Skiing and Snowboarding in Korea: Resort Guide

Pyeongchang resorts gained international recognition from the 2018 Olympics. Alpensia and Yongpyong hosted Olympic events and offer quality terrain. Yongpyong is the larger resort with more runs; Alpensia is more modern and upscale. Both are accessible from Seoul in under 2 hours by car or bus. Vivaldi Park (Daemyung Resort) is the most accessible from Seoul—about 90 minutes—making it popular for day trips. The terrain suits beginners and intermediates. Weekend crowds can be significant. High1 Resort offers Korea's longest runs and reliable snow at its high elevation. It's further from Seoul (3+ hours) but worth it for more serious skiers. The attached casino complex makes it a destination. Muju Deogyusan in the south is often overlooked by tourists. It has excellent terrain and lower crowds than Gangwon Province resorts.

Korean resorts run later than Western counterparts. Night skiing until 10 PM or midnight is standard. Some resorts offer 'early bird' sessions from 6 AM and 'late night' sessions until 2-4 AM. This scheduling reflects Korean work culture—people ski after work, driving from Seoul for evening sessions. For visitors, it means maximizing limited vacation time and avoiding peak afternoon crowds. Lighting quality on Korean slopes is excellent. The investment in night skiing infrastructure means visibility is rarely an issue. The experience skiing under lights with city views in the distance is distinctly Korean. Temperatures drop significantly at night. The -15°C to -20°C range is common in January and February. Dress warmer than you would for daytime skiing.

Rental equipment at Korean resorts is modern and well-maintained. Full packages (skis/board, boots, poles) are standard. Helmets are increasingly available. Quality rivals Western rentals. Clothing rental is also common—ski jackets and pants are available at most resorts. This caters to visitors from warm climates and those who ski too rarely to justify owning gear. Lift tickets are structured differently than in Western resorts. Options include 4-hour, 8-hour, day, and night sessions. Combining a day session with a night session gives you significant slope time. English support varies. Major resorts serving international tourists (Yongpyong, Alpensia) have English signage and staff. Smaller or domestic-focused resorts may require basic Korean or prepared translations.

Shuttle buses run from Seoul to major resorts during winter season. Book through resort websites or tour companies. One-day packages including transportation and lift tickets are common. For more flexibility, rental cars work well. Korean highways are excellent, and resort parking is adequate. Be prepared for snow chains—rental companies provide them. Accommodation at resorts ranges from basic dormitory-style rooms (in resort complexes like Yongpyong's Dragon Plaza) to luxury hotels (Alpensia Intercontinental). Pensions (Korean vacation rentals) near resorts offer mid-range options. Nearby towns like Gangneung provide cheaper accommodation with authentic local food. The drive to slopes adds 30-45 minutes but gives you a different experience than resort-based stays.