The Balwangsan Cable Car and Skywalk at Yongpyong Resort | A Breathtaking View from 1458-metres up!

If you’re looking for something extraordinary in Gangwon-do, look no further than the Balwangsan Cable Car and Skywalk at Yongpyong Resort.

The incredible Balwangsan Cable Car at Yongpyong Resort.

Located in Pyeongchang County – home of the 2018 Winter Olympics – Balwangan is undoubtedly THE place to go, if snowy landscapes are high on your agenda.

This region is known for major snowfall in Korea, so you can count on particularly striking views in winter.

Balwangsan Cable Car Quick Guide

READ NEXT: 33 Incredible Winter Places to Visit in South Korea

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Best time to ride the Balwangsan Cable Car?

There are spectacular panoramic views over Gangwondo’s mountain landscapes from the peak of Balwangsan Mountain that you can’t really see anywhere else, so it’s worth the journey in any season.

Summer in Gangwon-do is a cool escape © IR Studio, Photo Korea

While the spring months brings pleasant temperatures and colourful flowers to Pyeongchang, a trip to Balwangsan in summer is a fresh, green escape from Korea’s intense heat and humidity.

However, if you’re looking for something just a little extra-special – in my mind – the best seasons to go to the Balwangsan Cable Car are autumn and winter.

I’m Canadian – and I was amazed by the beauty of the snow at Balwangsan!

Winter in Pyeongchang

Yes – it’s Siberia level cold in Pyeongchang in winter (especially at the top of Mount Balwangsan), but that’s precisely why you want to go.

You’ll be rewarded with unimaginable views of hoar frost on trees, mountains full of powdery snow, and the Taekbak mountain range cascading out before your eyes. There is a real reason why Yongpyong Resort is one of the best – if not THE best ski resort in Korea.

The winter views from Balwangsan are incredible.

Time your visit to Yongpyong Resort and the Balwangsan Cable Car in January for a higher chance of seeing this kind of winter wonderland landscape. It’s the month with the greatest snowfall in Korea.

Autumn in Pyeongchang

Imagine standing on the Balwangsan Skywalk, a cobalt blue sky above you, and a kaleidoscope of trees in the middle of their colourful fall foliage transformation in Korea below. It must be quite the sight to behold.

Pyeongchang is gorgeous in autumn too © Gangwon Office, Moment Studio, Photo Korea

Aside from the colourful views, another big bonus of visiting Yongpyong Resort in autumn is that it’s easy to explore the 1000 year old Millenium Forest at the peak of the mountain. This is a 3.2-km long decked forest trail that’s accessible to absolutely everyone. You can even push a stroller along it (provided it’s not covered in snow!).

Once you disembark from the Balwangsan Cable Car at the top, look out for this sign. It’s the entrance to the Millennium Forest Trail.

The Millenium Forest Trail at the peak of Balwangsan Mountain.

Populated with yew, Norway spruce, and hawthorn trees, forest bathing in these ancient woods is sure to fill you with peaceful and restorative energy.

Make sure to find the Mayumok – a rare dual-species tree, where a rowan seed took root inside a Siberian crabapple and the two eventually intertwined into one.

READ NEXT: The 5 MOST Incredible Cherry Blossoms Spots I’ve Seen in Korea (mostly not in Seoul)

Where is the Balwangsan Cable Car located?

The cable car on Balwangsan Mountain is located in Pyeongchang’s Yongpyong Resort. This small county near the East Coast is known for some of the best ski resorts in Korea, due to its tall mountains and generous snowfall.

If you time it right, you’ll see SO MUCH snow in Pyeongchang! © Woo Jae-Yong, Photo Korea

These include Pyeongchang Alpensia, Phoenix Ski Resort, and of course Yongpyong Resort.

If you plan to ski in this region, it’s worth staying overnight, since it takes about 3 hours to drive to Pyeongchang from Seoul. This is what we’ve always chosen to do when we go there.

We visit Yongpyong Resort to ski at least once every winter.

Where to Stay near Yongpyong Resort

There are several accommodation options available at Yongpyong Resort itself, but I typically choose to stay at the nearby Pyeongchang Ramada Hotel instead. It’s a little calmer feeling, has a western aesthetic I prefer, a small jjimjilbang, and a free shuttle bus to the ski resort.

By KTX Train

The closest train station to Yongpyong Resort is Jinbu Station. The most direct route from Seoul to Pyeongchang is from Cheongnyangni Station (the train station, not the subway station). It costs just over 20,000 won and takes about 90 minutes.

Jinbu is the closest train station to Yongpyong Resort © Myeongho jeong, (CC BY-SA 3.0)

If you’re staying at Yongpyong Resort as a guest, there’s a free shuttle bus from Jinbu Station that takes approximately 20 minutes to reach the ski resort. You’ll have to show proof of your hotel reservation to board the bus.

Currently, the shuttle bus from Jinbu Station departs at 11:00 and 15:00, but these times can change based on the KTX train schedule, so it’s best to confirm with the hotel before starting your travels.

There’s a free shuttle bus from Jinbu Station for Yongpyong Resort guests.

If you’re not staying at Yongpyong, or arriving at a different time, it’s best to grab a a taxi. There are no subways in the area, and local bus schedules are a crapshoot.

I warn you though – taxis in this region of Korea are quite expensive. The fare is nearly 40,000 won for a 13-km taxi ride.

By Intercity Bus

If you prefer to take an intercity bus to Yongpyong Resort, go to Dong Seoul Bus Terminal outside of Gangbyun subway station on Line 2. From there, board a bus to Hoenggye Intercity Bus Stop in Pyeongchang.

Grab an express bus to Hoenggye Bus Terminal from Dong Seoul Terminal © Kim Jiho, Korea Tourism Organization

There are both direct buses, and routes that require a transfer in Gangneung or Wonju, so make sure you grab a ticket for a direct route. This takes 2.5 hours and costs 21,000 won.

If you should accidentally board a bus that requires a transfer, don’t stress too much. It isn’t that much more expensive, but does add some time to your journey.

Waiting for buses in the snow is only fun for a little while.

Once you reach Hoenggye Bus Stop, you can attempt to wait for green Bus 441, but be aware that these are rural buses that don’t come too often.

It’s probably wiser to just jump in a taxi – especially if you’re visiting the Balwangsan Cable Car in the deep freeze of winter. It’s a 10 minute ride that costs about 17,000 won.

All the snow and ice await you at Balwangsan.

If you do plan to use taxis, make sure to have Kakao T or another ride hailing app set up in advance. Hoenggye is located in a rural area, so hailing passing taxis can be a bit challenging at times.

Shuttle Bus to Yongpyong Resort

Taking the shared shuttle bus direct to Yongpyong Resort saves you all the hassle of public transit. Unless you have a schedule that doesn’t fit well with the shuttle bus times, this is undoubtedly the best way to get to ski resorts in Pyeongchang easily and affordably.

The ski resorts in Pyeongchang are but a shuttle bus ride away © Photo Korea

Once you factor in taxi fares and time wasted, the shuttle bus option actually works out to be cheaper and a whole LOT more comfortable and convenient than public transit.

A one-way shuttle bus transfer with pick up in Hongdae, Seoul Station, or Myeongdong costs 31,300 won, and a round-trip journey costs 50,000 won. Bookings are available from December 1st, 2024 to February 28th, 2025, and you can get off at either Alpensia or Yongpyong Ski Resort.

If you’re staying in Myeongdong, shuttle bus pick-up is a breeze.

Compare this price with the one-way cost of taking the KTX train or express bus (20,000) + taxi (38,800) at a total cost of 58,800 won, and it’s a real no-brainer. Book it here.

Side note: I know – why didn’t I just say that from the start – but unless you know how much public transit actually costs, and how long it takes, you won’t understand how much better the shuttle bus is, right?

By Tour from Seoul

Like the Gapyeong / Chuncheon attractions of Nami Island and Alpaca World, the DMZ between North and South Korea, and Hwadam Botanic Garden, Yongpyong Resort is another place best visited on a tour if you don’t have your own transportation.

Parts of the DMZ must be visited on a tour © Sarah Mak

I’ve already covered the shuttle bus option, but if you’d like more than just transport or only have a day to visit, here are the best tours available for Yongpyong Resort from Seoul.

Yongpyong Ski Resort + Samyang Ranch: This is a great tour if you don’t ski, but still want to experience some of the most incredible snowy landscapes in Korea. While there ARE ski and snowboard options available, you can also choose to ride the Balwangsan Cable Car, visit Samyang Ranch (filming location for Goblin and Guardian), or go snow sledding instead.

Snow, sheep, and windmills at Samyang Ranch © Doit Company, Lee Hyeonyeop, Photo Korea

2D1N Yongpyong Resort Ski Trip: There’s a lot to do at Yongpyong Resort besides ski – and this tour gives you the time to ski AND check out other activities like Balwangsan Cable Car and Deep Dive digital art museum. I always recommend an overnight stay if you plan to ski at Yongpyong Resort, but if you haven’t got the time, there IS a 1 Day option available too.

Deep Dive is a wonderful media art museum at Yongpyong Resort.

How to get to the Balwangsan Cable Car

The cable car at Balwangsan departs from the Dragon Plaza Platform inside Yongpyong Resort. There’s tons of signage around the resort in both english and korean, so you won’t have trouble finding it.

Dragon Plaza has cafes, restaurants, and a whole bunch of amenities.

The cable car operates from 9:00 to 17:00, and round-trip tickets can be purchased on site. There isn’t a separate ticket for the Balwangsan Skywalk. It can be accessed once you reach the summit of the mountain.

It IS possible for the gondola to cease operation if its too windy, so make sure it’s running before you make the trip out to Pyeongchang.

The Balwangsan Cable Car leaves from Dragon Plaza.

Round-trip Balwangsan cable car tickets cost:

• 25,000 won for ages 14 and up
• kids under 13 pay 21,000 won
• infants under 36 months old ride for free

Keep in mind that the last gondola down to Yongpyong Resort is at 16:00. Make sure you’re on it, or you might be in for a cold, arduous hike down 1458-metres of snowy mountain in the dark.

The Rainbow Paradise ski run is accessed using the Balwangsan Cable Car.

It’s good to know that skiers also use the same cable car to reach slopes at the very top of the mountain, like Rainbow Paradise, so don’t be confused if you see skiers waiting at the same platform.

Best Winter Tours in Korea

Sure, winter in Korea can be downright frosty, but there’s plenty of fun, snowy things to do to help you forget the cold. Don’t miss these fantastic special events and activities that are only possible for a few months of each year.

Sledding at Vivaldi Park’s Snowy Land is a popular winter activity.

• Yongpyong Resort Balwangsan Cable Car + Samyang Ranch | December 3rd, 2024 – February 20th, 2025
• Elysian Ski / Snowboarding / Sledding One Day Tour | December 5th, 2024 – March 5th, 2025
• Vivaldi Park Snowy Land Sledding Tour | December 10th, 2024 – February 28th, 2025
• Eobi Ice Valley + Strawberry Picking + Snow Sledding | December 15th, 2024 – February 28th, 2025
• Eobi Ice Valley, Nami Island, Alpaca World + Garden of Morning Calm  | December 16th, 2024 – February 19th, 2025
• Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival, Snowy Land + Strawberry Picking | December 16th, 2024 – March 3rd, 2025
• Wondae-ri Birch Forest + Maebawi Icewall Day Tour | December 18th, 2024 – February 23rd, 2025
• Cheongyang Alps Village Ice Fountain Festival + Strawberry Picking | December 23rd, 2024 – February 13th, 2025
• Cheongsong Ice Valley + Pohang Space Walk Tour  + Hometown Cha-Cha Market | December 25th, 2024 – February 12th, 2025
• Sanjeong Lake Sledding Festival, Herb Island, Strawberry Picking + Icewall Cafe | December 27th, 2024 – March 3rd, 2025
• 3 Romantic Winter Festivals in a Day | January 1st – February 10th, 2025
• Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival Tour from Seoul | January 25th, 2025 – February 2nd, 2025
• Skiing, Snowboarding, and Sledding Tours across Korea | December 2024 – March 2025

My Personal Experience | Balwangsan Cable Car Review

We headed out to Yongpyong Resort for a ski trip that happened to coincide with the coldest days of the entire year. I’m talking -36°C cold. Brr.

We visited Yongpyong on some of the coldest days of the year.

It made it pretty tough to ski, but the 7.4-km cable car ride up to the summit of Balwangsan was absolutely unforgettable.

With fluffy white snow in every direction, and all the trees drenched in feathery hoar frost, it was one of the most spectacular winter wonderland scenes I’ve ever had the pleasure of witnessing… and I’ve seen more than a few.

The scenes at the top of Balwangsan were just spectacular.

If seeing snow in Korea is high on your wish list, I can’t recommend Yongpyong Resort’s Balwangsan Cable Car enough. With its location in Pyeongchang’s Daegwallyeong-myeon (where there are snowy days from November to April), you’ll definitely increase your chances of experiencing it.

What to wear for the Balwangsan Cable Car in winter?

Do not be fooled by the temperature at the bottom of the mountain. The wind and temperatures at the 1,458-metre summit are no joke. I felt like I was literally being stabbed in the face over and over again with a million icy needles. I distinctly remember running for shelter, screaming in pain from how bitterly cold it was.

Does it look cold? It was.

If you plan to visit Balwangsan in winter (and you should, despite the deep freeze), you need all your best winter gear. Every part of your face, and any exposed skin should be as covered up as much as possible. Warm socks and waterproof (or at least water-resistant) boots are a must.

My daughter wore 2 layers of clothing, a ski jacket, ski balaclava, snowpants, and her warmest winter boots. We also stuck hot packs onto our clothes, and put a couple more in our pockets. All of this was definitely needed.

The most delicate little icicles.

It was so cold that her breath was instantly freezing into icicles on her hair and eyelashes!

How much time do you need for the Balwangsan Cable Car and Skywalk?

The 7.4-km trip up Balwangsan Mountain on the cable car takes about 20 minutes by itself. If you factor in time for boarding at the Dragon Plaza Platform, the return trip, and the time you’ll spend exploring up at the summit, I’d budget at least 2 to 3 hours for your visit.

Despite the cold, we spent over an hour playing with all that snow.

In winter, I’d plan a bit more time to get on the cable car. Boarding can take significantly longer since this is the busiest time of year at Yongpyong Resort, with skiers and snowboarders also using the same gondola to reach runs at the top of Balwangsan Mountain.

What food and drink options are available at Balwangsan Mountain?

At the top of the cable car, you’ll find the Dragon Peak Cafe, where you can have a hot drink and a light snack. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can search out the Balwangsu Mineral Spring outside, and have a sip of some of the freshest spring water around.

The Balwangsu Mountain Spring is up here somewhere.

If you really need sustenance though, I’d make sure to fuel up at Yongpyong Resort before boarding the Balwangsan Cable Car. There are a ton of restaurants, food courts, and cafes to choose from.

What else should I know about the Balwangsan Cable Car and Skywalk?

We always ski at Yongpyong Resort, so we ended up at the summit of Balwangsan in winter. No denying it was incredibly beautiful, but it was also incredibly FREEZING.

Oh so perfect, but oh so cold.

It was so cold, that we actually couldn’t bear to be outside for as long as we wanted to… and the thought of standing on the Balwangsan Skywalk fully exposed to the elements felt next to impossible.

So yeah, we didn’t get out onto the Skywalk, nor did we walk the full 3.2-km Millennium Trail, looking for all those unique trees. It was just too cold, especially with kids. Something to consider when planning your visit to the Balwangsan Cable Car.

I heart the Balwangsan Cable Car © Photo Korea

The thought of everything I missed makes me want to go to Yongpyong Resort in a milder climate, so I can fully access everything at the summit. Looks like I’ll have to plan another trip!

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In which season do you want to ride the Balwangsan Cable Car at Yongpyong Resort?