Most ski resorts are large leisure centers that offer pleasant accommodations and convenient facilites to visitors throughout the entire year. Of course, the most popular time to visit the resorts is during the peak ski season from mid-December to the end of February. During this time, prices for accommodations go up and rooms fill up fast, so visitors who are unable to get lodging within the resort complexes are advised to check out hotels, motels, or pensions (inns) in the surrounding area.

Many of the ski resorts of Korea are scattered throughout Gangwon-do Province, the region that gets the most annual snowfall. However, skiers based in Seoul will be happy to know that there are a number of great ski facilities just past the city limits, allowing for quick, convenient ski trips during the weekend.

Most ski resorts are large leisure centers that offer pleasant accommodations and convenient facilites to visitors throughout the entire year. Of course, the most popular time to visit the resorts is during the peak ski season from mid-December to the end of February. During this time, prices for accommodations go up and rooms fill up fast, so visitors who are unable to get lodging within the resort complexes are advised to check out hotels, motels, or pensions (inns) in the surrounding area.

Ski resort in Gang Won
Yongpyong Resort:Professional Facilities & Filming Location ofWinter Sonata
Yongpyong Resort lies on a stretch of land 700 meters to 1,500 meters above sea level, an altitude range that is said to be ideal for the human biorhythm. Yongpyong Resort was the first ski resort in Korea to offer modern facilities, and is fondly known as the "Alps of Korea." Many people even go so far as to say that this particular resort has become synonymous with the development and popularization of skiing across the nation. Yongpyong Resort can accommodate more skiers at a time than any venue in the country and has successfully hosted the World Cup Ski Championship, the Winter Asian Games, and other international ski competitions for many years, building a strong international reputation. Widely known as a filming location of the famous drama ‘Winter Sonata,' this ski resort is particularly popular among tourists from Japan and other Asian countries.

Yongpyong has taken full advantage of the natural terrain and has developed top-notch ski facilities that are said to be the best ski facilities in Korea. The resort's 28 slopes (6 slopes of which have been approved for international competitions), half-pipe (which is bigger than regulation size), and 15 lifts (including a 7.4-kilometer round-trip gondola) offer visitors a variety of ski and snowboarding facilities for a wintertime getaway that's out of this world.

The slopes at Yongpyong see an average annual snowfall of 250 centimeters, meaning that this excellent facility can stay open from mid-November to early April (slightly longer than the regular ski season).

Daemyung Vivaldi Park:The Thrill of Nighttime Skiing
Daemyung Vivaldi Park Ski World was the first ski resort in Korea to offer nighttime skiing and has since become the place to be for Korea's young skiers. The catchy names of the slopes, such as ‘Hip-Hop,' ‘Techno,' and ‘Funky,' are all geared towards young adult skiers and some of the more advanced slopes are uniquely designed with unexpected twists and turns for maximum thrills.

For those who are new to winter sports, Daemyung Vivaldi Park Ski World offers the perfect setting to safely learn skiing and snowboarding (ski and snowboard lessons are available). Slopes of varying inclines and distances give new snow sport enthusiasts the perfect chance to gradually work their way up from the bunny slopes to the more advanced courses. Daemyung offers a total of
13 different slopes and 10 lifts.

Phoenix Park Ski Resort:Snowboarder's Heaven
Not only known for its 21 broad meadow slopes—with panoramic views!—Phoenix Park has gained attention nationwide for its "Extreme Park": a snowboarding park complete with a halfpipe, tabletop, round quarter, and rails. Visitors can also expect a fairly easy time of getting around within the park, with 8-person gondolas and a system of 8 lifts that is differentiated by skiing ability.

Located 700 meters up the side of Mount Taegisan (1,261 meters above sea level), Phoenix Park, though large, seems to harmonize well with the surrounding landscape. The beautiful natural scenery, perfect powder, and special facilities (llike the mountaintop Mount Blanc restaurant) all make for a stellar ski or snowboarding experience.

Sungwoo Resort:International Snowboarding Mecca
Recognized for its size and safety by the International Ski Federation (FIS), Sungwoo Resort is equipped with half pipes and boardwalks that meet the size qualifications for international competitions. Its FIS certification and variety of facilities has made it a popular destination for hardcore snowboarders.

The resort offers 18 slopes for everyone, from beginners to professional skiers, as well as a mogul course for the utmost in fun and thrills. The mogul course is a steep run with mounds of snow placed where snowboarders least expect them. Naturally, it is the ultimate challenge for snowboarders who want to perfect their skills! The Fun Park, the largest of its kind in Korea, offers more than 10 facilities including C Box, X Box, and Wall Box for snowboarders to try out their tricks.