Ski Resorts in Seoul

There are currently eleven ski resorts in Korea. The ski season is rather short,generally between mid-December and early March. If the season is mild most resorts have facilities for artificial snow. Toward late February conditions tend to be wet and slushy by mid-morning, so go early in the day. There are a lot of beginners on the slopes, so it is advisable to be cautious and certainly keep an eye on who is coming down behind you.

The real challenge to enjoying skiing is to avoid the traffic jams leaving and returning to Seoul. For daytrips, Saturday or Sunday mornings are generally good. If you venture further, it is worth making a long weekend of it. However, beware of Sunday night traffic returning to Seoul - it is to be avoided at all costs! If driving is not for you, you can catch an express bus or fly.

Resort facilities are good, new resorts have opened and existing ones have improved their facilities. All the resorts, except The Alps, are a short drive from a major arterial road. As a safety precaution it is advisable to carry chains. Accommodations vary from hostels, self-contained condominiums, to hotel accommodation with a choice of sleeping on the floor or a double bed. Most resorts have a supermarket, restaurants, bowling, electronic games and night skiing.

Muju (With Webcams)

• Getting There: Muju is located in Mt. Deokyu National Park , 4 hours drive south of Seoul.
• Vertical Drop: 810m
• Top Elevation: 1,520m/3,986'
• Lifts: 12 (1 gondola)
• Trails: 30
• Information (resort): +82 (657) 324-9000
• Information ( Seoul ): +82 (2) 515-1101

Muju offers for lodging 1 five-star hotel and 13 units of condominium style lodging and 1 youth hostel for a total of 15 separate buildings with 1510 rooms and an overnight capacity of approximately 6800 people.

Yangji Pine Resort

Definaltely the closest resort to Seoul, just 40 minutes outside of Seoul in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, this resort has a good mix of beginner and advanced slopes amidst luxuriant forests.

• Getting There: Yangji is 60 km (37 miles) from Seoul
• Driving time is about 50 minutes.
• Lifts: 6 (4 chairs, 2 J-bars) Trails: 7
• Lift fees: 46,000 won for a full day Rental fees: 28,000 won for a full day
• Hours: 09:00-17:00 for a full day. Half day and nighttime packages available

Yong Pyeong ( Dragon Valley ) (With Webcams)

Korea's "Skiing Mecca," Yongpyong hosted the World Cup Ski Competition in 1998 and 2000 andthe Winter Asian Games in 1999.

• Getting There: Yong Pyeong is located at the foot of Palwang Mountain , 215 km (134 miles) east of Seoul.
• Driving time is 3.5 to 5 hours.
• Vertical Drop: 1,340m Top Elevation: 1,750m
• Lifts: 16 (14 chairs, 2 T-bars) Trails: 13
• Season: Mid November - Mid March
• Information (resort): +82 (0) 33 335 5757
• Lift fees: 50,000 won for a full day Rental fees: 20,000 won for a full day.
• Hours: 08:30-16:30 for a full day. Half day and nighttime packages available.
• Getting there: Shuttle bus service is available from Jamsil and Sports Complex stations (Line 2).

Bears Town

Located an hour outside of Seoul in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, this resort has slopes for both beginners and advanced skiers.

• Lessons are available.
• Lift fees: 46,000 won for a full day Rental
• Fees: 30,000 won for a full day.
• Hours: 10:00-12:00,14:00-16:00 for a full day. Half day and nighttime packages available
• Getting there: Take lldong-bound bus from Seoul's Sangbong Intercity Bus Terminal. Get off atNaechon Stn. and take a 2-minute taxi ride to the resort.

Hyundai Sungwoo

• Getting There: 1.5 to 2 hours from Seoul (depending on traffic).
• Lifts: 5 (1 gondola, 4 chairs) Information (resort): +82 (372) 40-3000 Information (Seoul): +82 (2) 523-7111

Phoenix Park

A complete leisure town built in Pyeongchang County, Gangwon Province, this place features some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the country, with snowboarders in particular enjoying tremendous vistas 1,500 meters above sea level.

• Getting There: Phoenix Park ski area is located 140 km from Seoul. Travel time is about 2 hours by car or bus.
• Vertical Drop: 500m Top Elevation: 1050m
• Lifts: 9 (1 gondola, 6 chairs, 2 surface)
• Trails: 12 Snowboards: Yes/park/halfpipe

Jisan Forest Resort

Also located nearby Seoul, this resort in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province is located in a beautiful pine forest. It has six slopes for beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers, as well as a special course for couples.

• Lift fees: 40,000 won for a full day
• Rental fees: 30,000 won for a full day
• Hours: 09:00-16:30 for a full day. Half day and nighttime packages available
• Getting there: Take the Icheon-bound bus from Seoul's Dong Seoul Bus terminal. From Icheon Bus Terminal, take bus No. 12. A shuttle bus service is also available

Seoul Ski Resort (Korean language website only)

As its name would suggest, this resort on the outskirts of Seoul in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province makes for a perfect skiing daytrip. Comes with all the amenities you'd expect from a ski resort.

• Lift fees: 40,000 won for a full day Rental fees: 21,000 won for a full day.
• Hours: 09:00-17:00 for a full day. Half day and nighttime packages available
• Getting there: Take the 1130 bus from in front of the Hyundai Core (near Cheongnyangni Stn.) and get off at Seoul Resort Stn.

Alps Resort (Korean language website only)

The northernmost ski resort in Korea, this resort gets the most snowfall of any Korean ski resort and enjoys the longest skiing season. Located near Korea's beautiful Seorak Mountains.

• Lift fees: 48,000 won for a full day Rental fees: 28,000 won for a full day
• Hours: 09:00-16:30 for a full day. Half day and nighttime packages available.
• Getting There: North of Mt. Sorak National Park , 25 km (16 miles) from the port city of Sokch'o. About 5 hours drive from Seoul.
• Lifts: 5 (4 chairs, 1 surface) Trails: 8
• Night Skiing: Yes
• Season: December - March