Skiing in Korea: Yongpyong vs High1 vs Vivaldi Park — Which Resort? (2025)
South Korea has a serious ski culture — not surprising for a country where 70% of the land is mountainous and winters are reliably cold. The ski industry matured significantly around the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, and Korean resorts now offer well-maintained slopes, modern lift systems, comfortable facilities, and excellent value compared to European or North American alternatives. Here's how to choose the right resort and plan your trip.
Resort Comparison
| Feature | Yongpyong | High1 | Vivaldi Park |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Gangwon-do (Pyeongchang) | Gangwon-do (Jeongseon) | Gangwon-do (Hongcheon) |
| Distance from Seoul | ~170 km (2h by KTX + shuttle) | ~200 km (2.5h by KTX + shuttle) | ~140 km (1.5h by car/bus) |
| Total trails | 31 slopes | 17 slopes | 21 slopes |
| Max elevation | 1,458 m | 1,340 m | 700 m |
| Vertical drop | 830 m | 830 m | 370 m |
| Best for | All levels; Olympic heritage | Intermediate/expert | Beginners; day trips |
| On-site accommodation | Yes (Dragon Valley Hotel) | Yes (High1 Grand Hotel) | Yes (Oakwood Premier) |
| Night skiing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price (day pass) | KRW 60,000–80,000 | KRW 60,000–75,000 | KRW 55,000–70,000 |
Yongpyong (용평리조트)
The case for Yongpyong: The most famous Korean ski resort — known internationally as the venue for slalom and giant slalom events during the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Largest number of slopes in Korea, spanning beginner to black diamond terrain. The Dragon Plaza base area is well-developed with restaurants, shops, and accommodation.
Slopes: 31 trails across 6 slope clusters. Olympic-grade expert runs on the upper mountain; broad, gentle beginner slopes near the base. The Gold/Rainbow area is particularly suited to families.
Olympic experience: The gondola to the summit (where the Olympic events were held) provides panoramic views. Several Olympic-specific facilities remain in operation.
Getting there:
- KTX: Cheongnyangni Station → Jinbu Station (진부역), approximately 1 hour 10 minutes, then Yongpyong shuttle bus (25 min)
- Weekend shuttle bus: Direct from central Seoul hotels — check resort website for schedule
- Driving: Approximately 2.5 hours from Seoul via Olympic-daero expressway
Book at: yongpyong.co.kr (lift passes, accommodation, packages)
High1 (하이원리조트)
The case for High1: Preferred by intermediate and advanced skiers who want vertical and speed without Yongpyong's crowds. The Mountain Top Summit trail (8.5 km, longest in Korea) is a highlight. The resort town of Jeongseon is scenic and less tourist-saturated than Pyeongchang.
Slopes: 17 trails but longer runs than Yongpyong on average. The upper mountain area has excellent powder conditions after snowfall. Well-maintained grooming on weekdays.
Cable car: The gondola ride from the base to the summit offers outstanding views of the Gangwon mountain range — worth doing even for non-skiers.
Altitude advantage: High1's summit reaches 1,340 m — consistent snow conditions throughout the season. Snow quality is generally drier and more consistent than lower-elevation resorts.
Getting there:
- KTX: Cheongnyangni → Jeongseon (정선역, Jeongseon Arirang Rail), approximately 2 hours, then resort shuttle
- Alternatively: KTX to Jeungsan Station + shuttle
Book at: high1.com
Vivaldi Park (비발디파크)
The case for Vivaldi Park: The easiest resort to reach from Seoul without a car — a direct bus from Seoul makes this ideal for a spontaneous day trip. The skiing is less impressive than Yongpyong or High1, but the facilities are complete and beginners will find everything they need.
Slopes: 21 trails, maximum vertical of 370 m — good for learning, less compelling for experienced skiers. The beginner area (Magic Park) is excellent.
Water Park: Vivaldi Park's Ocean World (오션월드) water park operates year-round — a unique combo for families (ski in the morning, water park in the afternoon, though the water park is indoor/heated in winter).
Getting there:
- Direct intercity bus: Seoul Express Bus Terminal → Vivaldi Park, approximately 1.5 hours
- Organized day tour packages from major Seoul hotels (includes bus + lift pass)
Book at: daemyungresort.com/vivaldi
Season and Snow Conditions
Best months: January–February for reliable snow depth and powder conditions
Opening: Usually late November
Closing: Late February to mid-March (varies by year)
Korean holidays to avoid: Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year — typically late January/early February) and Christmas week — extreme crowds
Snow conditions: Korea relies on natural snowfall plus snowmaking systems. Gangwon Province (where all major resorts are located) averages 80–150 cm of snowfall per season. Cold continental air keeps snow dry and consistent.
What to Bring
- Ski clothing: Rentable at all resorts, but bringing your own is more comfortable. Thermal base layer is essential — temperatures range from -5°C to -15°C on slopes.
- Helmet: Mandatory for children; strongly recommended for adults. Rentable at resort.
- Goggles: Essential; rental available but quality varies.
- Sunscreen: High-altitude UV is significant even in winter.
- Hand warmers (핫팩): Available at convenience stores for KRW 500–1,000 each.
On-Mountain Food
Korean ski resort food is surprisingly good and affordable:
- Dosirak (도시락): Packed rice meals sold at cafeteria counters — convenient, warm, cheap
- Tteokbokki and ramyeon: The standard slope-side warm-up meal at every resort
- Sundae: Blood sausage sold at outdoor carts near the lift base — a Korean ski tradition
- Hotteok: Sweet filled pancakes, best from outdoor vendors
Prices on-mountain run KRW 8,000–15,000 per meal — bring cash.
Ski Package Tips
Resort packages (lift + accommodation) offer significant savings over booking separately. All three resorts offer weekday packages at 30–40% discounts versus weekends.
Klook and KKday offer Seoul day trip packages including bus transport, lift pass, and equipment rental — convenient for first-timers.
Credit cards: Accepted everywhere in resorts. Kakao Pay and Naver Pay are also widely used.