDeleteYou could try on Jisan Forest Ski Resort or Daemyung Vivaldi Park :)
ReplyDeleteHopefully you managed it :)
Lex
SUCH A NICE PLACES TO VISIT .. I WILL LOVE TO VISIT THERE
ReplyDeleteoNE DAY I WILL VISIT ALL THE PLACES
ReplyDelete