The Best Places to Go Skiing in South Korea

As the biggest ski resort in Korea, Yongpyong Ski Resort boasts 28 slopes for just about every level. Among them, the Rainbow is the highest at 1,210 meters, and, thanks to its multiple intersections, is perhaps the most fun in the entire country. The 700-meter-long Mega Green, meanwhile, is one of the widest in Korea, and thus is very popular with beginners. The slopes at the resort receive approximately 250 centimeters of snowfall per year, which means it is able to operate slightly longer than the typical ski season. Yongpyong Resort will host the alpine competitions at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

Selected as a venue for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, Phoenix Park is nestled in the heart of Pyeongchang, Korea’s major winter sports hub. The resort is home to more than 20 slopes – a number of which are approved by the FIS (International Ski Federation) – and is renowned for its fantastic snow quality, not to mention its “Snowboard Park,” which features a half-pipe, tabletop, round quarter, and rails. Phoenix also prides itself on being an environmentally friendly facility and makes a conscious effort to minimize its footprint on the surrounding natural environment. The shuttle bus that departs from Samseong and Jamsil Sports Complex Stations in Seoul takes approximately two hours to reach the resort.

Although the slopes at the relatively new High1 Resort are not as exhilarating as those at Pheonix or Yongpyong, High1 is still favorited by ski enthusiasts for two reasons. First, it has the highest altitude (1,345 meters) of all of Korea’s ski resorts, which also means it has plenty of clean, powdery snow. Furthermore, all of the resort’s slopes start from the top of the mountain, so even beginner and intermediate skiers can enjoy longer courses.

Jisan is perhaps best known for its summer rock festival, but it is also home to the Jisan Forest Ski Resort. Equipped with everything one might expect from a Korean ski resort, Jisan Forest boasts seven main ski slopes and three sub-slopes, all of which are open to both skiers and snowboarders. And, thanks to its five high-speed lifts (which are all equipped with seat warmers!), there is no waiting in line, and there is even an escalator for children and beginners. Situated a quick 40-minute drive from Gangnam, the resort makes for the perfect day trip from Seoul.

As the first ski resort in the country to offer nighttime skiing, Vivaldi Park Ski World has since its opening become a favorite resort for younger skiers. Even the creative names of the slopes – Hip-Hop, Techno, Funky – are targeted toward visitors in their twenties and thirties. Many of Vivaldi’s advanced slopes are uniquely engineered with surprising twists and turns for adrenaline-pumping excitement. Beginners, too, are able to enjoy a variety of slopes and can work their way up from the bunny slopes to the more advanced courses. Don’t miss the nearby Vivaldi Park Ocean World, a spa that is perfect for relaxing after a day on the slopes.

Situated in the mountains approximately 700 meters above sea level, Alpensia Ski Resort is beloved for its excellent snow quality and breathtaking landscapes. Offering a total of six slopes with various courses for all levels, the resort can accommodate up to 3,000 visitors at once. As the central venue for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, Alpensia has recently garnered a great deal of attention from both the national and international winter sports communities. The resort is presently furnished with competition venues for ski jumping, cross-country skiing, and biathlon events, and will soon feature luge, bobsled, and skeleton facilities.

Limiting its daily admission to 7,000 visitors, Konjiam Resort is a great spot to avoid the long lift lines and excessive crowds that are commonplace at other ski resorts around Korea. This, along with its close proximity to Seoul, has made it popular with those who want to get in a few hours of skiing over the weekend, or even early in the morning. The downside, however, is that the resort makes use of smaller mountains, which means shorter slopes and artificial snow.