Snow awaits skiers, snowboarders

Konjiam Resort in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, the closest ski resort to Seoul, has nine slopes. / Courtesy of Konjiam Resort

By Kim Rahn

Most ski resorts across the country have started operations, and they are equipped with new facilities and services.

Konjiam Resort

Konjiam Resort in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, is the closest ski resort to Seoul ― about 40 minutes away. The resort has nine slopes that are more than 100 meters long on average.

It uses the ME-TIME Pass that allows visitors to ski by the hour ― from one to six hours.

It also operates an online reservation and radio frequency identification (RFID) system for the lifts and limits the number of people using the slopes to 7,000 to enable skiers to enjoy skiing for enough time without having to queue for the lifts.

Konjiam has a 110-meter-long slope exclusively for sleds, and visitors can go to the top via a moving walkway.

It is open through 4 a.m. for night skiers. The resort has also expanded its free shuttle buses to 11 routes between it and Seoul and major Gyeonggi Province cities.

As part of a tailored service, the resort provides Konjiam V-Men, who help visitors rent and wear ski gear, and issue lift tickets.

Visitors can relax at Konjiam’s Spa la Spa after skiing.

Vivaldi Park’s Ski World in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, has a 130-meter-long sleigh slope for children. / Courtesy of Vivaldi Park

Elysian Gangchon

Elysian Gangchon in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, is accessible via subway that links between Sangbong Station in eastern Seoul and Chuncheon, or via the ITX Cheongchun, a high-speed train linking Seoul to Chuncheon. Visitors can get off the trains at Baekyangni Station that is situated within the resort.

The resort adopted a “U-Block” system, seatbelt-like safety equipment on lifts for children.

Safety guards patrol the slopes, while triple fences have been set up at points where crashes often take place.

Elysian also offers ski lessons with five people per instructor, the smallest number among resorts in Korea.

Vivaldi Park

Vivaldi Park’s Ski World in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, opens from 8:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. the next day, almost 24-hours except for the time to check the facilities.

It also operates a 130-meter-long sled slope.

For skiers, Vivaldi offers free admission to Ocean World, its water park, through the end of December. Those presenting lift ticket receipts can get admitted.

Concerts by famous singers are presented every Saturday night, including Whee Sung, Huh Gak, Hello Venus, Jung Dong-ha and Guckkasten. The concerts are followed by fireworks.

Jisan Forest Resort

Jisan Forest Resort is located in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, and is 40 minutes from Gangnam in Seoul.

The resort provides various types of lift tickets according to the time of a day ― morning, afternoon and night ― so visitors can choose their best schedule.

Free shuttle buses are available between the resort and Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, as well as night buses. Those using the buses can get a 50-percent discount for ski gear rental.

Yangji Pine Resort

Yangji Pine Resort in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, is also reached within an hour of ride.

Pine is the only ski resort in Gyeonggi which has a slope for mogul skiing. It has a total of 10 slopes and seven lifts.

Starting this season, the resort extended night ski times from 11 p.m. to 11:20 p.m.

The resort also has a sauna with thermal water, which was approved by the Korea Hot Spring Association last year.