There’s a good reason we look forward to winter: to ski right away. Personally, I’ve been waiting for the past year to get back to my winter pastimes of skiing and boarding, and I’m most likely not the only one. In honour of the slopes reopening, we’ve compiled a list of ski resorts near Seoul where you can ski all day and into the evening.
1. Konjiam Resort
Located in Gwangju, a 40-minute drive from Gangnam, you’ll find Konjiam Resort Ski Area. The snow quality on the slopes is excellent and the views from the top are spectacular too. For an additional benefit for a ski resort so close to Seoul, there are plenty of beginner, intermediate, and advanced slopes for everyone to enjoy. As a long-time skier, I’ve been to Konjiam eight or nine times, and I won’t be absent from the slopes for long!
📣 Opening day of the ski slopes at Konjiam Resort this year is December 8, 2023.
2. Elysian Gangchon Ski
Gangchon is the site of many a university MT pilgrimage, so it’s easy to get excited about taking the train to Gangchon if you’ve got fond memories of this. Elysian Gangchon is a ski resort that can be reached by the Cheongchun Line train or ITX Youth Train, making it convenient for travellers to visit. Of the ten slopes, eight are for beginners and intermediates, making it a great place for first-time skiers to practice their skills.
📣 Opening day of the ski slopes at Elysian Gangchon Ski this year is December 1, 2023.
3. Vivaldi Park Ski World
Located in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, Vivaldi Park Ski World is about an hour’s drive away from Seoul. A day trip to the slopes is great, but since you’re coming a little further afield, it’s worth staying and exploring the surrounding area. The quality of snow here is quite good, making it a favourite among skiing enthusiasts.
📣 Opening day of the ski slopes at Vivaldi Park Ski World this year is November 29, 2023.
4. Oak Valley Ski Resort
Moving slightly further away from Seoul we find Oak Valley Ski Resort, close to Wonju in Gangwon Province, and about an hour and a half to two hours from Seoul. Oak Valley is a relatively affordable option amongst these ski resorts, and the gentle slope is perfect for beginners and amateurs to practice the basics.
📣 The estimated opening date for the ski area at Oak Valley Ski Resort is December 15, 2023.
5. Welli Hilli Park
Located in Hwaseong, Gangwon-do, Welli Hilli Park is an international-quality ski resort with 20 segmented slopes and a snow park. The quality of the snow is excellent and comparable to other renowned South Korean ski resorts such as High1 Ski Resort in Gangwon-do, making it a must-visit for winter leisure enthusiasts who love skiing and boarding.
📣 Opening day of the ski slopes at Welli Hilli Park this year is December 1, 2023.
6. Yong Pyong Ski Resort
Yong Pyong Ski Resort is located in Daegwallyeong on the eastern edge of South Korea, but if you take the KTX to Gangneung from Seoul Station, you can reach Jinbu Station near the resort in 1 hour 30 minutes. Yong Pyong Ski Resort is the furthest distance from Seoul out of all these ski resorts, but as the largest ski and snowboard resort in Korea with six kilometres of slopes, it is worth the journey. The resort is famous for its Rainbow Paradise slope, which starts at the top of Mt. Balwangsan via the Mt. Balwangsan Sightseeing Cable Car, and was ranked No. 1 in the Resort Brand Reputation Ranking conducted by the Korea Corporate Reputation Institute in December 2022.
📣Opening day of the ski slopes at Yong Pyong Ski Resort this year is November 24, 2023.
*Each ski area’s opening schedule is subject to change based on weather conditions and the specific location. For more information, please visit their respective official websites.