Darren YeohA magical winter escape to South Korea is surely one of the most popular bucket list experiences for many travellers, especially in Singapore. Just imagine: snowy fields, chilly winter weather, and a plethora of the most amazing ski resorts where you can let loose and take a temporary breather from your daily routine. Ah, such bliss!
If you’re wondering where to travel to for your ski adventure in South Korea, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here’s a list of the six best ski resorts in South Korea for a memorable winter getaway!
Also read: Winter in Korea: 9 Magical Experiences For a Snowy Getaway to Remember
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Ready to book that dream ski trip to South Korea? Then make sure to check out the best winter deals in Korea this season! It’s your chance to experience the most unique Korean attractions, tours, and sports: from adrenaline-pumping ski trips to relaxed explorations of picturesque cities. |
Best time to go skiing in South Korea
The best time to hit the snowy slopes of South Korea is between December and February, which often coincides with the height of winter season. It’s also during this time that the country experiences heavy snowfall. This creates the perfect conditions for skiing, snowboarding, and plenty of other winter sporting activities!
Best ski resorts in South Korea
1. Alpensia Ski Resort
Alpensia Ski Resort is undoubtedly one of the most popular ski resorts in South Korea, thanks to its reputation not only as a world-class sporting venue (the resort hosted the ski jumping and bobsleigh events of the 2018 Winter Olympics), but also for being featured in some of South Korea’s most memorable movies, such as the 2009 film, Take Off.
The resort features a multitude of exciting slopes with varying angles of steepness that are suitable for both beginners and experienced skiers. For guests who don’t own their own ski equipment, fret not — the resort offers ski equipment rental services, as well as a ski lift that brings you right to the heart of the action.
In addition to skiing and having fun in the snow, one can also spend a day at the indoor water park and explore the whimsical Odaesan National Park, where avid Korean drama fans can find Woljeongsa Temple and the iconic fir tree forest which was featured in the uber popular K-Drama, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.
2. Phoenix Pyeongchang
Like Alpensia Ski Resort, Phoenix Pyeongchang was one of the main venues of the 2018 Winter Olympics. This popular destination, located 700m above sea level in the pristine highlands region of Gangwon, offers a multifaceted vacation experience, punctuated by mesmerising alpine views on gondola rides, classy hotels and condos, a fun water park, and its famous Phoenix Snow Park, the main highlight of the resort.
The Phoenix Snow Park is the fourth largest ski park in South Korea and features 21 slopes suitable for both beginners and experts. One thing you’ll notice about the slopes at Phoenix Snow Park is the unrivalled quality of the snow and freestyle ski trails. No wonder then that it was hand-picked as the main location of the 2018 Winter Olympics’ snowboarding and freestyle skiing events!
If you’ve never skied before in your life and you’d like to learn how to enjoy the snowy slopes, fret not because Phoenix Park now has its own complete training package, specially designed for families! You’ll get a two-hour private lesson from expert instructors before you get to ski or snowboard down the winding slopes!
3. Yongpyong Resort
Another one of the famous ski resorts in South Korea is Yongpyong Resort, the country’s very first and largest ski resort, known by locals as “Korea’s Ski Mecca” for its incredible slopes. Like the previous two ski resorts in South Korea, Yongpyong Resort was also one of the venues of the 2018 Winter Olympics!
The resort itself is located around 700m above sea level, with annual snowfall of about 250cm, offering the perfect conditions for skiing amidst picturesque mountain scenery. This massive ski paradise features 28 different slopes, scenic gondola rides, and even a golf course. The most popular ski course here is undoubtedly the Rainbow Paradise course, which features a 5.6km-long trail, the second-longest slope in the country!
In addition to the wide array of snow and winter activities, Yongpyong Resort is also known for having classy European-style accommodations, such as MONA YONGPYONG which is located at the eastern edge of Asia! In addition, some of the locations in Yongpyong Resort have also been featured in popular Korean dramas like Winter Sonata and Guardian: The Lonely and Great God! In short, it is the perfect all-in-one destination for both ski enthusiasts and K-Drama fans!
4. High1 Resort
Speaking of Hallyu-famous ski resorts in South Korea, fans of the K-Pop idol group BTS will recognise the picturesque mountains of High1 Resort for sure. After all, it was here that the famous boyband shot their 2021 Winter Package! But beyond being the setting of BTS’ photoshoot, High1 Resort is also a luxury ski paradise in its own right.
Situated along the Taebaek Mountains, the resort offers some of the most magical winter scenery in South Korea. In terms of skiing, this premium resort not only features 18 mesmerising ski trails (totaling 21km), but also houses a ski academy that also caters to differently-abled visitors. Let’s not forget the whimsical gondola rides that offer stunning views of the snow-covered landscapes below!
For non-skiers, High1 Resort offers a wealth of other experiences too. In particular, the luxurious High1 Water World is known for being home to Korea’s tallest megaton wave pool (at 3m tall!) and for its pristine location in the forest. Guests can also pamper themselves at the five-star High1 Grand Hotel.
5. Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort
While most of South Korea’s top ski resorts are found in Gangwon Province, there are also lesser-known winter gems that are easily accessible from Seoul. One such example is the Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort, which travellers can get to either via subway from Sangbong Station or by shuttle bus.
While the resort isn’t as large as the others on this list so far (it has 10 slopes), it is the ideal ski paradise for beginners as most of its slopes are much more gentle and suitable for new learners, including children. In fact, the resort is known for its ski lessons and bunny slopes, making this the perfect place for some family fun!
For something a little more exciting, you can also try ice climbing at the resort, or if you’re up for some photo hunting, head to the nearby Nami Island (a 40-minute train ride away) for some spectacular winter scenery.
6. Sono Felice Vivaldi Park
Finally, for those who want a more budget-friendly option when it comes to ski resorts in South Korea, check out Sono Felice Vivaldi Park, a popular ski paradise that’s only an hour and a half away from Seoul.
However, don’t let its reputation as a wallet-friendly ski paradise fool you — this ski resort is known for its ambient ski courses, complete with state-of-the-art facilities, that offer romantic night ski trips. Some eagle-eyed K-Drama fans may even recognise the resort as the one featured in shows such as Legend of the Blue Sea and That Winter, The Wind Blows.
For families travelling with young children, Vivaldi Park is also an ideal choice for a getaway because it houses Snowy Land, a popular theme park that’s known for child-friendly snow activities.
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Ready to book that dream ski trip to South Korea? Don’t miss the rare opportunity to make your vacation your most memorable one yet. Get awesome tour ideas for your winter in Korea here! Plus, you can score some awesome deals too and make that trip a little easier on the wallet. |
Brought to you by Korea Tourism Organization. All images are credited to Korea Tourism Organization.
