paid athletes in the world, Kim Yu-na is the honorary ambassador for South Korea’s 2018 Winter Olympics. There are now 18 ski resorts (including one indoor resort), the largest of which are dotted along the Taebaek Mountain Range in Gangwon-do Province. The four major ski-resorts: Yongpyong, Phoenix Park, Alpensia and High1 Resort are located in this region. Interestingly, all these resorts have large leisure-focused facilities with year-round offerings.
olympic dreams Opposite page from top: View of Alpensia; High1 Opening image: Yongpyong will host the alpine events at the Winter Olympics
The Mountains and the Snow The Taebaek Mountain Range averages only 1000 metres in height so the ski resorts are at a very low elevation compared to resorts in North America and Europe. All resorts are below the tree line but sadly, because the slopes are fenced off, there is no tree skiing. The snow-bearing systems come from Siberia in the northwest but, in contrast to Japan, which has some of the deepest powder in the world, South Korea does not benefit from the moisture build up when storms cross the Sea of Japan (East Sea). As a consequence, South Korea has developed what is probably the world’s most extensive and efficient snowmaking system. While ski and snowboard aficionados search the world for fresh powder, South Korea’s proficient snow making will come in handy for the Winter Olympics. It always seems like, no matter where they are held, there is never enough natural snow when the world’s top athletes are ready to compete. At least here in South Korea the International Olympic Committee is assured that plenty of snow will be on the ground so the show can go on. Because skiing and snowboarding are still in their infancy and because the mountains do not have sheer slopes that are common in the Alps or the Rockies, South Korea’s ski resorts are primarily geared to beginner and intermediate snow sports enthusiasts. There are plenty of high quality ski and snowboard rentals and you can even rent the latest ski and snowboarding gear. As for the Olympics, the competition facilities are all being purpose-built to the latest specifications so the resorts will deliver an excellent experience for both competitors and spectators.
The Key Resorts South Korea’s trailblazing resort, Yongpyong, which will host the Winter Olympic alpine events, has the country’s most extensive trail system with 31 runs across the ridge of Mount Balwangsan. There are 15 lifts including the 3.7 kilometre gondola which takes you to the 1500 metre Dragon’s Peak. We enjoyed the 5.6 kilometre Rainbow Paradise Trail which winds all the way down to the base village while those after a little airtime can check out Korea’s first terrain park. The ski school works in several languages and has a special kid’s program. There are loads of off-mountain activities including an indoor waterpark, indoor golf course, karaoke bars and a bowling alley. Not far away is Woljeongsa Temple, one of Korea’s oldest Buddhist temples. A highlight for us was a do-it-yourself barbecue feast of local Hangwoo beef, renowned throughout South Korea for its flavourful marbled texture, all the better when washed down with Cass beer. We enjoyed our time at Phoenix Park, which will be the Olympic snowboarding and freestyle centre. It was quite surreal to be able to ski all night, with the hardiest snow sports –102–
enthusiasts schussing until the wee hours, accompanied, of course, by the latest K-pop tunes. The resort has 22 ski slopes, 12 of which are accredited for international competition. They are serviced by eight lifts and a gondola that accesses Mont Blanc Restaurant at the top. The Extreme Park is the best in the country. Off piste, Phoenix Park has the country’s largest indoor/ outdoor water park and spa, a bowling alley, karaoke, billiards and a game centre, and nearby you can catch sensational views from a glass skywalk in Jeongseon County. Not far away, we had some terrific culinary adventures including feasting on dried pollock fish at a local restaurant and taking a cooking class at the Traditional Korean Food Centre where we learned to make buckwheat pancakes and bibimbap, a tasty mixed rice dish. There, too, we learned the secrets of Korea’s favourite dish, kimchi, where vegetables are fermented in clay pots. The much smaller Alpensia resort, which will host the ski jump, cross country, biathlon, luge and bobsleigh competitions, has just six downhill slopes that are perfect for beginners. Its name is a blend of Alpen (German for Alps), Asia, and Fantasia to give the image of the fantastic Alps of Asia. Indeed, this is the prettiest ski resort village with South Korea’s best slope-side luxury accommodation. We visited Alpensia’s impressive ski jump (with a terrific café in the tower) which will become a hub for ski jumping and Nordic competition after the Olympics. There’s a water park, traditional Korean bathhouse, golf course, shopping mall and music auditorium. Probably the most popular South Korean ski resort is the government-owned High1. The highest ski resort in the country, High1 has three peaks, 18 runs and 21 kilometres of slopes serviced by eight lifts and two gondolas. At the heart of the resort is a lavish casino, the only one in the country that is open to South Koreans. There is also a golf course, hiking trails, a sledding slope, retail shops, a cinema, bath houses, sound and light shows, and a luxury five-star conference hotel as well as two luxury condominiums. All in all, there is no doubt South Korea will stage the most efficient purpose-built Winter Olympic Games ever seen. And while it may not be able to deliver fresh powder or extreme slopes, you are always guaranteed that there will be plenty of snow. South Korea’s ski resorts are particularly suitable for families looking for a different cultural experience and terrific food in addition to easy skiing on wide slopes. Kids will love the water parks and games arcades and Mum and Dad might enjoy a turn at the casino as well. • Photography by the various resorts vacationsmag.com