The 2016 Korean Ski Season is Here—Head to Gangwon-do’s Silver World for High-Speed Thrills

▲High 1 Resort Ski Area. (Photo / fromthe Korea Tourism Organizationofficial website; the same applies below)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Winter is approaching, and ski resorts across Korea have begun opening one after another. Want to head to a silver world of snow, skiing, and snowboarding? This year, the resorts are opening over 20 days earlier than usual. The 2016 ski season kicks off today, so if you’re looking to ski this winter, head to Korea now!

The Korea Tourism Organization reports that major ski resorts in the Gangwon-do region are beginning to open one after another, allowing visitors to enjoy a variety of winter sports. Thanks to Korea’s ski resorts offering slopes for all levels and convenient facilities, everyone from beginners to experts can have fun with ease. In addition, scenic cable cars and walking trails that offer breathtaking winter views allow non-skiers to also enjoy the beauty of the season.

Korea’s ski resorts are mainly concentrated in the Gangwon-do region, which sees heavy snowfall in winter, and are often paired with resort villages that provide lodging and other amenities. Reminder:The peak winter tourism season runs from mid-December to the end of February, during which resort room rates rise and bookings become harder to secure. Travelers are advised to reserve rooms as early as possible or book accommodation near the ski resorts ahead of time.

Each year, depending on winter weather conditions, ski resort opening and closing times may vary. This year, resorts are gradually opening, with previous years seeing operations typically lasting until March of the following year. Those wishing to visit should seize the opportunity.

Opening Dates of Major Ski Resorts in Gangwon-do (For detailed information, please refer to the official websites of each ski resort)

Phoenix Park Ski Resort
Opening Date: 2016.11.04
Website:http://interface.phoenixpark.co.kr/global/english/default.aspx (Available in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese)

Yongpyong Ski Resort
Opening Date: 2016.11.04
Website:http://www.yongpyong.co.kr/eng/index.do (Available in Korean and English)

▲Yongpyong Resort Ski Area.

Daemyung Vivaldi Park Ski World
Opening Date: 2016.11.18 (Tentative)
Website:https://www.daemyungresort.com/daemyung.front.foreign.main.main.ds/dmparse.dm (Available in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese)

Alpensia Ski Resort
Opening Date: 2016.11.18 (Tentative)
Website:http://www.alpensiaresort.co.kr/EnInfoAlpInfoIntro.gdc (Available in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese)

High 1 Ski Resort
Opening date: November 18, 2016 (tentative)
Website:http://www.high1.com/eng/Hhome/main.high1 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Welli Hilli Park Ski Resort
Opening date: Third weekend of November 2016 (tentative)
Website:https://www.wellihillipark.com/sub3/eng/index.asp (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Oak Valley Ski Resort
Opening date: November 30, 2016 (tentative)
Website:http://www.oakvalley.co.kr/oakmicro/index.asp (Korean, English, Chinese)

Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort
Opening date: Late November or early December 2016 (tentative)
Website:http://www.elysian.co.kr/global/eng/index.asp (Korean, English, Chinese)

▲ Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort in Chuncheon.

Note: Ski resort opening dates may be subject to change based on resort conditions and weather. Please confirm before your visit.