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Gangwon-do Province, known for its abundant winter snowfall, is now home to a new ski resort. Kangwon Land, already famous for its casino hotel, and has invested 400 billion won into building “High 1 Ski Resort” with 18 ski slopes near the hotel, which has opened in December 2006. Visitors can now enjoy both the slopes and the casino at the same location. This ski resort is the first in Korea to be connected by train making it even more attractive. The train station dates back to the time when this area was a major coal production center. The coal mines may be closed now, but the train station plays a new role, serving passengers bound for the slopes. Various onboard events offer plenty of fun during the ride.
In this edition, KTO’s Chinese editor Cai Dan and programmer Lee Sang-yeop headed out to “High 1” by train.
[Related Articles]
- Gangwon-do Resorts: Best Recommended Winter Spots
- Top Rate Ski Resorts Near Seoul
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▒ High 1 Ski Train is So Fun!
The High 1 ski train, which departs at 08:02 am from Seoul Station, has amazing images of soaring ski boarders on the train’s outer exterior. We started on our trip with great expectations, highlighted by Cai Dan’s incredible transformation.
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Hoping to win a 100% lift discount ticket, Cai Dan tried a variety of events on the train. Her first challenge was bingo, but unfortunately she had to settle for a consolation prize - a hot pack. The next event was tic-tac-toe. Despite her incredible efforts, she had to settle for a 50% lift discount ticket. The train ride, which could have been rather boring, turned out to be quite a lot of fun. It wasn’t long before we were halfway to our destination.
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The last train event was the singing contest, where Cai Dan’s talents blossomed. Wearing a pair of loose pants usually worn by old ladies in rural areas, a wig of tight curls, and a pair of glasses with drooping eyes, she completely let go of her reputation and feminine grace to win first prize, and her efforts paid off! The train echoed with passengers’ applause and the results of the contest, submitted through wireless text messaging, put her in 2nd place for a free lift ticket.
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All the events took but thirty minutes of our trip. After four hours of laughter and chatting, we finally reached our destination, Gohan station! |
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▒ Enjoy the Best Facilities at High 1 Ski Resort!
Following our 2-night/3-day stay at High 1 Ski Resort, Cai Dan and the whole team agreed that it had the best facilities in Korea, particularly for beginners. The 4.2-km bunny hill is the longest in the nation. Also, the resort offers ski schools and training areas at two sites called Mountain Base and Valley Base, as well as a ski school on these two peaks, enabling beginners to learn how to ski from the top. After practicing on the beginners-only slopes, they moved down the slope to the Valley Base.
Unlike other ski resorts that only offer lifts, High 1 enables guests to travel conveniently and safely back and forth to various facilities on a ski gondola connecting all facilities to High 1 Hotel. No wonder High 1 is receiving such positive feedback for its gondola. Lockers and shower facilities inside the changing rooms make it super convenient to take a quick shower and to store clothing while you are on the slopes.
Secrets Revealed!! Enjoy High 1 Ski Resort for Free! |
 It is no secret that a beginner who buys a lift ticket on the first day is wasting money. So, here are a few tips on how to enjoy High 1 ski slopes for free. If you are a beginner and you have a friend or acquaintance who can teach you to ski, all you have to do is just rent skis or boards from the Mountain Base and go to Athena 3 ski slope right next to the ski school.
This is a beginner’s slope that runs 1.8 kilometers from Mountain Base to Valley Base. If you are confident after your first try, buy a lift ticket at Valley Base. Otherwise, take a free shuttle bus from Valley Base to go back to Mountain Base for more practice. There are buses every 10 to 15 minutes. Cai Dan chose this course on her first day.
→ For more information on the High 1 Ski Resort
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[A Surprise Interview with Programmer Kim U-il]
On our second day at the ski resort, we met a photographer wearing an impressive mask at the ski jump in Valley Herb. He was taking pictures of skiers and snowboarders.
Reporter: What brings you here?
Kim U-il: I came here with a few journalists to take some photos.
Reporter: Are you a professional sports photographer?
Kim U-il: Yes. I take pictures of skiers and snowboarders as a profession. I usually go to Japan but I came here because I heard good things about it.
Reporter: How do you compare ski resorts in Japan to this one?
Kim U-il: Very favorably - comparable to the best ski resorts in Japan. In fact, I think it is better. By the way, have you been to the Top of the Top? It’s a revolving restaurant at the Mountain’s Summit. The food is quite good.
Reporter: Actually, we were planning to go there tonight. Thanks!
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| [Top of the Top Restaurant] |
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▒ Ski by Day and Casino by Night!
The best advantage High 1 has to offer is its casino. Kangwon Land’s Hotel Casino is the only facility that allows Korean patrons. Since Kangwon Land Hotel and High 1 Ski Resort are owned by the same company, a free shuttle bus runs every 10 to 15 minutes between Kangwon Land Hotel, Mountain Condominium, and Valley Condominium. After enjoying a day of skiing or snowboarding, you can visit the casino in the evening and try your luck here. Open 24 hours a day, it offers free drinks. You can also relax in one of the lounges or dine at one of the restaurants. Foreign visitors get in free, and Korean visitors pay a 5,000-won entry fee.
→ For more information on the Kangwon Land Casino
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[Interview with a Hong Kong Traveler at Kangwon Land Hotel]
Lee Hon Tak (on the right) came from Hong Kong to enjoy some skiing.
Reporter: How did you learn about High 1 Ski Resort?
Lee Hon Tak: I wanted to go skiing somewhere so I checked out various group packages, and saw an ad about this new ski resort and wanted to check it out. As you may know, we don’t have any snow in Hong Kong.
Reporter: So what is your first impression?
Lee Hon Tak: It’s very nice -actually, it seems to be the best. But I’ve only been here for a couple hours, so I’ll see if it lives up to its reputation.
Reporter: What do you think about the theme park at Kangwon Land Hotel?
Lee Hon Tak: Oh, it’s nice, but it’s mainly for children.
Reporter: The animation “Miracle World” on the top floor of the theme park was pretty good. Make sure to check it out. Enjoy your trip!
Lee Hon Tak: Thanks! Good luck with your news coverage. |
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Recommended Auxiliary Facilities at High 1 and Kangwon Land
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We met Lee Hon Tak (We had met him earlier at the theme park in Kangwon Land Hotel) again in Casa Cinema at 7 pm. He said he hadn’t done much after lunch so we recommended a few facilities at Kangwon Land and High 1.
No 1. Swimming Pool + Sauna: Located in Kangwon Land’s Hotel, the pool and sauna are integrated into one. Water slides, an indoor swimming pool, and a bade pool make it a great place to relax or to have fun after skiing. Costs 15,000 won for 13 years old and up / 11,000 won for 3 through 12 years old
No 2. Surprise Show :
Enjoy a free show (7 pm every evening) at Casa Cinema in Kangwon Land’s Hotel, featuring a one-hour performance by a Russian troupe and a Chinese circus troupe.
No 3. Snow Sledding: Located directly in front of High 1 Hotel, this gentle slope attracts many children as well as adults. This may be a good option for visitors with no prior winter sports experience since it is easier than skiing or snowboarding. |
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| Kangwon Land Hotel |
• Visitor Information
1. Korea Travel Phone: +82-2-1330 (English, Japanese, Chinese), 24 hours toll-free
2. Accommodation Reservation: +82-33-590-7700 (English, Japanese, Chinese)
3. Transportation: The best way to reach High 1 is by train either from Seoul Station or Cheongnyangni Station in Seoul. High 1 Ski Resort is only a 10 to 15-minute drive from the train station, making train travel quite convenient. High 1’s ski train passengers can get a free shuttle bus from Gohan train station to the ski resort. If you take a regular train, you’ll have to take a cab (costs about 6,000 won). The express bus is a less convenient option, since the Gohan Bus Terminal is rather far from the ski resort.
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By Train
[High 1 Ski Train]
Fare: Round-trip: 45,000 won / one-way: 22,500 won
Travel time: 3 hours, 50 minutes
Boarding: Seoul Station (Seoul Subway Line 1, Seoul Station), Cheongnyangni Station (Seoul Subway Line 1, Cheongnyangni Station)
Reservation: 1588-7789 (English)
Schedule:
- Seoul Station (08:02) → Cheongnyangni Station (08:25) → Gohan Station (12:00)
- Gohan Station (13:40) → Cheongnyangni Station (17:05) → Seoul Station (17:33)
[Regular Train]
Fare: 14,300 won for ages 14 and up / 7,200 won for ages 3 through 12 years old
Travel time: 3 hours, 50 minutes
Boarding: Cheongnyangni Station (Seoul Subway Line 1, Cheongnyangni Station)
Train Schedule:
- Weekdays: 6 times daily from Cheongnyangni to Gohan / 7 times daily from Gohan to Cheongnyangni (train intervals 2-2.5 hours)
- Weekends: There is one more train leaving from Cheongnyangni Station at 21:50.
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By Shuttle Bus
Fare: Ages 13+ round-trip: 30,000 won / one-way: 16,000 won
Ages 3~12 round-trip: 20,000 won / one-way: 11,000 won
Schedule and departures: http://www.high1.co.kr/
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By Express Bus
Operating Hours: 06:30~23:00 (Over 15 daily departures)
Fare: One-way: 14,500 won
Departure: Dong Seoul Express Bus Terminal (Subway Line 2, Gangbyeon Station)
Express Bus Schedule: 16 times daily, bus intervals 1 hour, 06:30- 23:00 (from Seoul), 06:20 – 23:25 (from Gohan)
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| Written & Photographed by Reporter Hong Mi-Kyung |
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