The 2018/19 season was a late starter due to higher than usual November temperatures, and it’s continued to be a relatively mild winter (by Korean standards) since then. The mountains have had very little natural snowfall (pretty much none in the Seoul area resorts), and while they’re all doing a typically good job of grooming and keeping everything skiable there isn’t much base and we’re probably looking at an earlier than usual finish (late Feb to early March) unless February brings some heavy snowfall. Fingers crossed!
I was up at Phoenix Park last week and they were still hadn’t finished building the halfpipe even in late January – had a chat to the park crew who lamented the lack of snow this season. Welli Hilli Park have finished their halfpipe, but seem to be struggling to keep it groomed & open (the regular runs are obviously higher priority).
Personally I spent the first half of the season doing the rounds of the resorts to update the info & pictures on the site, and have bought a half-season pass for Welli Hilli Park which is where I’ll be spending my remaining ski days for this winter – broke my arm on one of the jumps there last season, so will take it easy in the terrain park this year! I also still need to get over and check out O2 Resort which has partially re-opened a few years after closing down – planning to do that next week (update: this never happened because I broke my ribs! It’s first on the list for next season). I also spent a fun day teaching a couple of friends, hadn’t coached anyone for years but they did pretty well:
Have been getting a few emails & comments already asking about closing dates, I’ll update this post with those when they start being announced in a few weeks – as always, give me a shout below if you have any questions.
Update: closing dates confirmed now as follows. Konjiam March 3rd, Elysian Gangchon March 3rd, Star Hill March 3rd, Jisan March 3rd, Bears Town early March (expect it’ll be March 3rd, but shuttle service ends on Feb 28th), Eden Valley March 3rd (plus an extra day open on the 9th), Oak Valley March 2nd, Alpensia March 10th, Well Hilli Park March 10th, Vivaldi Park March 18th, High1 & Yongpyong March 24th.
Note that you can usually get around a 50% discount on lift passes in these final weeks of the season.
Doing the rounds:
High1
Oak Valley
Nice view of Yongpyong from the top of Alpensia
Welli Hilli Park
Hi,
I will be in Seoul around end Feb and wondering should I still visit the Ski resort? Do you have any recommendation which one should I go? (I am ski noob)
To be exact, I am looking at 27/28 Feb.
Thank you in advance.
Hi Hessa,
Vivaldi Park would be a good choice for you. Let me know if you have any questions!
Dear Simon,
We plan to go Seoul for skiing in the beginning of December 2019, around 6-10th December. Is there any ski resort openning?
Thanks.
Hi Hang,
Yes they should be open by then, if you look here you can see the opening dates from last season. If you want to do a day trip from Seoul, Vivaldi Park is a good choice
Thank you Simon. We are considering to go Jisan Ski Resort because it’s close to Seoul. Do you know the information about free shuttle bus to there?
You can find the info on my Jisan page, but it’s hard for overseas visitors to book the shuttle bus. It’s actually more convenient to go to Vivaldi, even though it’s further away. Or consider Bears Town, which has a really good shuttle service you can book online (and the bus company offers good discounts for lift tickets too)
Thank you so much for your information and time.
Hi,
Thanks for the guide and information. Was just wondering whether any other closing dates were set for the ski resorts. Headed to Seoul 1st of March, would you have any recommendations?
Kind Regards
Hi Will,
I’d recommend Vivaldi Park, or if your level is more advanced I’d recommend Yongpyong or Phoenix Park.
Are there any further updates on Yongpyong? I’ve tried contacting the resort via email, Facebook (Korean & English) and email, but no response. Thanks in advance.
Hi Ben,
You can check the calendar here. 주간 means daytime and 야간 is night skiing; closing day presently scheduled for the 24th.
Awesome. Thanks for the quick response. The English website doesn’t give those dates, just events, and it stops at a photo event on 19th Feb. So, there’s no way I would have found that calendar without your help.
So, it seems daytime skiing will remain open until the 24th. Evening/Night skiing was until the 2nd, then evening skiing again on the 8/9th. I also saw on the Korean Facebook page a post about the cable car now remaining open until 31st March.
(And sorry I posted twice – all done via mobile and I was unsure whether I was submitting or posting a comment as no confirmation is given!)
No worries, that’s my fault, unfortunately I don’t quite have the budget for this site to ensure a super sexy user experience! But yes you have those dates correct, and yes their English site is always out of date!
hi There,
Me and my family is going to Seoul Next weel 23-29/3. Will there still a good time to visit Jisan for some snowy view or even sledding for our kids?
Thanks!
Hi Farid, sorry but Jisan closed a couple of weeks ago. You could go to Yongpyong, their closing day is the 24th
Hi Simon,
What a fab blog- love the tips; I’ll be abusing the one about the discounted lift passes in particular!
We’re planning on a week’s skiing this year in Yongpyeong starting on Boxing Day and I’m looking into getting to the resort directly from Incheon Airport … any wisdom pearls you can drop will be greatly appreciated!
Kindly, and with thanks,
Jane.
Hi Jane,
Always good to hear the site’s useful, cheers!
See here for info on direct buses from the airport to Yongpyong.
Let me know if you have any more questions!
Hi hi,
Me and my family will be visiting Seoul beginning Dec and would like to stay at one of the ski resorts near Seoul for a night or two, both princesses are 12 and 16, never had ski before.
Any good recommendation?
Hi Dave, I’d suggest perhaps Vivaldi Park, as it has English-speaking instructors, good non-skiing activities (water park and Snowy Land), and is super easy to reach from Seoul
Hi Simon, we’re visiting seoul for 5 days from 4/12/19 – 9/12/19. What’s your experience with the snow season during those time? Do resorts open around the same time? Keen to squeeze in a full day sess or two. Cheers Don
Hi Don, the resorts usually open in mid to late November, but things can be pretty patchy throughout December in terms of how many runs they actually have open. Really depends on whether any natural snow falls, and how early the temperatures drop low enough for them to crank the snowmaking. If you’re beginner or low intermediate you should be happy enough with Vivaldi Park, if you’re more advanced it’s worth the extra effort to get over to Yongpyong, or Phoenix Park or Welli Hilli Park if you want to ride park.
Hi Simon, do you have any info for the 2019/2020 season? I would like to know the rates for the ski lift passes from 08 to 12 December 2019. Also the snowboarding board and boots rental rates for the Phoenix park ski slopes.
Hi Adeline, they don’t announce that information until just before they open (Korea tends to have a very ‘last minute’ approach). But if you check the prices from last season (see here), they will basically be the same or slightly higher (e.g. lift passes often increase in price by 1000 KRW each year)
Hi! Me and my son(9yrs old) is going to korea this Nov 26-29, 2019 to experience the snow and the ski activity. But until now i dont have any idea if during our stay in korea some of the ski resort is open for ski adventure (basic only) that time. Thank you
Hi Jane, if you look here you can see the opening dates from last season. The opening date varies according to the weather conditions in October/November, last season was later than average and you should usually be ok for Nov 26-29 but note that it can’t be guaranteed. I’d recommend Vivaldi Park as it’s usually one of the earliest to open, and it’s very easy to get there from Seoul (free direct tourist bus from Myeongdong) and caters well to beginners and non-skiers.
Hi Simon – thanks for your posts, they are very helpful.
Planning to be in Seoul over the Christmas period. I’m an upper intermediate and would be interested in your opinion on the best ski resort with intermediate/advanced slopes closer to Seoul (appreciating that there are limited options compared to Gangwon area). Looks like it might be Bears Town or Vivaldi?
Thanks
Hi Kevin, yes the best in the near vicinity would be Bears Town. Vivaldi is actually just across the border in Gangwon-do, but if you’re willing to spend the extra 30 mins to get there it’s probably worth it (and in fact depending where your hotel’s located it might not even take longer). Vivaldi is the best resort you can hit in <2 hours travel time from Seoul. Exception to this would be if you want to ride park, in which case head to Jisan Forest
I will be travelling to Seoul during year ends session and planning to stay at ski resort from 24 – 26 December 2019. However I couldn’t get any accommodation resort at Vivaldi Park. How to reserve the room there?
Hi, not sure, but it’s possible due to high season… did you try Trazy? (see here)
Hi, my family of 8 which include 1 senior and 2 youth of 13 to 17yo will be going to Seoul for ski from 18th to 20th Dec 2019. This is the 1st time we will be skiling, I am not sure which is the most suitable ski resorts to go. Hoping to stay in the hop in hop out ski type of resort. Could be kindly advice.
Hi Cindy, for your group & dates I recommend going to Yongpyong or Alpensia, or High1. As you are all beginners I think Alpensia might be your best option
Hi Simon,
Do you have any idea that any ski resort opened during april? Got a plan to visit seoul on 11 april 2020 and would love to spend couple days far from crowd.
Appreciate for your advise.
Hi Roy, sorry mate no chance – they close in March, even the highest resorts are usually done by the final weekend in March. If you look here you can see the closing dates from last season (5th paragraph down), it was a poor season so those are slightly early but even a good season would only be a week later, 2 at best.
Hi Simon,
I have 6 paxs with luggauges.
Can you advise how i can i get to Phoenix Park from Busan?
Thanks
Hello, while it may be possible to find a bus (which would probably be cheaper, but slower), I’d do this journey by bullet train via Seoul. Take the KTX from Pyeongchang Station to Seoul Station, then transfer to the KTX for Busan. There are free shuttle buses from Phoenix Park to Pyeongchang Station, total journey time around 4.5 hours depending on transfers. See the train travel section here (near bottom of page) for links to book train tickets.
Hi can we go for a day trip with family with kids to any good beginner ski resort trip and stay at Seoul.
Hi Poonam,
Sure, you can easily stay in Seoul and do a day trip to a ski resort. If you stay in or near the Myeongdong area then the easiest to visit will be Vivaldi Park
Hi Simon,
I looking forward to stay in Vivaldi Park hotel in Feb 2020. however it seem rooms are fully room . I follow your link to search for alternative room Trazy.com (https://www.trazy.com/experience/detail/vivaldi-park-ski-resort-room-reservation). pls advise how far is this away from ski park and the hotel. Thank you very much
Hi, it’s the main condo building next to the ski slope base area. You just have to walk across the car park to reach the ski lifts
Hi,
I would like to know when will Vivaldi snowyland will open this year?
I’ll be traveling to Korea at the begining of December, wondering if it would be possible to go there at that time see that all the package are starting on 15th Dec.
Thanks for the answer
Hi Laura, we don’t know the exact date yet, but yes it’ll be mid-December. If you’re too early you can still visit Vivaldi and get the ‘one time ticket’ (for 15000 won) to go up the main ski gondola, there’s a cafe at the top with nice views.
Hi Simon,
So glad to chance upon your page. My family (with 3 kids 6, 11 & 13 yo) is planning to do a 3D/2N (27-29 Nov) at a ski resort at the end of our Seoul trip. All non-skiers. I looked at some of the resorts, they seem to have small rooms to accommodate 5 of us in 1 room. What would you recommend? Or should I do a day trip instead?
Thanks for your advice.
Hi Katherine,
If you’re planning to go for 3D/2N it makes sense to travel out to one of the better resorts like High1 or Yongpyong, you should be able to find suitable accommodation there. If you decide on a day trip I tend to recommend Vivaldi Park due to ease of access and ease of arranging English language lessons for beginners.
I wish to ski during 16/11/2019
Kindly advice which of the ski resort is open that time. Thanks.
Hi Kate,
That’s very early in the season, depending on the weather there might not be anywhere open yet. But if it’s cold enough early enough then a couple of the larger resorts might have a run or 2 open, best bets would be Vivaldi Park & Yongpyong. If you look here you can see the opening dates from last season (which were slightly late)
Hi Simon.
This blog is exceptionally helpful. Keep it up. My family of 10pax are planning to go Seoul next February 9th to 20th for a snow adventure. Any suggestion where to go for skiing or stay at any resort that isn’t too expensive for 1 or 2 nights? Thanks
Hi Tey,
For 1 or 2 nights I’d recommend Vivaldi Park, Alpensia, Yongpyong, or High1.
For the most convenient journey, Vivaldi is the best choice – it’s suitable for beginners to intermediate. Vivaldi is also the best for anyone in your family who doesn’t want to ski, because they can visit the Snowy Land attraction instead.
If your family members are intermediate to advanced, it would be better to go to Yongpyong or High1.
If you’re all beginners, Alpensia is another good option; it’s a longer journey than Vivaldi, but the resort is more modern so the accommodation & facilities are better.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any more questions
Thanks Simon for time and effort to reply and provide countless useful guides and tips. Cheers
Cheers mate!
Hi Simon,
So glad I’ve found you blog!
I’ve never experienced snow and ski before 🙂
So, I think sledding is best for my first time. ^ ^”
I will be at Seoul around this 5-10 december 2019.
Any recommend for a sledding place?
and… is there a snow at that period?
^ ^
I’ve found this place
‘Ttukseom Han River Park Snow Slope 뚝섬 한강공원 눈썰매장’
But don’t know if it snow at that time.
Please advice
Thank you very much for your time!
Hi Katie,
I’ve seen the Ttukseom sledding slope from the subway, but no I don’t think it will be open. It’s still 20 degrees now in Seoul even though it’s November, so it’s not looking great for the start of this season. Anyway, the Ttuskeom slope is really small, it’s better to go to a ski resort.
However, the sledding slopes often don’t open until mid-December even at the ski resorts. The best chance might be Oak Valley, their sledding opened on December 5th last year (as you can see here). But like I said it’s still really warm for this time of year, which is a bit concerning; fingers crossed the temperature drops quickly now!
Hi Simon,
Thank you very for the fast reply.
At first plan, I put a high hope on Snowy land at Vivaldi resort.
But Oak Valley is interesting if the sledding open.
I see it’s not far from Vivaldi,
that’s mean it still can do a one-day trip from Seoul right?
And my second plan is
May be I should try the ski for the beginner instead ^ ^” at bear town ^ ^
Since I can only one-day trip and this place might be closer than the rest.
Now the plan of ski day is on December 10th,
do you have any recommendation or any concern point I should aware?
Really,
Thank you very much for your time
Wish you have a wonderful winter 🙂
Katie
Hi Katie, yes it’s easy to do a day trip to Oak Valley.
Whether it’s easiest to get to Vivaldi, Bears Town, or Oak Valley, depends where you’re staying. Do you know which area you’re staying in Seoul?
Hi Simon,
I’m planning to visit south korea, mainly for skiing,at least 2 days in ski area. Any recommendations and would that be a lot of snow? .. I planned to visit around January 20th, 2020..
Hi Joseph, for 2 days I’d recommend Yongpyong or High1. These are also the places with the most snow, but to be honest there generally isn’t usually a lot of snow in Korea unless you get lucky
Hello,
We plan to ski at Pheonix ski resort around Christmas 2019. Will the resort open this year?
Hi, yes sure they’ll be open, Christmas is their busiest time
Thank you very much for your information.
Hi Simon
I had booked the free bus service to vivadi on 20 November.
If ski is not open, any other options to try snowboarding or what other activities that can occupied me till 6pm return bus.
Can I returned earlier bus service then?
Hi Sashimi, to be honest I think it’s doubtful they’ll be open by the 20th. Last year they opened on the 24th, and the weather’s even warmer this autumn so I think they’ll probably open later this season. There isn’t much to do there if they’re not open, you might want to plan to do something else that day unless it suddenly gets cold & snows.
I just booked the place around hongdae, near Hongik station 🙂
Ok, so Vivaldi is going to be easiest from Hongdae – for this season the Vivaldi shuttle bus originates from Hongdae at 7:30, 8:30, and 9:30. I recommend the 8:30 as it only takes 2 hours (the others are 2.5 hours)
Super details!
Thank you so much!!!
Hi Simon,
I”ll be there on this December 15th- 19th. It is winter on that time? I just want to know to prepare thick cloth by the way.
Hi Najah, yes you’ll need winter clothing. This year is much warmer than usual so far, but December will still be pretty cold!
Hi Simon,
Im going to korea on 15 december. Is there any way I can check when does snowy land open?
Hi Sabrina, it opened on December 15th last year. The dates for this year aren’t known yet, but the weather’s been much too warm so everything’s late. Keep checking their website for opening updates, or my post here
Hi Simon,
My husband and I are in Korea at the moment but flying home Monday 18th November. Had really hoped to fit 1 day of skiing in but looking online (and feeling the temperatures!) doesn’t look like anything will be open in time. Have you heard of anywhere opening this weekend? Thank you!
Hi Miriam, they were finally able to start seriously making snow last night at Yongpyong, but no I don’t think they’ll be open this weekend. No opening dates have been announced yet.
Halo Simon, thank you for your clear information regarding Korea ski places, really enlighten!
Anyway, so me and my friend were planning to visit Pyeongchang on March 23rd 2020. We are planning to stay in some resort in that area and visiting Yongpyong ski resort for one day short ski experience.
The question are:
1) If I want to arrange everything by myself, can I made advance booking for the ski experience? And for renting ski suit or board, is it easy to manage?
2) To help me out ^^ do u have some tour recommendation to assist me for this one day plan ski experience?
Would love to gearing anything from you!
Hi Tahara,
To be honest, I’m not sure if they’ll still be open by then. They usually close around that time, but it depends on the conditions. Last year they closed on the 24th, so hopefully you’ll be able to try it.
If they are still open, then yes it’s easy to rent & arrange everything by yourself after you arrive at the resort.
I have planned to visit South Korea during 5-9 March 2020 with 2 kids (2 years and 4 years) please advice me where should I bring kids to play sled.
Hi Sopita, that’s quite late in the season so you’ll need to pay attention to closing dates. Usually the best bets for late season are Yongpyong, Vivaldi Park, and Welli Hilli Park.
Visiting on march 25-29, what is the best bet resort that we can still enjoy ski?
Sorry Sarah, you’re probably going to be too late. You can see last year’s closing dates here. If you’re lucky you might just catch Yongpyong or High1
Hello,
We plan to ski at Pheonix ski resort March 9th-10th. Will the resort still open ?
Thank you so much
Hi Tim, can’t say for sure at this stage as it’s been such a poor season, but they are usually open later than that