With four distinctive seasons, Korea offers an ideal environment for winter sports. In particular, Gangwon State, known for heavy snowfall, and easily accessible regions on the outskirts of Seoul are great places to enjoy winter activities, with numerous ski resorts bustling with travelers throughout the season. Ski resorts in Korea offer slopes for all skill levels, from absolute beginners to experts, and are equipped with convenient facilities like ski lifts and rental shops. Many resorts also offer nighttime skiing for a full day of fun.

Most of the ski resorts also operate an indoor waterpark, sauna, café, and other facilities. Even if you’re not into winter sports like skiing or snowboarding, you can spend your winter vacation by engaging in a variety of activities. During the peak ski season, from December to February, visitors are recommended to reserve accommodations and shuttle buses ahead of time. As the opening schedule and slope operation may vary depending on the weather conditions and snow maintenance, it is strongly recommended to check the official website before visiting.

Mona Yongpyong Ski Resort, a resort with a long history and tradition, is the first ski resort to open in Korea. As Korea's largest resort, it boasts 28 slopes to suit skiers of all levels and 14 lifts. With the resort’s high amount of snowfall and stable snow conditions, visitors can enjoy both an exciting ski trip and a beautiful winter getaway. The resort's Rainbow Slope was where the alpine skiing games took place in Pyeongchang in 2018. The short and convenient route from hotel check-in to equipment rental and lift boarding is another advantage of the resort. The Balwangsan Cable Car, located in the resort complex, takes you to the 1,458-meter summit of Balwangsan Mountain in just 18 minutes, offering a stunning vista of the snowy landscape.

Phoenix Snow Park is known for its variety of slopes and high-quality snow. In particular, the Panorama slope that reaches 2.4 kilometers is popular for its gentle and wide slopes that make it easy even for beginners to ski from the top. The resort operates Extreme Park for snowboarders and freestyle skiers, complete with a half pipe, table top, round quarter, and rails that follow Olympic standards. Phoenix Snow Park also operates Snow Village, with a sledding area and a children’s playground, and Blue Canyon, a year-round indoor water park, making Phoenix Snow Park a great choice for family visitors.

Alpensia Ski Resort 'Ski 700' is tucked away in the mountains at about 700 meters above sea level, just like its name suggests, and is known for its excellent snow. There are various slopes available for everyone from beginners to advanced level skiers. In particular, Foxtrot, a slope for advanced skiers, is famous for offering an exotic vista of snow-capped mountains. In addition to the exciting winter sports, visitors can enjoy many top-notch accommodation facilities within the Alpensia Resort complex, as well as Alpensia Ocean 700, equipped with outstanding spa facilities. Even if you don’t enjoy skiing, you can spend a relaxing time at Alpensia Ocean 700, the golf club, or ski jump observatory.

Located on Baegunsan Mountain at 1,340 meters above sea level in Jeongseon, Gangwon State, High1 Ski Resort offers 17 fantastic slopes, each beginning at one of the park's three peaks. The resort is situated at a high altitude and well equipped to maintain great snow conditions. A variety of slopes of different difficulty levels span across the expansive terrain, including 15 FIS-certified slopes, which are especially popular among advanced skiers. With three gondolas and shuttle buses operating, getting around the resort is convenient, and from the High1 Top Observatory, visitors can take in the breathtaking panoramic view of snow-covered mountains.

Vivaldi Park Ski Resort, located in Hongcheon, has become a favorite among young skiers in their teens and twenties; even the slope names like Hip-Hop, Techno, and Funky are geared towards young adults. Some of the more advanced slopes are uniquely designed with unexpected twists and turns for maximum thrills. While skiing during daytime has its own fun, the ski slopes are also open late at night and gliding through these slopes at night offers a thrilling experience unlike anything during the day. The resort is also family-friendly, with amenities like Snowy Land, a sledding theme park, and Vivaldi Park Ocean World where you can relax at the spa or sauna after a long day of hitting the slopes.

Recognized for its size and safety by the International Ski Federation (FIS), Welli Hilli Park Snow Park is a popular destination among snowboarders. The snow park offers 20 slopes ranging from beginner to advanced level. The resort’s Fun Park is equipped with country’s top-level halfpipe, jump, and kicker, making it ideal for freestyle skiers and snowboarders to practice various techniques. There is also a mogul course for intermediate to advanced skiers, where you can enjoy exhilarating rides along the bumpy snowy hills.

Located in the pristine highlands of Taebaek, the O2 Ski Resort offers winter leisure activities at affordable prices. Its 12 slopes are suitable for everyone from beginners to advanced level skiers, and the sledding area makes it a popular choice among families as well. The wait time for lift is short, and you can take the lift directly from the guestroom wing area, making it convenient to move around. The highest peak, Eutteum Maru reaches an elevation of 1,408 meters, and because of the high altitude and low temperatures, be sure to dress warmly.

If you are looking for a day-trip ski destination from Seoul by train, Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort is the place to go. You can reach the resort easily by taking a Gyeongchun Line train from Yongsan Station to Baegyangni Station for an hour and the free shuttle bus from Baegyangni Station to the resort. Eight of the ten slopes are suitable for beginners and intermediate skiers, and in general, the slopes are gentle and steady, making them ideal for beginners to perfect their techniques. Mark it on your map for a day full of winter leisure activities amidst the beautiful scenery of snowy mountains and the Bukhangang River.

Set against the backdrop of an oak forest, the Oak Valley Snow Park features a total of 11 slopes. In particular, the beginner-level slopes have gentle incline, suitable for people who are new to skiing and children, making them perfect to safely enjoy winter sports. Next to the ski resort, there are revolving sledding tubes, a snow playground with photo zones, and eight different walking trails to take in the picturesque scenery year-round.

Located in Icheon, Gyeonggi-do, Jisan Forest Ski Resort is close to the metropolitan area, meaning that even if accommodations are fully booked, visitors can make a daytrip out to this beautiful ski resort. The resort has a number of slopes ready to accommodate skiers of varying skill levels. The beginner-level slope is relatively wide and features a conveyor ski lift (moving walkway), reducing the waiting time for the lift. Even though this particular resort is on a smaller scale, it is packed with convenient facilities at inexpensive prices. The resort is a great value for its price, thus providing visitors an affordable winter sports experience with great quality.

Located in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do, Konjiam Resort is the largest ski resort in the vicinity of the Seoul metropolitan area, offering slopes with varying degrees of difficulty, as well as ski lifts. One of this resort’s largest pro is that it offers wait-free services through the use of their mobile app, including slope tickets, equipment rental, season passes, and even ski lessons. With a high numbers of the slopes reserved for beginner/intermediate skiers and families, creating a safe environment for all visitors. Furthermore, the resort includes an arboretum, ecological river, spa and other auxiliary facilities.

Located within Deogyusan National Park in Muju, Jeonbuk-do, Deogyusan Ski Resort has long been a popular ski destination among both Korean and international skiers. The resort's Silk Road Slope, which starts from the peak of Deogyusan Mountain at 1,520 meters above sea level, is the longest slope in Korea, stretching for 6.1 kilometers. The course was designed for both beginner and intermediate skiers to enjoy. The resort is also known to have the steepest slope, called the Raiders Slope, which is sure to spark your drive for a challenge. For those who want a refreshing experience, try the outdoor hot springs after a day of skiing.

* Ski season start and end date at all resorts are subject to change based on weather conditions. Please check in advance.

* This column was last updated in December 2025, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check details before visiting.