WITH recent cold weather and snow in some areas, the seasonal transition to winter has begun. And this means it's time for ski buffs and snowboard lovers to get geared up. Ski and snowboarding areas are now busy getting their lifts and slopes ready. Looking for bargains on your ski trip? Then, this might be the perfect time. Most ski slopes are scheduled to open their doors this weekend, offering special discounts for early visitors.
The 2010-2011 ski season kicked off, earlier than previous years, when Phoenix Park, located in Pyeongchang in Gangwon Province, opened its first lift at the end of October. Two main ski slopes are now in operation at the resort.
Yongpyong Resort, one of the country's largest resorts in Pyeongchang, also opened its slopes on Nov12. Although snow machines were used for the early opening, it had a good start last weekend, attracting more than 2,000 visitors, according to spokesman Jung Sung-yeon. "We expect the number to double this Saturday. And if we get some snow, we'll open it fully later this month," said Jung.
Avid skier Jung Jung-jin, 37, said he enjoyed his time at Phoenix Park last week. It was the first time he had hit the slopes this winter. "I was so excited. I'd been waiting so long for the arrival of this ski season," Jung said. "I could still see the grass off to the sides of the trail. But apart from that, I had a good time skiing on the slopes."
"It's just great when you are skiing in November, because normally in November the resorts are not very busy" he added. For some, knowing where to ski can also be tricky. So here are some tips that might be of help to you.
Skiing or boarding?
Many ski lovers pick Yongpyong Resort as their favorite place. The resort gained international recognition after hosting the Winter Asian Games in 1999 and World Cup Ski competition in 2000.
Nestled deep in Daegwallyeong with over 4,300 acres of terrain, it has 31 ski slopes six of them approved for international competitions and 15 lifts on offer. Because its slopes are higher than many other resorts, the resort offers various runs to challenge all levels. And with an average of 250 inches of snow each winter, it enjoys one of the longest seasons in Korea. This season it added 10 new snow machines. What's more, Yongpyong is introducing live web cam access via its homepage that will enable visitors to check the condition of its slopes.
Spreading over 1,700 aces at the foot of Mt. Deokyu, in North Jeolla Province, Muju resort (www.mujuresort.com) is a well-known spot for intermediate and advanced skiers. Seven among the total of 30 slopes are for expert skiers only while the country's longest run, Silk Road, stretches to 6.2 km. It also boasts the steepest slope, the 60-degree Raider course. The opening day has been set for Nov 27.
For snowboarding buffs, Phoenix Park (www.pp.co.kr) is a must-go place. The 2.4 km Panorama run is a popular trail for beginners and intermediate boarders. And Extreme Park that features various jumps and drops promises plenty of thrills to advanced snowboarders.
Hyundai Sungwoo Resort (www.hdsungwoo.co.kr) is another hot spot for riders. Located in Hoengseong, Gangwon Province, the resorts has a total of 20 slopes on offer. It made its strong appeal to snowboarders around the world when it hosted the country's first FIS World Snowboard Championship in 2009.
It offers a 180-metre long half pipe and a 200-meter long boardwalk. And it is now getting ready to open a new board cross trail that will feature bank turns, drop-offs and jump courses for maximum thrill.
For short trips
If work or school prevents you from going away on a ski trip, check out some resorts in Gyeonggi Province. There are various places to go just outside of Seoul, all within one hour's drive.
Konjiam Resort (www.konjiamresort.co.kr), which opened in 2007 in Gwangju, is only a 40-minute drive from the southern end of Seoul. This multi-purpose center is the largest resort in the region, boasting a total length of 7.2 km slopes. To save time in queues for lift tickets, the resort is installing an online booking system.
It's also an ideal place for a family trip. All the 476 guest rooms have self-catering facilities with a fully equipped kitchen. Free shuttle services are available across Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. The resort is planning to open Nov 26.
Jisan Forest Resort (www.jisanresort.co.kr) is located in Incheon, some 50 km from south of Seoul. As the mountains in this region are relatively low, Jisan Forest has wide nursery slopes and easy ski access, making it a popular option for beginners and families. Also, this season it has added a new 400-metre slope for beginners. The resort also offers a free shuttle bus services. Reservations are available for the free shuttle via its website.
Midnight skiing
To avoid the largest crowds, an increasing number of skiers are now opting for night skiing and riding. Gangwon Province's Daemyung Vivaldi Park (www.daemyungresort.com) in Hongcheon was the country's pioneer to open its slopes 24 hours a day. The resort opened its first slopes Thursday. And full-time opening is expected next week.
Elysian Gangchon Resort (www.elysian.co.kr), located in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, is also favored by many night skiers for its easy accessibility. This season the resort stays open until 5 a.m.
You can now hop on a subway to get to Elysian as the Gyeongchun train line, which connects Seoul subway lines to Chuncheon, is expected to start operation in December. Nighttime skiing is already in operation in many resorts, including Yongpyong and Hyundai Sungwoo Resort. Season passes are much cheaper if purchased online this month. And skiers traveling in groups are getting more discounts.
Joining one of the online ski communities can also be a great advantage. Jung Jung-jin, who is in charge of a 15,000-member online ski community, said he coordinates numerous trips and activities throughout the ski season. "It's a great chance to come out, get to know new people, and share information about ski resorts," he said. "We welcome everyone, from the expert skiers to the total newbies. And we're offering free learning days for our members."