Winter in South Korea - Ski Resorts in South Korea

Winter in South Korea

Winter in South Korea started from the month of December through to February with January being the coldest month in winter. I visited South Korea (mainly staying in Seoul and made day trips out of Seoul) in January 2016. While it hadn't snowed, the temperature is around the region of 5℃ on average. Coupled with the chilling wind, it made winter in South Korea felt colder. When it comes to winter, one of the things that comes to one's mind is hitting the ski resorts in South Korea. South Korea might not be the top choice for ski holidays, especially when Hokkaido in the neighbouring Japan has long been "the"choice for skiing". South Korea with its geography make up, especially in Gangwon-do where Winter Olympics in 2018 will be held in the city of Pyeongchang, is blessed with powder snow comparable with those found in Hokkaido. The world-class skiing facilities here is a fraction of the prices compared to neighbouring countries, allowing holidaymakers and professional skiers enjoy skiing and fun at the ski resorts without breaking their bank. There are a total of 16 ski resorts in South Korea. 14 of which found in the north part of the country spreading across the provinces of Gangwon-do and Gyeonggi-do. Half of the ski resorts in South Korea are located in Gangwon-do. With the Baekdudaegan Mountain ranges running through, the province of Gangwon-do receives the most snow annually. Of the Ski Resorts in South Korea, here are 3 that one can check out while planning a winter trip to South Korea.

Location of the 16 Ski Resorts in South Korea

Location of the Ski Resorts in Gangwan-do

High1 Ski Resort

High1 Ski Resort is one of South Korea's leading Ski Resort and is the only resort in South Korea that is located in the mountains. The ski resort features over 21 km of slopes within a 4,986,775㎡area. High1 Ski Resort has 18 ski slopes catering to all levels of expertise in skiing. All of the slopes are at least 1.5 km in length and the longest slope stretches for 4.2 km.  The resort offers 5 slopes for beginners, 11 intermediate slopes and 2 expert slopes. The resort has three 8-person gondolas, one that takes visitors from the entrance of the resort to the midpoint of the resort, and another that takes visitors from the midpoint to the peak of Mt Jijansan, and yet another one that takes visitors from the peak of Mt Jijansan along the mountain range to High1 Hotel. There are activities available for visitors who do not ski in High1 Ski Resort, ranging from sledding to gondola rides. There is even a casino in High1 Ski Resort, the largest casino in South Korea.

High1 Ski Resort slope map

Gondola station on the peak of Mt Jijansan

Non-skiers can take a gondola up to Mt Jijansan and enjoy the spectacular views

One of the slopes in High1 Ski Resort. I took this picture while riding the gondola up to the midpoint of the resort

Some of the accommodation available in High1 Ski Resort

High1 Ski Resort Mountain Ski House

Mountain Ski House where one can take the gondola up to mountaintop

Me with Mountain Ski House in the background

One of the slopes in High1 Ski Resort

I visited High1 Ski Resort in Jan 2017 during my trip to South Korea. Back then, I was looking for a ski resort that has sledging as both my friend and I had never skied in our lives before and would like to try if we can find an instructor to teach us. We wanted a ski resort that has sledding and something to else to do. A search on the trusty Google leads us to High1 Ski Resort. Located some three hours by KTX from Seoul, High1 Ski Resort seems like a good choice for us. Other than the ski slopes, there is a small sledding slope and a gondola system that would take us up to the peak of Mt Jijansan. While we did not manage to learn skiing or take the gondola to the peak of Mt Jijansan when we were there, nonetheless we still had fun with sledding in High1 Ski Resort.

My friend on a sled getting ready to slide down the slope

Me and my friend sitting on the sled getting ready to slide down the slope

My friend with the sled after a session down the slope

Us getting ready to slide down the slope on a sled for the Nth number of times

My friend and I at the foreground of the Mountain Ski House in High1 Ski Resort

Phoenix Park

Phoenix Park PyeongChang is perched 700m up upon Mt. Taegi (1,261 m above sea level), this ski resort is large and harmonizes well with the surrounding landscape. The resort is equipped with world-class facilities, making it an excellent choice to be designated as one of the venues for the upcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympics in 2018. Phoenix Park has a unique vast base of 500m that which the courses converge to. The ski resort has 21 ski courses within a 3,978,575㎡ area.  Of the 21 ski courses, 7 cater for beginners, 10 for intermediate skiers and 4 for expert skiers. There is also a dedicated 90m sled slope for non-skiers to enjoy the natural beauty that Mt Taegi offers. This sled slope is fenced up so sledders can have fun sledding down the slope without worries. For those who wanted to learn skiing, Phoenix Park has a ski school that provides a one-stop service that includes rental of skiing equipment Phoenix Park PyeongChang has a renowned snowboarding park complete with a halfpipe, tabletop, round quarter, and rails. The park also has 8-person gondolas and a system of 8 lifts. Phoenix Park PyeongChang is located less than 2 hours from Seoul, making it a perfect destination for a day skiing trip. Come February 2018, Phoenix Park will turn into the event venue for freestyle skiing and snowboarding events of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Visitors can pay a visit to Phoenix Park and get themselves immense in the adrenaline of live actions during the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.

Phoenix Park Ski Slope Map

On top of Mont Blanc in Phoenix Park Resort

At the base of Phoenix Park Resort

The 90m sledding slope in Phoenix Park Resort

YongPyong Resort

YongPyong Resort is the most popular ski resort in South Korea is also the largest in the country. It is located in the centre of the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range, just a little over 2 hours from Seoul. The ski resort boasts a total of 28 ski slopes within a massive 16,200,000㎡ area. Of the 28 ski slopes, 10 caters to beginners, 7 to intermediate skiers and 11 for expert ski slopes. With such a large selection, one will be able to find a slope that one is comfortable in skiing on. Due to the geographic location, YongPyong sees an average of 250 cm of snow every year, making this resort the best place for skiing in South Korea. There are a total of 15 ski lifts that connects visitors to the various parts of the ski slope in the resort. YongPyong also caters facilities for non-skiers. For visitors who want to do sledding, YongPyong has a 200 m long three-lane sledging slope that is guaranteed to provide hours of fun for non-skiers. On top of these, visitors to YongPyong should cater some time for the gondola tour, which stretches over Asia's longest course of 7.4 km offering visitors a breathtaking view of Balwangsan Mountain. As a pioneering venue of skiing in South Korea, YongPyong naturally will also be an event venue for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. The resort will host Alpine Skiing events during the games in February 2018.

YongPyong Ski Slope Map

The ski slopes in YongPyong Ski Resort

The 200m sled slope in YongPyong ski resort

Visitors can take the gondola for breathtaking views around YongPyong Ski Resort 

Celebrating 10 Years of Korea Plaza In Singapore

Korea Plaza Turns 10

What is Korea Plaza

During one of our meetups, the Director of Korean Plaza in Singapore invited all the PyeongChang Winter Olympics Supporters in Singapore for the 10th Birthday celebration of Korea Plaza in Singapore. For those who do not know the existence of Korea Plaza, it is located in Samsung Hub along Church Street. For those who are travelling to Korea, Korea Plaza has tons of information and brochures on different parts of Korea to aid one in the planning of their Korea trip. At times there are brochures for visitors which offer great discounts on attractions and transport to be used in Korea. I have been to Korea Plaza several times when I was planning my trip to Korea last year and have found valuable information on the places that I visited.

Korea Plaza in Singapore

Korea Plaza is more than a place for travel information about Korea. One can learn more about the Korean culture in Korea Plaza and even experience wearing the traditional costume - Hanbok in Korea Plaza. One can join Wah! Korea Club  (join from the link here: http://bit.ly/JOINWAH) for free and take part in the Korean Cultural activities each month in the premises of Korea Plaza. There are classes such as Basic Korean Language for travellers, Korean cuisine classes for making of Kimchi, Tteokbokki, Bibimbap that members of Wah! Korea Club can sign up for. 

Wah! Korea Club

Korea Plaza Anniversary Event

On 25 Nov, my friend and I checked out the 10th year anniversary event in Korea Plaza. To promote the upcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympics in 2018, there is a huge poster in Korea Plaza promoting the event. Most of the activities in the 10th-anniversary event are also linked to the Winter Olympics. There is a station where one experience Ski Jumping on the VR machine. I tried the VR and it is very realistic, feel as though I was doing the Ski Jumping. Another station that is popular with attendees of the event is the Hit the Olympic Date Station, where one stand to win a pair of the PyeongChang Olympic Mascots if one manages to stop the buzzer on 9 or 10 Feb, when the Winter Olympics opens. Other than these activities, we had our turn in wearing of the Hanbok, something that we did not even do when my friend and I visited Korea last year.

Korea Plaza 10 Anniversary Celebration

My friend and I with the poster for PyeongChang Winter Olympics 2018

My friend won the last pair of PyeongChang Olympics Mascot plush toy while playing "Hit the Olympic Date" game. Everyone at the event applauded for him for winning this last set.

Me in a Hanbok. I look funny in it

My friend and I in Hanboks during the event

My friend and I in Hanbok

We were also treated to Korean Street food during the event. Of the food, I liked the Tteokbokki the most. It is flavourful but not overly spicy, and the rice cakes are cooked to perfection, not too hard and not too soft. Other than Tteokbokki other street food such as Kimbap and Eomukguk is also available. During the event, there is a lady who calligraphies one's name in the Korean Language. My friend and I had our names calligraphed in the Korean language. The event ended with a lucky draw for visitors who attended the event.

Tteokbokki

Kimbap

Eomukguk

This lady was writing our names in the Korean Language

I won this pair of PyeongChang Winter Olympics sunglass by The Northface during the lucky draw

Special PyeongChang Korail Pass

Speaking of travelling in Korea, the Korean railway company - Korail has recently launched a special Korail Pass. To commemorate the upcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympics, foreigners visiting Korea can purchase the special PyeongChang Korail Pass. The pass can be used on all trains throughout Korea unlimited times between 1 Feb to 25 Mar 18. This is a great way of saving money on transport during one's travel in Korea. The pass is valid for purchase until 10 Jan 18. There are 5-day and 7-day pass options available and prices starting from 168,000 won for an adult pass. One can even reserve seats on the Korail network up to 30 days in advance. More information on this special PyeongChang Korail Pass can be found at http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TRP/TP_ENG_8_4.jsp. The PyeongChang Korail Pass can be purchased at www.letskorail.com/pyeongchang.

The Special PyeongChang Korail Pass comes in 5 or 7 days ticket 

Korail in Winter

Chiang Mai Day 4 (12 Nov 17) - Last Stop of Our Trip: Shopping in Warorot Market

Shopping in a Local Market - Warorot Market

Today is our final day in Chiang Mai. Our flight leaves Chiang Mai at 5pm and since we have a few hours to kill, we headed for Warorot Market after breakfast. Warorot Market is located around 7 mins walk from the hotel we were staying along the night bazaar street. Warorot Market comprises of 2 buildings on either side of the main road, selling similar goods. The market seems like a place where locals visit to get their daily needs. The stalls in the 3-storey Warorot Market are arranged in a rather systematic manner. Most of the stalls on the ground floor sell food items as well as a section where one can find eateries. At the centre of the ground floor is where fresh food items are being sold. The second and third level of Warorot Market is occupied by stalls selling clothing, shoes and bags. I find more locals visiting this market then tourists. There are more shops around the main building of Warorot Market, making this a great place for visitors to get last minute souvenirs before heading home. We could have spent hours shopping for souvenirs in Warorot Market, however as we have a plane to catch, we had to head back to the hotel and get ready for our flight home.

Warorot Market is a market that serves mainly locals 

Such shops selling clothing are a common sight in Warorot Market

More shops selling clothes in Warorot Market

A section of Warorot Market selling fresh produce

The centre of Warorot Market on the ground floor sells mainly fresh produce

Warorot Market

Time to Bide Chiang Mai Goodbye

We left for the airport at around 3pm, in time for our flight home. I find people in Chiang Mai are friendlier and more patient as compared to their counterparts in Bangkok. The pace of life is slower here as well. The streets of Chiang Mai is cleaner and the prices of things in Night Market is lower than Bangkok. Chiang Mai is a place where even the locals, especially those from Bangkok visit to get a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. Even the air is fresher in Chiang Mai. There are beautiful sceneries and spectacular waterfalls in Chiang Mai, which I did not manage to visit. Perhaps the next time if I return to this northern city of Thailand, my focus will be more of nature.

Having a glass of mocktail before we depart Chiang Mai in the hotel

Departure drinks from the hotel

Driving towards the airport

Chiang Mai International Airport

Some very last minute shopping in the airport 

Waiting to board our aircraft

The bird that will bring us home

Taxiing to runway

Flying past Doi Suthep

Doi Suthep and city of Chiang Mai

Bye bye Chiang Mai