The 4 Ski Resorts in Korea Perfect for Every Level from Beginner to Expert

Want to try skiing in Korea, but don’t know where to start? Don’t stress! Here’s the lowdown on all the best ski resorts in Korea to help you plan the perfect winter adventure.

There’s ski resorts in Korea for absolutely every level.

Whether you’re a wobbly beginner or an advanced skier, this guide will give you all the info you need to get out there and slay the slopes!

Ski Resorts in Korea Quick Guide

Every ski resort in Korea has a different opening and closing date, based on their geographic location and quantity of snowfall. It’s important to know that any date listed here is a planned date, and can change based on weather conditions at the time.

It’s best to confirm with individual ski resorts before heading out to the mountains – especially if you’re traveling close to season opening dates.

*I’ll update the opening dates for ski resorts in Korea as they’re announced.

Is there a Ski Resort in Seoul?

With most of Korea’s population living in or near Seoul, it makes sense to think that there would actually be ski resorts IN Seoul. After all, snowboarding and skiing are major winter sports, and there are mountains scattered throughout the city.

Unfortunately, there are no ski resorts right in Seoul ⓒ Photo Korea

The bad news is that there ISN’T a ski resort in Seoul. The city is simply too densely populated, and well… snow doesn’t tend to stick around for much longer than a few hours here.

That doesn’t mean your winter ski dreams are shattered though. There are many ski resorts close to Seoul that can be easily accessed within an hour or two.

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

When to go Skiing in Korea?

From December to early March, winter in Korea brings freezing temperatures, cold winds and snow to the peninsula. Any ski resort in Korea will typically open in early to mid-December and close by early March.

Korea’s winter season is from December to March.

There are some outliers to this schedule. In the extra cold and snowy region of Pyeongchang, a few ski resorts in Korea can stay open much later. Last year, with extended snowfall in the Daegwallyeong area, Yongpyong Resort actually stayed open right up until March 24th!

The coldest weather and most generous snowfall in Korea is usually in January and early February. These are typically the best times to check out not only ski resorts in Korea, but also various winter activities like ice fishing, and sledding festivals across the country.

The snow at the top of Yongpyong Resort’s Balwangsan Cable Car was so pretty.

It’s good to know that these months also coincide with winter break at schools (yes, winter vacation in Korea is about 6 weeks long), so it’s peak time and the slopes can be very busy.

This is definitely something to keep in mind when choosing which Korean ski resort you’ll visit this winter.

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Personal Experience | Tips for Ski Resorts in Korea

In the interests of full disclosure – I have to say that I’m not the one who actually skis in our family. My daughter is.

Backstory? I’m scarred from elementary school ski lessons in the terrifying Canadian Rockies, which involved me rocketing down the slope at top speed, totally out of control. I barely survived, and the trauma is real.

Imagine learning to ski on mountains like this? Hiking was hard enough!

That said, I’ve spent the last 5 years making sure my daughter doesn’t endure the same traumatizing experience, and can enjoy all the wonder of skiing without fear.

And while we haven’t been to every ski resort in Korea, we’ve been to quite a few. We’ve also experienced them at every level in her journey from beginner to advanced, and I’d say there are definitely snow parks more suited to each level of skiing expertise.

So little! Her first ski lesson at Yongpyong Resort in Pyeongchang.

Best Ski Resorts in Korea

The following are the ski resorts in Korea I would personally recommend for each level of skiing expertise. I’ll go into full detail about what you can expect at all of them below, so you can choose the best one for your particular situation.

READ NEXT: How to Book the Unforgettable Gangchon Rail Bike

Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort at a Glance

Number of slopes: 10

Longest slope: Dragon / Rabbit | 1.5-km | Beginner

Best for: beginners, daytrippers, those who want to visit Nami Island and other nearby sites

Pros: ski resort close to Seoul, near Nami Island and other popular attractions, accessible by subway

Cons: small ski park, so it can be busy and crowded – I recommend visiting on weekdays, as early in the day as possible (that’s what we did, and you can see how quiet the slopes were)

Go to Elysian on a weekday morning for less crowds.

Family-Friendly | Vivaldi Park Ski World | 비발디 파크 스키월드

Address: 262, Hanchigol-gil, Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon-do | 강원도 홍천군 서면 한치골길 262

Vivaldi Park Ski World is located in Hongcheon, just across the provincial boundary of Gangwon-do, so it’s one of the closest ski resorts to Seoul.

Gangwon-do Province is home to mountains, seas, and beaches.

Vivaldi Park Ski World is the largest ski resort in the Seoul Metropolitan area, with 12 slopes in total, ranging in difficulty from beginner to expert.

Each slope is named after a different musical genre and accompanied by a corresponding soundtrack, like Hip-Hop, Jazz or Techno, so it’s a blast to explore them all.

There are 12 slopes at Vivaldi Ski Park.

Vivaldi also has the distinction of being the MOST visited ski resort in Korea for the last 7 years running. It’s testament to how great it is. But it’s also both good and bad.

While it has state-of-the art facilities and amenities, it can get seriously crowded on weekends and holidays. If you’re looking for a bit of peace in the snow, I recommend skiing at Vivaldi Park Ski Resort on a weekday.

Vivaldi has state of the art lifts and technology.

I’ve picked it as my top family-friendly ski resort in Korea, because there’s literally something for EVERYONE at Vivaldi Park.

Couples, seniors, children, skiers, non-skiers – you name it – Vivaldi Park has an activity perfect for absolutely everyone in your group.

Vivaldi Park Snowy Land is perfect for the non-skiers of any age.

I’ve had a couple of mini staycations – one at Sono Felice and one at Sono Belle, and can personally vouch for the quality of accommodation and incredible variety of amenities available at Vivaldi Park Ski World.

Aside from skiing, there’s also Snowy Land – one of the best sledding parks in Korea, an on-site kids cafe, shooting range, bowling alley, infinity pool, and so much more.

The infinity pool is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to amenities at Vivaldi Park.

If an overnight stay at a ski resort in Korea is on your agenda, Vivaldi Park is a good one to choose. You can spend a day enjoying all the winter activities available on-site, then explore the surrounding area

Alpaca World, Nami Island, the Gangchon Rail Bike, and the Garden of Morning Calm Starlight Festival are all popular attractions in this area. I do recommend renting a car if you’ve planned this type of DIY itinerary though. Public transit in this region is on the slow side.

The Garden of Morning Calm Starlight Festival is on most winter itineraries.

READ NEXT: How to Visit Snowy Land at Vivaldi Park | The Best Sled Park near Seoul

Vivaldi Park Ski World at a Glance

Number of slopes: 12

Longest slope: Jazz | 900-metres | Intermediate

Best for: everyone! non-skiers, families, groups, snowboarders, kids

Pros: Snowy Land sled park for non-skiers, proximity to Seoul, excellent facilities and amenities, activities for non-skiers

Cons: can be crowded at peak times with max capacity up to 20,000 people (though I don’t think it ever reaches this number!)

Sono Belle at Vivaldi Park is right across the street from the ski hill and Snowy Land.

READ NEXT: The Sanjeong Lake Sledding Festival is Korea’s Most Adorable Winter Event

Advanced | Yongpyong Ski Resort | 용평리조트 스키장

Address: 715, Olympic-ro, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do | 강원도 평창군 대관령면 올림픽로 715

Yongpyong Resort is one of the largest ski resorts in Korea, with 13 separate lifts and the Balwangsan gondola to transport skiers to 28 different slopes of varying difficulty. Divided into Silver, Gold, Red, and Dragon zones, Yongpyong has a slope to match every ability level.

The Balwangsan Cable Car transports skiers to the top of the slopes at Yongpyong Resort.

There’s a real reason why Yongpyong was selected as one of the main venues for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, along with nearby Alpensia Ski Resort.

Blessed with generous snowfall, excellent amenities and convenient infrastructure, it’s considered, by locals, to be the best overall ski resort in Korea.

Natural snow, long runs – Yongpyong Resort is the best overall ski resort in Korea.

I’m inclined to agree. We’ve loved every one of our visits to Yongpyong – both on and off the slopes.

My daughter learned to ski in just one afternoon at Yongpyong Resort when she was 5, but it’s not really necessary to travel all the way to Pyeongchang as a first-time skier, unless you plan to stay overnight and want to explore the region more.

Go to ski resorts near Seoul, like Elysian or Vivaldi, if you’re a true beginner.

For beginners, it’s really much easier to go to one of the ski resorts closer to Seoul. Elysian or Vivaldi are just fine when you’re first learning to ski. And the truth is – as a beginner, you won’t really notice snow or slope quality – you’ll just be trying to figure it all out and survive.

That said, if you DO have the time to spend a night or two at Yongpyong Resort, it’s completely worth it, even as a beginner. It really is the best ski resort in Korea, with the most natural snow and some of the longest runs in Korea.

She still talks about conquering the 5.7-km long Rainbow Paradise run.

READ NEXT: Balwangsan is a Gorgeous Winter Wonderland at Yongpyong Resort

Mona Yongpyong Resort at a Glance

Number of slopes: 28

Longest slope: Rainbow Paradise | 5.7-km | Intermediate

Best for: Intermediate and advanced skiers, those willing to stay overnight, those visiting Korea in early December or late March

Pros: longest ski season in Korea with 250-cm of annual snowfall, huge range of indoor and outdoor amenities

Cons: further away from Seoul than other ski resorts in Korea, narrower slopes not ideal for snowboarding

There are opportunities for night skiing at most ski resorts in Korea.

How to get to Yongpyong Resort from Seoul

Yongpyong Resort is about 3 hours drive from Seoul, near the East Coast of Korea. Renting a car is a great option if you’re comfortable driving in winter conditions, because it gives you total control and ultimate flexibility over your itinerary.

Just make sure to grab an International Drivers Permit at home. You won’t be able to rent a car in Korea without one.

Driving to Yongpyong in winter is gorgeous – but be careful!

If the thought of driving in winter conditions is just too much for you, there are several ways to get to ski resorts in the Pyeongchang area easily from Seoul.

While there are public transport options available (both train and bus), it’s actually cheaper and more convenient to get to Yongpyong Resort using shared shuttle buses.

There are many different ways to get to Yongpyong Resort from Seoul.

If you’re traveling with family or in a group, a private transfer strikes the perfect balance between comfortable and cost-effective. With private vans that seat as many as 12 people, it’s easy to find the solution that works best for you.

What to Expect When Skiing in Korea

Korea is a tiny country, with a large population, that’s mostly centred around the Seoul metropolitan area. This impacts ANY experience you have here, whether it’s walking down the street or going to a ski resort in Korea.

The 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics put Korea on the map for skiing.

So while the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics put Korea on the map as a major skiing destination in Asia, you’ll have to manage your expectations somewhat when skiing near Seoul – especially if you’re used to the ski parks in North America or Europe,

Ski Resorts near Seoul

Ski resorts near Seoul tend to be on the smaller size, but have excellent amenities, hotels, and restaurants on-site. There aren’t super long runs or an incredible variety of slopes at most ski parks near the capital region due to their size.

Ski resorts near Seoul rely on a lot of artificial snow.

We don’t get much snowfall in Seoul either, so there’s not a huge amount of natural snow. Most of the snow at ski resorts in Seoul is artificially made.

You won’t find huge piles of fluffy powder, unless you head further into Gangwon-do to ski resorts like Yongpyong, Pyeongchang Phoenix, High1, or Alpensia.

There’s more natural snowfall at ski resorts in Gangwon-do.

Crowds

Ski resorts near Seoul can get very crowded… especially on holidays and weekends. It’s a function of serving a population of 25 million people who potentially want to spend a winter weekend in the snow. If you can swing it, it’s definitely better to visit a snow park in Korea on a weekday.

You’ll have to expect crowds at ski resorts near Seoul on weekends ⓒ Lee Beomsu, Photo Korea

Technology

One tool Korea uses to combat its high population is technology. You’ll see this at all ski resorts in Korea, in the form of super-fast high tech lifts and gondolas that can transport thousands of people per hour. You probably won’t have to wait overly long to get onto any ski lift, despite the crowds.

The Balwangsan Cable Car transports skiers to the peak at Yongpyong Resort.

Packages for Ski Resorts in Korea

Tour providers like Klook or Trazy provide the easiest, most affordable way to go skiing in Korea if you’re a traveler or expat in Korea. I speak Korean on a semi-fluent level and my first visit to a ski resort in Korea was still MASSIVELY confusing.

Most ski resorts in Korea have multiple lifts, different locations to pick up equipment and clothes, 10+ ski hills, and more than one amenity area. If you don’t speak the language, it can be really overwhelming – especially if you’re a beginner and have never skied before.

Ski equipment and clothes can be easily rented through a tour agency.

With tour agencies, you can customize services ranging from transport to gear rental to all inclusive ski packages, to get exactly what you need, totally hassle-free. Some packages also include an hour long ski lesson in english to get you started skiing right away.

Best of all, these ski packages are discounted for foreign passport holders, and there’s a dizzying variety of options.

I know you want to get up on that ski lift as fast as possible ⓒ Kim Jiho, Korea Tourism Organization

Ski Resorts in Korea | Equipment Rental

When you rent equipment at a ski resort in Korea, it includes skis or a snowboard, boots, and poles. While it’s also possible to rent helmets, and ski clothing separately, certain items are usually NOT available for rent.

Every ski resort in Korea rents equipment.

If you plan on visiting a ski resort in Korea, it’s a good idea to prepare the following items. You can prepare them in advance by shopping in Seoul, or just buy them at the ski resorts in Korea when you arrive.

• Ski jacket and snowpants (these can usually be rented separately)
• Sunglasses or goggles (usually have to be purchased – I have not seen many for rent)
• A couple of pairs of warm, thick socks
• Neck warmer, gaiter, or balaclava
• Thermals to wear under your ski jacket and snowpants. Uniqlo Heattech is a good option.
• Waterproof ski gloves
• Hot packs – the ones that stick to your clothes are useful for skiing
• Lip balm and sunscreen is essential because of wind burn, and the sun reflecting strongly off the white snow
• A change of clothes in case you get wet

Ready to hit the slopes?

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Now you know everything you need to know to embark on an excellent winter adventure. Which ski resort in Korea is top of YOUR list?