7 Convenient Ski Resorts near Seoul Perfect for a Winter Adventure | 2023 / 2024 Season Openings

Want to try skiing in Korea, but don’t know where to start? Don’t stress! Here’s the lowdown on 7 different ski resorts near Seoul to compare, to help you plan the perfect winter adventure.

Yongpyong Resort is one of the best ski resorts in Korea (but not that close to Seoul). 🙁

Are there ski resorts in Seoul?

With most of Korea’s population living in or near Seoul, it makes sense to think that there are actually 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. ⓒ Korea Tourism Organization

The bad news is there are NO ski resorts 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.

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

When to go skiing in Seoul

From December to early March, winter in Korea brings freezing temperatures, cold winds and snow to the peninsula. Ski resorts near Seoul typically open in mid-December and close by early March.

Korea’s winter season is from December to March.

The coldest weather and most snowfall is in January and February, so these are the best months to go skiing in Seoul, and the rest of Korea.

This also happens to coincide with winter break at schools, so it’s peak time and the slopes can be very busy. Definitely something to keep in mind when planning which of Korea’s ski resorts you’ll visit this winter.

Packages for Ski Resorts near Seoul

Tour providers like Klook or Trazy are the easiest, most affordable way to go skiing in Seoul 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 near Seoul 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 Klook or Trazy, you can customize services ranging from transport to gear rental to all inclusive ski packages, to get exactly what you need, totally hassle-free. Most 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. So you’ll save money AND be able to spend more time actually doing what you intended to do – ski in Seoul.

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

How to Get to Ski Resorts near Seoul

There are 5 main ways to reach ski resorts in the Seoul area: shuttle bus, public transit, independently via car, private transfer, or on a tour.

You can get to ski resorts near Seoul by shuttle bus, public transit, or on a day tour ⓒ Lee Beomsu, Korea Tourism Organization

Public Transit: Getting to a ski resort near Seoul using public transit isn’t usually the best option, unless you’re on a serious budget. Since most ski hills are in rural locations, it requires multiple transfers, and cuts into your ski day, because it can take a really long time.

Head to ski resorts near Seoul for sledding too ⓒ Lee Beomsu, Korea Tourism Organization

By Car: If you have access to a vehicle, it’s undoubtedly the best way to get to the ski resort near Seoul of your choice.

If you’re traveling with family, or a group, and feel comfortable driving in foreign countries, renting a car is well worth it. Just be sure to pick up an International Drivers Permit in your home country, before landing in Korea.

Private Transfers or Tours: For a totally hassle-free experience, booking a shuttle bus, private transfer or day tour is really the best option. You’ll find options for how to do that further down in this article.

READ NEXT: 17 Insomniac Things to do in Seoul at Night

What to Expect When Skiing in Seoul

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.

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 in 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.

You’ll have to head further into Gangwon-do for fluffy powder and longer runs ⓒ Kim Jiho, Korea Tourism Organization

We don’t get much snowfall near Seoul, 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, or Alpensia (where the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics were held).

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 on a weekday.

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

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.

There are chair lifts, gondolas, and conveyer belts to transport skiers up the slope in Korea.

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Ski Resorts near Seoul | Gangwon-do

Gangwon-do Province lies to the east of Seoul. This is Korea’s outdoor and nature hub, with plenty of magnificent mountain ranges and golden beaches to explore. This region has the highest concentration of ski resorts in Korea.

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

Gangwon-do has a few ski resorts near Seoul that you could easily visit on a day trip, due to their proximity to the capital.

Keep in mind though, that the highest quality ski resorts in Korea are actually located quite a distance from Seoul, about 3 – 4 hours away, and are best experienced on a multi-day ski trip.

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Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort | 엘리시안 강촌 스키장

Address: 688, Bukhangangbyeon-gil, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do | 강원도 춘천시 남산면 북한강변길 688 (남산면)

www.elysian.co.kr

Elysian Gangchon is an incredibly popular ski resort near Seoul, geared towards beginner and intermediate skiers. 8 out of the 10 slopes in the snow park are designed for skiing at this level. There are 6 high speed ski lifts to transport skiers.

Elysian Gangchon is good place to learn how to ski

If you don’t have a car and want to travel by subway to ski or snowboard near Seoul, Elysian is pretty much your only option. It’s the only ski resort near Seoul that has a nearby train station.

If you want to go that route, get to Baegyang-ri Station (2 hours from Seoul). From there, it’s a 3 minute taxi ride ofr20 minute walk to Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort.

The Gangchon Rail Bike is a worthwhile experience near Elysian Ski Resort

Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort is in the same region as Alpaca World, Nami Island, Gangchon Rail Bike, and the Garden of Morning Calm, so these destinations are often combined into a single trip.

Elysian Gangchon Ski Packages, Lift Passes, and Transportation

Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort near Seoul opens on December 1st, 2023. Choose from a ton of different ski packages with options for equipment and clothing rental, overnight stays, lessons, and added attractions.

All-inclusive hassle-free ski packages:

• Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort 1 Day Ski Tour
• 2D1N Ski or Snowboard Tour at Elysian Ganchon Ski Resort in Elsuite Condo
• All-inclusive Ski Tour at Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort in Elsuite Condominium (Choose 2D1N / 3D2N / 4D3N or 5D4N)

Lift Passes, Lessons, Equipment and Clothing Rental Packages:

• Elysian Gangchon Ski Pass (Lift + Equipment + Clothes)
• Ski or Snowboard Lift Pass + Equipment/Clothes Rental Package at Elysian Gangchon
• Private Ski or Snowboard Lessons at Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort from Pyeongtaek/Camp Humphreys or Suwon Area
• Ski or Snowboard Lift Pass + Equipment / Clothes Rental + Private Ski Lesson Package

Transport:

• Private Car Charter from Seoul
• Ski or Snowboard Lift Pass + Equipment / Clothes Rental + Shuttle Bus Package
• 24/7 Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort Transfer (from/to Seoul & Incheon/Gimpo Airport) for up to 10 people

Ski tours, including visit to other nearby attractions:

• Elysian + Nami Island
• Elysian Ski Pass + Strawberry Picking + Squid Game Experience
• 1 Day Tour to Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort + Garden of Morning Calm Light Festival + Nami Island

Accommodation: Elysian Ganchon Resort

• Check prices on Booking
• Check prices on Agoda
• Check prices on Trazy

Vivaldi Park Ski World | 비발디 파크 스키월드

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

www.sonohotelsresorts.com

Vivaldi Park Ski World is located in Hongcheon, just across the Gangwon-do provincial boundary, so it’s one of the closest ski resorts to Seoul. It takes approximately 90 minutes to get there under normal traffic conditions.

You’ll also find an awesome sledding hill called Snowyland at Vivaldi Park Ski Resort.

This is the largest ski resort in the Seoul Metropolitan area, with the distinction of being the most visited ski resort in Korea for the last 7 years running. This is 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, it’s best to visit Vivaldi Park Ski Resort on a weekday.

It can get very busy at Vivaldi Park on weekends.

However, it’s popular for good reason.

With 12 slopes in total, ranging in difficulty from beginner to expert, Vivaldi is a trendy ski park with something to please absolutely everyone, including couples, groups, families, skiers, and snowboarders.

Sledding is available for non-skiers ⓒ Lee Beomsu, Korea Tourism Organization

Each slope is named after a different music genre and accompanied by a corresponding soundtrack, like Hip-Hop, Jazz or Techno. There’s even a family-friendly snow zone called Snowyland, which would keep kids and non-skiers entertained all day.

Enjoying the infinity pool on our autumn staycation at Sono Felice Resort.

I recently had a mini autumn staycation at Sono Felice, and can vouch for the quality of accommodation and incredible amount of amenities available at Vivaldi Park Ski World. I loved it so much, we’re headed back there in a month to try out their winter activities! I’ll be sure to update with a full report.

CAN’T SKI? Check out Vivaldi Park Snowy Land Sledding Hill instead!

Vivaldi Park Ski Packages, Lift Passes, and Transportation

Vivaldi Park Ski Resort near Seoul opens on November 25th, 2023.

All-inclusive hassle-free ski packages:

• 1 Day Vivaldi Park Ski World Tour
• 1 Day Vivaldi Park Ski World + Snowy Land
• 1 Day Ski, Snowboard or Snowy Land Snow Sled Tour at Vivaldi Park Ski Resort
• 2D1N Ski or Snowboard Tour at Vivaldi Park Ski Resort
• 3D2N / 4D3N Ski Tour at Vivaldi Park Ski Resort

Lift Passes, Lessons, Equipment and Clothing Rental Packages:

• Ski / Snowboard Lift Pass + Equipment/Clothes Rental Package at Vivaldi Park
• Private Ski or Snowboard Lesson
• Private Ski / Snowboard Lessons at Vivaldi Park Ski Resort from Pyeongtaek/Camp Humphreys or Suwon Area
• Ski / Snowboard Lift Pass + Equipment/Clothes Rental + Private Ski Lesson Package

Transport:

• Private Car Charter from Seoul
• 24/7 Vivaldi Park Ski Resort Private Transfer (from/to Seoul & Incheon/Gimpo Airport) for up to 10 people

Ski tours, including visit to other nearby attractions:

• Vivaldi Park Ski World + Nami Island
• Strawberry Picking + Vivaldi Park Ski Resort 1 Day Tour

Our gorgeous room at Sono Felice Resort

Accommodation: Sono Hotels and Resorts

• Check prices on Booking at Sono Felice | Sono Pet Clubs | Vivaldi Park
• Check prices on Agoda at Sono Felice | Vivaldi Park
• Check prices on Trazy

Oak Valley Ski Packages, Lift Passes, and Transportation

Oak Valley Ski Resort near Seoul opens on December 3rd 2023.

• Oak Valley Resort Ski Day Trip with Ski School
• Private Car Charter from Seoul
• 24/7 Oak Valley Ski Resort Private Transfer (from/to Seoul & Incheon/Gimpo Airport) for up to 10 people

Welli Hilli Snow Park Ski Packages, Lift Passes, and Transportation

Welli Hilli Ski Park in Wonju, near Seoul, opens on December 8th, 2023.

• Welli Hilli Ski Resort 1 Day Tour

Accommodation: Welli Hilli Resort

• Check prices on Agoda at Welli Hilli Park Resort | Welli Hilli Hyundai Sungwoo Resort
• Check prices on Klook

Ski Resorts near Seoul | Gyeonggi-do

The are 5 ski resorts near Seoul, in Gyeonggi-do Province. If you’re short on time, these are the best ski resorts to consider, since they’re directly surrounding the city of Seoul. It’s possible to reach some of these ski and snow parks in less than an hour!

Head to a ski resort in Gyeonggi-do if you’re short on time ⓒ Kim Jiho, Korea Tourism Organization

Bears Town Ski Resort | 베어스타운리조트 스키장

Address: 27, Geumgang-ro 2536beon-gil, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do | 경기도 포천시 내촌면 금강로2536번길 27

www.bearstown.com

Bears Town Ski Resort near Seoul is located in Pocheon, less than an hour away. It’s the largest ski resort in Gyeonggi-do Province, with super fast ski lifts capable of transporting 15,200 skiers per hour to its 10 ski hills. The sheer size of Bears Town makes it possible to enjoy less crowded slopes.

Bears Town is one of the largest ski resorts near Seoul.

There are 3 slopes at Bears Town approved by the International Ski Federation. If you’re a non-skier or family traveler, it also has the longest sledding slope in Korea.

Bears Town Ski Packages, Lift Passes, and Transportation

Bears Town Ski Resort near Seoul is closed for the 2022 / 2023 season.

• Limited Offer: Bears Town 1 Day Tour with Full Package (1.29 – 2.2, 2022)
• Bears Town Ski Resort 1 Day Tour
• Bears Town Ski/Sled + Strawberry Picking 1 Day Tour

Accommodation: Bears Town

• Check prices on Booking
• Check prices on Agoda
• Check prices on Klook

Jisan Forest Ski Resort | 지산 포레스트 리조트 스키장

Address: 267, Jisan-ro, Icheon-si, Gyeonggi-do | 경기도 이천시 마장면 지산로 267

www.jisanresort.co.kr

Jisan Forest Ski Resort is located in Icheon, south of Seoul. It takes around an hour to reach it by car under normal traffic conditions.

Jisan Forest is ideal for beginners, like my daughter, to learn how to ski.

There are 7 ski hills that are ideally geared towards beginner and intermediate level skiers, with broad slopes, and gentle inclines. If you’re looking for a quick trip out of Seoul, one big advantage of Jisan Forest Ski Resort is that it offers foreigners an onsite discount of 20%. Just bring your passport along to show at the ticket counter.

Jisan Forest Ski Packages, Lift Passes, and Transportation

Jisan Forest Ski Resort near Seoul opens on December 5th, 2023.

• Jisan Ski Resort 1 Day Tour
• Jisan Ski Resort Package: Lift Pass + Ski/Snowboard Equipment/Clothes Rental + Shuttle Bus
• Jisan Ski Resort + Optional Everland 1 Day Tour

Konjiam Ski Resort | 곤지암리조트 스키장

Address: 278, Docheogwit-ro, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do | 경기도 광주시 도척면 도척윗로 278

www.konjiamresort.co.kr

Konjiam Ski Resort is located just 50-km to the south of Seoul. There are 9 ski slopes and 5 super-fast ski lifts that can transport almost 15,000 people per hour. Most of the ski hills are rated at the intermediate level.

Konjiam’s capacity limit means it’s never too crowded on the slopes ⓒ Kim Jiho, Korea Tourism Organization

The hourly capacity limit of 7000 skiers per hour, makes Konjiam super unique among Korea’s ski resorts. They even guarantee a waiting time of 15 minutes or less for their ski lifts.

They’re also the first ski resort near Seoul to utilize a pass system based on hours vs daily rates, called the ME-Time Pass.

Konjiam has a unique pass system ⓒ Kim Jiho, Korea Tourism Organization

Konjiam is also one of the easiest ski resorts to reach from Seoul. Get there by getting off at Gonjiam Station on Gyeonggang line, then hopping on one of the resort’s hourly shuttle buses.

Yangji Pine Resort Ski Valley | 양지파인리조트 스키장

Address: 112, Nampyeong-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do | 경기도 용인시 처인구 양지면 남평로 112

www.pineresort.com

Yangji Pine Resort opened on December 4th, 2022.

You can rent or purchase almost everything you need at ski resorts near Seoul.

Tips for Visiting Ski Resorts in Seoul

• There are lockers available at every ski resort to store your belongings. These are usually coin operated so come prepared with some bills or change.
• You can rent absolutely everything you need for a day of skiing onsite at the ski resort.
• Goggles, helmets and gloves are not usually included in a ski clothing rental, so come prepared with your own.
• If you don’t have goggles or helmets, you can rent them at an additional cost.
• There are stores to buy any extra items you can’t rent, like gloves or sunglasses.
• You’ll find a huge variety of restaurants, cafes and other activities at most ski resorts near Seoul.

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Now you know everything you need to know to embark on an excellent winter adventure. Which of the ski resorts near Seoul will you visit?