Skiing in South Korea — Top 5 best ski resorts in Korea

South Korea is not only a charming location in the autumn with a carpet of fallen yellow and red leaves on the ground, a romantic location in the spring with the beautiful, clear, blue sky and cherry trees blossoming all over the streets, but it is also a winter paradise for travelers who want to touch the snow and experience the enjoyable Winter sports that are rarely found in the tropical countries. Let’s explore some great skiing locations in Korea (Skiing in South Korea) with the top 5 finest ski resorts in Korea and the best ski resorts near Seoul you should not miss when visiting South Korea in winter.

Coming to South Korea in Winter and you will see the snow coverings all over the place, from the ground, the tree, to the rooftop of the houses and buildings,… The white snow will definitely make you enjoy your trip to South Korea a lot.

Winter in South Korea typically lasts from November to March; the chilly temperature of this season will be ideal for eating traditional Korean grilled meals, relaxing in hot mineral baths, and, most notably, experiencing skiing – a speciality that is difficult to obtain in Vietnam.

So, if you still don’t know where to go for the approaching Tet holiday, or if you’re searching for a location to begin a great new year, then accompany us on our adventure in South Korea below to list some of the exceptional skiing areas that visitors should visit in the winter.

1. Which areas (places, resorts) are suitable for skiing?

People typically think of Gangwon when they think of skiing since there are numerous contemporary and pleasant skiing resorts with many skiing slopes for everyone, from beginners to professionals.

Furthermore, the Gangwon skiing resorts are very close to Seoul, making it relatively simple to reach this region through public transportation, or the resorts in Gangwon offer shuttle bus service from Seoul to visitors who wish to visit.

Gangwon has also been picked to host the 2018 Olympic Games. So, if you’re weary of shopping in Seoul, consider going skiing in Gangwon on your next holiday! Furthermore, because Gangwon has been selected as the location for the 2018 Winter Olympics, its sliding terrains are unquestionably ideal.

2. Best skiing destinations in Gangwon

Vivaldi Park Ski World

Address: 262, Hanchigol-gil, Seo-myeon, Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon-do

This park is owned by the Daemyung Resort and is one of the first parks to be open all night to serve both residents and guests. There are around 13 sliders and several slopes appropriate for all levels of skiers, from beginners to professionals. That is why, for the past seven years, this park has been the most popular skiing destination in South Korea.

How to get there

Departure: From Seoul, go to Sangbong Station or Dong Seoul Station, take the bus to Hongcheon Station, then from Hongcheon Station, take the 70-1 bus or 70-2 bus to Vivaldi Park Ski World. It takes more than 2 hours to travel from Seoul to Vivaldi Park Ski World.

Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort

Address: 688 Bukhangangbyeon-gil, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do

This is the resort that is closest to Seoul’s center. By metro, it usually takes a little more than an hour to travel to Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort. This resort offers ten various levels of slopes based on the ability of skiers, so whether you’re a skilled skier or not, this area will surely let you enjoy your skiing experience.

How to get there

If you have got a T-money card, you can go to Sangbong station to take a subway to Baegyangri station to get to Elysian Gangchon (If you have not bought T-Money card, you should buy it right away because, with this divine card, you can travel by bus around Seoul, to Busan or to Jeju extremely conveniently.

Yongpyong Ski Resort

Address: 30 Yongsan-ri, Daegwalnyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do

If you are an experienced skier, you will fall in love with the Yongpyong Ski Resort at first sight. There are 28 slopes, some of which are difficult even for pros (and if you slip, try Mega Green slider), and the snow here is quite thick (about 2.5m). This is South Korea’s largest skiing region.

Or if you are a fan of Korean dramas, like the “Winter Sonata”, you definitely have to come here at least once to witness the beautiful filming location of this movie. The Yongpyong here is also considered by many people as the Alps of Korea.

Hansol Valley Oak

Address: 58, Oak Valley 2-Gil, Jijeong-myeon, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do

The Hansol Oak Valley is definitely a top choice if you are traveling with your family and especially with young children, because of the gentle slopes and especially the slopes for children in this skiing destination.

How to get there

Bus: Take the bus from Dong Seoul Station or Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Wonju. After coming to the Wonju Intercity / Express Bus Terminal, catch the shuttle bus to Hansol Oak.

Train: Take a train from Cheongnyangni station to Wonju station. And, from Wonju station, take the shuttle bus to Hansol Oak.

3. What to prepare for going skiing in Korea

Skiing equipment, such as skis, ski suits, and so on, must be rented at the ski resorts. So you’ll simply need to pack warm garments, but they must be lightweight, such as the heat-tech shirt available at Uniqlo, which is lightweight but still quite warm.

If it is okay to stop by the supermarkets (eMart, Lotte Mart), remember to buy thermal underwear (in the underwear area in the supermarket), leather gloves (waterproof), socks,… which will make it more convenient for you when skiing.