What should I expect from the Pyeongtaek holiday lights display? Every year Pyeongtaek sets up a series of free holiday light displays that last from December through March. The holiday lights installations are different each year and feature an eclectic display of imagery that makes winter a little more delightful. Since Christmas is considered a romantic holiday in Korea, the lights are often themed toward romance rather than the standard Christian or Santa themed lights seen in Western countries. Every display in each part of Pyeongtaek will be different. Each year we go see all of them over their 3-4 months on display. We find it a fun way to spend an evening during the winter. How can I enjoy the holiday lights with minimal discomfort? It’s going to be cold, especially at the lights display on the lake. Dress for the cold. Wear warm gloves, hat, jacket, and maybe even long-underwear. Warm is the key to happiness in winter, so don’t play yourself. Go buy cold-weather clothes and get serious about staying warm. Drink something warm. Take tumblers of hot chocolate or plan to stop at a cafe to warm up and enjoy a drink and dessert. Pay attention to wind chill. If the wind is blowing, it’s not the right day to view the lights. Wait for a calm day. Clear days mean cold nights. If you are going out on a clear night, dress EXTRA warm. Get the pocket and hand warmers from a quickie-mart and use them. Everyone does. It’s how we manage to not wear gloves in winter. Where can I see the Pyeongtaek holiday lights? Pyeongtaek hosts all of its large events, performances, and installations at the following seven locations. We recommend saving all of these locations because you will be visiting them again and again for local events. You can take any of the Korean addresses listed below and put them into Naver Maps or Kakao Maps to find the locations. Use WAZE or Google Maps at your own risk. Songtan City Hall: 경기 평택시 경기대로 1366 Pyeongtaek City Hall: 경기 평택시 중앙로 277 AK Plaza: 경기 평택시 평택로 55 Pyeongtaek Lake: 경기 평택시 현덕면 권관리 315-2 The street in front of Osan AFB walking gate: 경기 평택시 쇼핑로 2 The street in front of Camp Humphreys walking gate: 경기 평택시 팽성읍 안정순환로 118 Hyeonhwa Park in Anjung: 경기 평택시 안중읍 현화리 Learn more about the Pyeongtaek Holiday Lights display Read the Pyeongtaek Insight 2020 blogs: HAVE A BLAST AT PYEONGTAEK LAKE LIGHT FESTIVAL! Share your videos, photos, and blogs about the lights holiday/Christmas in Pyeongtaek! Join the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook group or the Pyeongtaek Living Facebook group and share which holiday lights display you liked the most! One of the things that makes the holidays magical is hearing everyone’s stories about how they found the holiday spirit. You can also @south_of_seoul or #pyeongtaekholidaylights on Instagram. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Additional Article(s) You May Find Useful: 3 New Year(s) Options in Pyeongtaek Every December in the South of Seoul group (Pyeongtaek Food & Fun) new arrivals ask about Christmas experiences they can have in the area. Every year we think, “We should write a blog about that”. Well, this year we’re finally writing one! So, grab a hot cup of cocoa, put on your favorite Christmas carols, curl up on your couch with a cozy blanket and prepare to be disappointed. Yes, you read that right. Maybe add some booze to that cocoa before we go further. Have you added the Kaluha now? Ok then, let’s start by ripping the band-aide off fast. Christmas is different in Korea. It’s true that South Korea is vastly Christian, but it also has its own unique culture that does things its own unique way. That means cultural traditions, such as Christmas,  have evolved differently. In Korea Christmas isn’t about giving gifts or decorating the house. Instead, it is a couple’s holiday similar to Valentine’s day when lovebirds go out on dates. Lately, some parents have started giving their kids a gift or two, or companies will do a Secret Santa, and friends will buy each other gifts.  Sadly, however, it’s NOTHING like the U.S. or Europe. Question: Where can I get Christmas decorations? First up, decorating isn’t going to be what you expect. Don’t get your hopes up or they will be dashed. Until a few years ago we could hardly find anything to decorate the house. We actually had to bring Christmas lights from home. Truth is, we often didn’t even decorate at all. Instead we would all go to the one expat’s house who managed to get a tree from a soldier who was leaving. Thankfully, a few years ago – as the middle class expanded and the free-trade agreement kicked in at high-speed – stores realized they could make more money by marketing Western holidays. Suddenly Home Plus and Daiso had entire sections with fake trees, decorations, and lights. Each year the selection improves and we have more of the Christmas options. Even as the commercialization of Christmas creeps into Korea, we have chosen to embrace minimal Christmas as a wonderful opportunity to take a rest from the wild holidays and focus on family. It is hard to let go of tradition, but it also challenges us to get in touch with the true meaning of the season. That said, not everyone is us, and if you desperately need decorations and don’t want to order them online, you can try the following places: Daiso Home Plus Emart Lotte Mart Costco Question: Where can we view Christmas lights? We are very happy to announce the Pyeongtaek City Hall has fallen in love with lights for the holidays and has been doing more and bigger displays each year. Pyeongtaek decorates 7 different spots and they run from mid-December through the end of February. Notice the dates! That’s right, the dates for lights are totally different than we are used to in our home countries. Consider them winter lights and NOT Christmas lights.  Thinking this way will make it less weird and more delightful. Plus, you won’t be shocked by the angel wings, the Taj Mahal, the palm trees, etc. You can also feel less stressed about rushing to visit them before Christmas. You have months to enjoy them. Take your time. With that said, here are the spots Pyeongtaek decorates through the winter months: Songtan City Hall Pyeongtaek City Hall AK Plaza  Pyeongtaek Lake The street in front of Osan AFB walking gate The street in front of Camp Humphreys walking gate Hyeonhwa Park in Anjung Question: What’s up with the holiday music? An important thing to note is that in Asia Christmas music, like the lights, isn’t about Christmas – it’s about winter. That means Christmas carols will play in stores year round but mostly from November through February. It’s not going to go away after Christmas.  Also, if you go to a Christmas concert or event, don’t expect it to be especially Christmas-like. There will be a lot going on that you might not expect. Just sit back and enjoy the experience. This is just how we roll. Question: What to do about Christmas Dinner This is where things get interesting. Basically everywhere is going to be open on Christmas and the city is going to be super busy. It’s one of the biggest date nights of the year. You aren’t going to be stuck at home. Don’t expect to find Western Christmas foods in the regular Korean grocery stores. However, not all hope is lost. Turkeys and pumpkin pie are now being imported at Costco. You can sometimes find cranberries in the frozen section at Emart or Home Plus. Just remember, things from home purchased here will often be “home-like” but not the same.  This is because our Christmas stuff comes to Korea as an amalgamation of Christmas from all over the world: Germany, Italy, Canada, US, England, France, etc. Even at the fancy restaurants Christmas dinner will be amazing, but not like home. Prepare emotionally and then you can fall in love with the effort Korea has made to bring thing in from other countries instead of being angry at it for not being the same as home. Embrace the Christmas spirit and have grace for the differences. If you are looking for help with Christmas dinner at home, JP’s American BBQ will be smoking turkeys. Order early to get on their list. There is only so much room in the smoker so they may sellout. Not having things be the same as home during the holidays is very hard at first, especially if you aren’t prepared for it. Couple this with the fact the holidays are already the hardest time and it’s going to be difficult to fight off the culture shock. Be sure to set aside time to video message with home. It ALWAYS helps. Question: What if I have my heart set on finding something specific? You can always contact a concierge service like Wonderful. They have bi-lingual personal assistants who can help you find unusual things you have been looking for, like a real Christmas tree! So, now that we are coming to the end you might be thinking, “It doesn’t sound that bad, why were you so drama and telling us we would be disappointed?” Well, you are right, it’s not that bad. Christmas in Korea is truly delightful when you can escape your own heartache for what is waiting for you when you get back home. Breath deep, embrace the change, and explore the new type of Christmas. A few ideas for celebrating the holidays in Pyeongtaek. Now that we have broken the hard news about things not quite being like home, let’s talk about some of the truly fabulous things we adore about Christmas/Winter season in Pyeongtaek. These are the things we look forward to doing each year: Mulled Wine/ Gluehwein is in season. Hot spice wine will be served at restaurants and cafes across the country. It’s delicious and you should drink lots of it. Del Vino and Braai Republic are two great places to grab a hot mug of it in Pyeongtaek. Visit all seven areas Pyeongtaek has lit with lights. We do this every year. It’s fun to see how they change and evolve each year. Seasonal drinks at Starbucks. Don’t judge. It makes it feel just like home. Dinner out on Christmas day. We usually choose a place near the lights. The streets will be alive with people and it feels amazing. Participate in charity giving. There are many charities that host events. Look for an opportunity to give back to the community.  Gathering together for Church potlucks. Many churches have warm and inviting holiday meals that are a joy to attend. Find a church gathering and celebrate together. Hosting a Christmas dinner for friends. Gather together with other expats and celebrate at home. Have everyone bring a special food or tradition to share together. This is what we will be doing! We bake cookies together during the day and then go for that dinner we mentioned earlier. That often means Ceviche 210. Well, this is all we have time for this year. We are wishing everyone a wonderful and Merry Pyeongtaek Christmas. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Just like Christmas and all the other holidays, New Years is celebrated a little differently in Pyeongtaek than what you might be used to. Whereas you might stay up until midnight to celebrate the New Year, in South Korea it’s all about waking up early (or staying up all night) and welcoming in the sunrise on the first day of the year. 1. Pyeongtaek Lake Sunrise Celebration (2019 평택호 해맞이 행사) If you would like to join a local cultural experience that isn’t promoted to foreigners at all, this is it. We wake up very early on New Year’s day (like 5:00am) and drive out to Pyeongtaek Lake. We then stand around in the freezing cold together and watch the sunrise. It’s a beautiful experience. The first few years there was actually a huge celebration in the morning with fireworks, snacks, music, sending up our lanterns, and everyone eating a traditional breakfast of noodles together. For the last two years, however, the celebration has been more organic since the city canceled its events due to last-minute complications. Everyone went to Pyeongtaek Lake – despite the cancellation – and hung out together anyway. Whether the city plans something big or not, this is our favorite thing to do in Pyeongtaek on New Year. Usually, about 3,000 people show up to celebrate together. How to prepare: Dress warmly. You want to wear things that have serious wind stop protection. The wind off the water can be brutal. Bring Hot Packs. This is a Korean trick that works. You can buy them at markets. Keep those hand warmers in your pockets and it makes life way better. A thermos of Coffee. This is our personal touch to the day. We bring big thermoses of coffee to keep us awake and toasty. Blankets. Some folks bring a lap blanket for sitting on the benches or just wrapping up. Totes worth it if the wind picks up. Arrive by: 6:00 am You need to arrive pretty early because parking can be a hassle. You might end up needing to walk 20 minutes to the community viewing spot if you don’t arrive early. Since we would rather hangout and enjoy the lights display and the culture, we just come as early as possible and settle in. Official Start Time: 7:00 am (Arrive a lot earlier than that for parking) Leave late: Don’t expect to rush out to your next event. There will be coffee shops and places to eat that open after everyone watches the sunrise. Plan on going and hanging out for a while to let traffic clear out. Accept that you are trapped for a bit and just enjoy yourself. Food and Snacks: Don’t expect any foreign food. There might be some, there might not. This is a Korean event, for Koreans, by Koreans. Those of us who call this home are doing Korean things in Korea. If you or the kids are still having trouble adapting to Korean food please don’t be heroes, bring some snacks from home. There is no shame in it. Preparation for these hurdles makes everything more enjoyable. Dogs. We have taken our dogs and many other people are there with theirs as well. Just don’t take them if they are scared of people, sounds, or don’t aren’t good at staying warm. Ours mostly stayed in our jackets. If you choose to join in the local adventure, you will find the experience most enjoyable if you sit back and relax. Give it space and give it time. Don’t try to be anywhere too fast or expect things to be like home. It’s new, different, and charming in its own wonderful way. You will be uncomfortable in the cold so dress extra for it. Part of the pleasure of this New Year celebration is that we are all a little miserable together in order to share that one beautiful moment the light begins to rise in the east. It’s a shared burden and a shared joy. This is an experience that brings you into a deeper understanding of what it means to be Korean. 2. Western Style New Year If you are feeling homesick and want to bring in the New Year in a more western way, we recommend going out near either Paengseong or Songtan/Shinjang. These areas are located near US Military bases so businesses will cater to this experience and it will be appropriately “lit”. Just check with your favorite places or head out on the town. Bars know that New Years is the night for making money and they will have some sort of promotion or party happening. If you like dancing, we recommend checking out the Songtan/Osan AF Base area as they have more dance clubs. These areas, however, are not especially family friendly during this time. 3. Do Your Own Thang Since Pyeongtaek has neighborhoods that don’t sleep. (Can’t tell you how many times we’ve accidentally-on-purpose gone home at 5am.) If you go out near AK Plaza or in Seojeongri near Songtan City Hall, you are going to find plenty of things to do. You don’t really need a plan. The plan just sort of happens. There are noribangs, bars, clubs, restaurants, and more. The area around AK Plaza is quite friendly to families and singles alike. Worth checking out if you want to have fun close to home but can’t get to the lake and want a more Korean experience than you might find in the more foreigner-focused parts of town. Lunar New Year Is Just Around the Corner Of course, if the January 1 N ew Year celebration isn’t as fun as you hoped, you can always celebrate with us all again in February when South Korea truly brings in the New Year. True, the parties aren’t big at that time but we have a lot more time off which we spend with our families. Learn more about Lunar New Year CLICK HERE Korean Cultural Note: Age For anyone who doesn’t know this yet, in Korea we are all about to get a year older on the same day. Instead of celebrating individual birthdays, we do it all together on New Years! To learn more about how Korean age works, CLICK HERE! Huge thanks to our friends in high places who take time out of their busy days to ask our questions. Finding this information is like searching for a needle in a Hangul haystack. Even when we can find the information in Korean in newspapers or on the Pyeongtaek City Website it’s rarely complete. For example, articles about New Years just say there will be a festival at the lake on the first and there will be free soup. Thankfully we have some very kind friends and contacts who work for PIEF and the city who call the planners and get the details (like start times) for us. Without their help the information wouldn’t even be available. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Wondering what it’s like to celebrate Lunar New Year while living in South Korea? Here is a practical breakdown about the holiday. About the Lunar Calendar The Lunar calendar is based on the phases of the moon which means that each Lunar year is about 12.37 months. This means that it does not track with the 12-month Gregorian calendar. Many different religions and cultures still use the Lunar Calendar for holidays, birthdays, and events. Korea uses a mix of the Gregorian and Lunar Calendar within the Korean culture. About the Lunar New Year in South Korea The Lunar New Year changes each year and usually occurs in January or February. Depending on how the holidays fall, Koreans may have 3-5 days holiday during this time. In Korea, and across Asia, the culture places more of a focus on the Lunar New Year than the Western New Year. Here in Korea, we refer to Lunar New Year as Seollal (설날). You may have also heard this holiday called Chinese New Year. Seollal is one of the biggest, most important holidays in Korea. During this time (about 3 days), Korean’s will move around Korea visiting their ancestrol homes and participating in various traditions depending on their religious and cultural commitments. Families will spend time together, prepare special foods, give gifts, and some may perform traditional rituals. In addition to celebrating Seollal day, Seotdal Geumeum is also celebrated. Seotdal Geumeum is Lunar New Year’s Eve. On this day, many people may stay up until dawn to watch the sunrise (similar to how Western New Year is celebrated in Korea, but at home). On this day, people in Korea will often eat bokmandu soup. Things to Do for Seollal We highly recommend joining in local customs when living in a foreign country. It brings you closer to those around you and creates a feeling of belonging that doesn’t happen when you only celebrate holidays from home. If you would like to join in the spirit of Seollal, here are some things you can do: About Seollal (Lunar New Year) Traffic Since students are not in school, this means many families travel and the roads may be locked with traffic, and train tickets may sell out months in advance. On the first day of the holiday, traffic will be terrible going East and South. On the last day of the holiday, traffic will be terrible going north and west. We recommend using Naver Maps and Kakao Maps for routing information during this time as they have up-to-date traffic information that may help you avoid the worst traffic (although avoiding all bad traffic may be impossible.) What is Closed for Seollal? Expect service interutptions during this holiday. Banking or immigration issues handled before the holiday. Public services will usually take a rest during this time. Additionally, small shops and businesses will often take time off, usually two days max. If you want to know if a specific place or service will be open on Seollal, you can contact 1330. Seollal Near US Bases Such as Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Force Base Service providers near US military bases often adjust to US culture. This means that businesses in such areas may remain open and operational during the Seollal holiday. Such changes in cultural behavior near large populations of international residents may distort perceptions related to the meaning and importance of local customs and holidays in relation to the country as a whole. That is because such areas may actually become busier during Korean holidays as folks flock to these open areas looking for things to do since their own areas are mostly closed down. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Are you looking for the best spicy Korean stews/soups to keep you warm all winter long? Whether you want to eat out or make it at home, we have you covered. Spicy Korean Stews/Soups for Winter Winter is coming and when it does you are going to be thanking us for this post. When the temperature drops and your butt freezes, there are five Korean stews/soups we recommend to chase the blues away. They are spicy, ass kicking soups that make you feel like you are being hugged by an angry grandmother from the inside out. These are the dishes we crave and eat in mass all winter long. At this point we don’t know how we ever lived without them. And if spicy stews/soups are not your thing, make sure to check out 5 NOT Spicy Korean Soups for Winter. Kimchi jjigae 김치찌개 This is not for the timid, but it is the ruler of them all. When we first arrived in Korea we thought this stew was too much, but now it’s what we crave more than anything when the weather gets cold. There is just no way of replacing this unusually, delicious stew. It’s spicy, tangy, sweet, and rich. This soup is often eaten for breakfast because it sets you up to have a good day. Where We Like to Eat It: If you are in the Pyeongtaek area, make sure to check out our blog with ten locations for you to enjoy the deliciousness of kimchi jjigae. KimchiRednecks show you how to make Kimchi Jjigae at home Budae Jjigae 부대찌개 Now, if meat is what you are all about, then you want to go for some good old fashioned soldier stew. This dish doesn’t try to be fancy. It originated during the Korean War when they were making food out of scraps left by soldiers. It’s pure brilliance. If you are a food snob, don’t even bother. This is all about cheap hotdogs, sausages, and ramen noodles. OMG we want some just talking about it.  Songtan is also known for having the best budae jjigae in the country so it’s the perfect place to try it. Where We Like to Eat It: If you are in the Pyeongtaek area, make sure to check out our blog with eleven locations for you to enjoy the hearty budae jjigae. KimchiRednecks show you how to make Budae Jjigae at home Sundubu Jjigae 순두부찌개 We call this “Angry Care Bear clouds” in soup. It’s often super spicy but the soft tofu feels so comforting you’re not sure if you are in love or angry. Unbelievably awesome to eat in January and there is an especially fabulous version in Pyeongtaek not far from AK Plaza. If you are in a hurry though, this is a great dish to grab at any Korean lunch counter. Where We Like to Eat It: KimchiRednecks show you how to make Sundubu Jjigae at home Dakdoritang 닭도리탕/Dakbokkeumtang 닭볶음탕 Not exactly a soup or stew by Korean standards, but it is by ours so it makes the list. This dish can be hard to come by as it often has to be ordered ahead and is made for 3-4 people (also making it expensive on the menu). The chicken will simply melt in your mouth and the heat from this dish will keep you warm all day long. We love to go to a restaurant and order this on a weekend with friends. Especially if we have been playing outside in the cold. Where We Like to Eat It: Maangchi shows you how to make Dakbokkeumtang at home Yukgaejang 육개장 This winter classic is filled with stewed beef and unique Korean vegetables. Known for being VERY spicy and hearty. The mountain ferns give the dish and unique earthy flavor that you will either love or hate. Once again, this is for those who love Korean food and unique flavors. Where We Like to Eat It: KimchiRednecks show you how to make Yukgaejang at home Read more in our Year to Learn Korean Cooking Series This series is a collaboration with Kimchi Rednecks. In 2020 they created the first blog in this series Online Resources for Learning to Cook Korean Food. These two love to have adventures in the kitchen and share the results with their community. Be sure to follow Kimchi Rednecks on YouTube for other great videos about living life in South Korea. Join the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group Share your adventures with the best spicy Korean stews/soups with our community at Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group. Join the South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly Pyeongtaek international residents makes moving to Pyeongtaek easier. With so many different voices and opinions, it is always refreshing to see everyone’s adventures in our local community. In addition, all of the posts shared introduce our community to new places and old places that can feel new all over again. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content.

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About Skiing in Gangwon-do Gangwondo has a variety of resorts and offers the best skiing and snowboarding in South Korea. Gangwon-do takes up the northeastern part of South Korea. Mountains cover the vast majority of Gangwon-do. If you love skiing or snowboarding, you will love a day on the slopes of the ski resorts included in this blog post . As always, you can find such resorts in the South of Seoul app which can be downloaded from Google Play or the Apple App Store. Gangwon-do hosted the 2018 winter Olympics which means a number of ski resorts like Aplensia Ski Resort received a little extra funding to make things extra nice. The area looks like a classic western ski resort. This resort feels like you have been transported to Colorado while the neighboring Yongpyong Ski Resorts feels like classic Korea in all the best ways. Ski Season in Gangwon-do Depending on the weather, the ski season in Gangwondo runs from December through March. If you have questions about ski season you can contact 1330. Calling to check on the status of the slopes is especially important during the early and late ski season or during warm winters. Snow Conditions in Gangwon-do During the early and last season, much of the snow on the slopes may be man-made. To get the best snow, ski in the morning and evening. Additionally, soft and powdery days do exist if you get lucky but it will not be knee-deep. Managing Snow Expectations Obviously, it’s better at Whistler but don’t live anywhere near Canada. Skiing in Korea isn’t about the fact the slopes are perfect. It’s about a passion for the snow and carving your joy down a mountain. It’s about time with family and friends. It’s about pushing yourself to try new things, in a new play, in a new way. If you are a super picky snow connoisseur who can’t enjoy life if the slopes are not exactly like that one resort you visited somewhere else once on a perfect snow day, skiing in Gangwon-do might not be your thing. No one is trying to sell you Korea as the world’s best ski destination. We encourage you to stay home mad about it this weekend and miss the joyful feeling of wind in your hair, fresh mountain air, and stunning mountain views. Resort Route Maps Available on Naver Maps The Naver Maps app makes it easy to see what routes exist at each ski resort. Since Naver Maps has an English language option, you can use the app to easily navigate between ski lifts during your trip. You can use the app to answer questions you have regarding difficulty level, number of lifts, number of runs, and more. Naver Maps uses the following colors for the following difficulty levels: When you zoom in on the map, you can also see which lifts take you to each part of the run. Some runs may require two lifts and other lifts may provide access to more than one run. All of this detail can be easily accessed through Naver Maps. Tips for What to Take A few quick tips for packing for your trip to the mountains: Lift Tickets Lift tickets are available for purchase in-person at each Gangwon-do resort or online. They can be purchased for the morning, afternoon, evening, and all day, and some resorts even offer one-run passes. Additionally, annual passes can be purchased. Prices vary by resort. Online and in-person lift ticket purchases may vary. If you are determined to pre-purchase tickets, you can use a bi-lingual concierge service. Skiing in Gangwon-do for Beginners Don’t hesitate to try skiing or snowboarding in South Korea. Due to the fact gear is easy to rent and lift ticket prices are affordable, there has never been a better time fall in love with either skiing or snowboarding. If you hate the slopes, you can enjoy the surrounding lodges and mountain views. Gangwon-do ski resorts generally have ski and snowboard instructors for all ages and lessons can often be scheduled on the same day. Of course, reservations will help ensure a more smooth process. Because of the pandemic, ski and snowboard class schedules and class sizes may vary based on current local procedures. You can use a bi-lingual concierge service to help schedule your lessons. Some resorts may have a small slope where beginner ski and snowboarders can walk up the baby slope and practice their skills for free. Such access varies depending on the resort. This can make learning quite affordable. We often spend a few hours on these slopes at the beginning of each ski season getting back in the groove before taking the lift. As a beginner, no one expects you to be on the slopes all day. Plan for a few hours and then take a rest and reflect on your experience. Nobody has to be a hero on the first day. Give yourself permission to be terrible, to spend most of the day in the lodge, enjoy things at your own pace, and be happy about just showing up. Lift Ticket Discounts Korean ski resorts offer lift ticket discounts via a variety of platforms such as KLOOK, Coupang, Yanolja, GMarket, Auction, and more. Many of these apps require a Korean ID and banking information to make purchases. X3 Multi Resort Ski Passes in Korea In 2021 YongPong, Phoenix Pyeongchang, and High1 Resort began offering the X3 Season pass. The prices ranged from 400,000 – 650,000 won for the ski season depending on when and where the passes are purchased. Hopefully, more multi-pass ski resort options will become available in future years. If you are determined to get a lift ticket multi-pass, you can use a bi-lingual concierge service. Gear Rental at Gangwon-do Ski Resorts Each ski resort may have a different rental situation as they are all managed and operated under different conditions. While some may offer ski and snowboard rentals while others may need you to rent from nearby independent rental shops. We often prefer indie rental shops as they may offer 24-hour rentals which means we can ski in the evening and in the morning. Independent rental shops also offer goggles, jackets, pants, and helmet rentals (gloves and hats you usually need to bring). We have easily found clothing for women up to size 16. Such rentals are also surprisingly affordable. Around 15,000 – 45,000 for the day depending on what you need. 7 Best Gangwon-do Ski Resorts You can’t go wrong with any of the ski resorts in Gangwon-do. Want to know more about High1 Resort? Check this blog by Molly Hayden. Learn More About Resorts in Gyeonggi-do Gyeonggi-do also has a number of smaller resorts that may offer easier access. Learn More About Back Country Skiing in South Korea One company does offer backcountry skiing and you can learn more on the South of Seoul blog. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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About Skiing in Gyeonggi-do Let’s be honest. The ski slopes in Gyeonggi-do are not spectacular for many reasons, such as they use mostly fake snow, there are tons of people, the runs are short, and tons of other things that skiing purists will rant about. However, if you love skiing and being outside, none of that really matters. You can have fun at any slope because you just love being outside. The world is a dynamic place and not every country has access to every climate and sometimes it’s great to simply be outside on the slopes and not fixate on if it’s “the best in the whole world.” It doesn’t need to be the best to still be a VERY fun day with friends. Let go of your expectations and go enjoy what skiing is in Gyeonggi-do, Korea without comparing. Take a chance and exist in the moment. Gyeonggi Ski Reports Perfect for Beginners Now, although skiing purists might now be happy, beginning skiers will likely have a blast on these slopes. They will have a variety of easy, short runs to practice their skills and not get too worn out. Beginners should absolutely take up skiing while in Korea. About Korean Ski Season Depending on the weather, the ski season runs from late November through March. During that time, much of the snow on Gyeonggi-do resorts is man-made. This means it will often be icy and hard due to the combination of manmade now, temps, and the number of people on the slopes. About Gear Rental The ski resorts rent just about everything you could need to go skiing. They also have different levels of rentals for different prices. They have general rentals and then high-end rentals. Regular rentals may range from 25,000 – 40,000 depending on the time of day and day of the week. Whereas high-end ski rentals may range from 40,000-50,000 depending on the time of day and day of the week. You can rent from the ski resort itself or other smaller shops near the ski resort. Prices are often similar at all locations. In addition to renting boots, boards, and bindings – you can also rent snow gear such as snowsuits. Gear rentals are available for kids and adults. Prices for gear rental may range from 10,000- 20,000 depending on different criteria. Ticketing Times and Sample Prices This is a sample price list pulled from the English Language site for Yong Pyong. Not all ski resorts follow the exact same pricing and timetable structure. However, this does give you a solid look at what might be available at each resort. You can contact 1330 to learn about the exact schedule at the resort of your choice. You will notice that night skiing is a popular thing in Korea. This can be very nice for those who would like to go skiing after work. It’s actually quite easy to finish up work in Pyeongtaek and head to the slopes in Yongin or Icheon. (units : ₩) Ticket Hour Type Price Daytime(Morning + Afternoon) 09:00~17:00 Adult 80,000 Child 65,000 Morning/Afternoon Morning: 09:00~13:00Afternoon : 13:00~17:00 Adult 63,000 Child 51,000 Night I 19:00~22:00 Adult 58,000 Child 47,000 Night II 19:00~24:00 Adult 71,000 Child 57,000 Night III 21:00~24:00 Adult 51,000 Child 41,000 Afternoon+Night I 13:00~22:00 Adult 93,000 Child 75,000 Afternoon+Night II 13:00~24:00 Adult 106,000 Child 85,000 Sample Prices from Yong Pyong 3 Gyeonggi-do Ski Slopes These are organized by the closest to furthest from Pyeongtaek, South Korea. Pyeongtaek is the home to both Camp Humphreys Army Base and Osan Air Force Base. ALERT!!! BEAR TOWN IS CLOSED: South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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You can ski at midnight at Jisan Forest near Seoul and Pyeongtaek. A fun spot to blow off some steam after work if you don’t mind dodging the people. About Jisan Forest Ski Resort It’s not the highest, the largest, or the best ski resort in South Korea, but Jisan Forest Resort has its perks. It boasts seven small runs suited for beginners and is perfect for those wanting to hone their skills. It’s an easy drive and with tickets sold in chunks of a few hours, and late-night offerings available, it makes for a fun trip – day or night.   Location of Jisan Forest Ski Resort Jisan Forest Resort is located in Icheon, a short 45-minute jaunt from both Pyeongtaek and Seoul (if you manage the latter without traffic). The road to enter the parking lot and resort is a bit windy and bumpy, so use caution and drive slowly. Parking is free and lots fill up on the weekends.  Runs at Jisan Forest Ski Resort Runs are numbered 1-3 (beginners) and 5-8 (intermediate/advanced), beginning on the left if you are facing the slopes. Notice run 4 is skipped, as the number 4 is a symbol of bad luck here in South Korea. The largest vertical drop of the advanced hill measures around 200 meters.   Tips for Beginners at Jisan Forest Ski Resort If you hike up the tiny beginners’ hill all the way to the left, you can ski for free. This is great for absolute beginners learning their equipment, or to practice before getting on the lift. Once you take a lift or the magic carpet, the time on your ski pass begins. They also have a sledding hill located all the way to the right.  If you are a beginner, stay on the beginner’s hills. Even as an advanced skier, I found the intermediate hills to be hazardous due to the number of inexperienced riders. So many boarders and skiers were crashing into riders below them.  Be Careful of Others and Watchout for Yourself Anytime you are on the slope, it is your responsibility to take care not to run into anyone downhill from you. Unfortunately, this was not the case at Jisan Forest and we witnessed numerous injuries. The intermediate runs also seemed to be the most crowded. If you’re advanced, stick to run 6, and if you’re a beginner, runs 1-3 are best.  Gear at Jisan Forest Ski Resort All gear is available to rent at two different shops at the resort. Make sure to rent next to the slope you intend to ski so you’re not schlepping gear unnecessarily far. Masks are required; helmets are encouraged.  Costs at Jisan Forest Ski Resort Overall Jisan Forest is priced higher than I would expect for what you get. The cost is more or comparable to larger ski resorts like High1 will have far fewer runs and altitudes, and the prices for lessons at the ski school are more than double. But since it’s closer (45 minutes drive vs. 2.5 hours drive) is maybe worth the money spent. They did offer a military discount on the lift ticket for those who have an ID, but no price cut for kids, so my 6-year-old’s ticket ended up costing more than mine. Discounts are also available at 30% off when you pay with an affiliated credit card from Shinhan, KB, NH or Hana banks.  Prices are as follows: Adult/Child *Note these are the prices listed at the resort and differ greatly from what is listed on their website.  The lift card has a 1000 won deposit. There are machines to turn them in at the end of the day to receive your deposit back.  Hours and Times for Jisan Forest Ski Resort Hours for skiing are weekdays, 9 a.m. – 2 a.m., weekend Fri-Sat, 9 a.m. – 4 a.m.  Runs are closed for grooming 5- 6:30 p.m., Sun-Thursday; and 5- 6:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. – 12 a.m. Fri-Sat.  Jisan Forest Ski School Info For more info visit https://www.jisanresort.co.kr/en/index.asp, ski school information can be found here: http://laurenkidschool.com/. Then, after class you can try to ski at midnight at Jisan Forest. Molly HaydenJournalist Molly Hayden has worked in the journalism field in Germany and the United States. In 2021 she relocated to South Korea. As a volunteer Cultural Liason and Content Creator, Ms. Hayden reports on a variety of life & style topics with a focus on families living in rural South Korea.

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Have you been looking for a spot to ski this winter? In my opinion, High1 Resort offers some of the best skiing in South Korea. About High1 Resort High1 is located in Gangwon-do, South Korea. The resort opened in 2006 in order to bring additional revenue to the declining mining towns of Gohan and Sabuk. High1 remains one of the largest ski resorts in South Korea. The ski slopes reach three different “mountain tops” with peak elevation being 4,514 ft above sea level. The slopes offer excellent skiing for beginner to advanced. My High1 Ski Resort Expectations I learned to ski in the Alps and for the following decade, I trampled through various countries, slopes, and terrain that can’t be measured here. So for my first trip to High1 Ski Resort, I tempered expectations. South Korea’s skiable mountains are closer to the Appalachians than the Alps with two more glaring differences: artificial snow and no après ski.  My High1 Ski Resort Experience Even though things might not have been the best based on global standards, here is why I think High1 Resort offers some of the best skiing in South Korea. Once I strapped on my gear, though, it didn’t matter. The summit at High1 provided the same sensation of barreling down a mountain, with lifts that reach challenging heights. It’s not the Alps, but it’s likely the best place to ski on the peninsula and the highest elevation in the country.  The Snow at High1 Resort The resort is equipped with lifts and ski slopes for all levels from beginners to expert. While it doesn’t have a bunny slope, or a magic carpet, the practice hill is flat enough to learn safely and steep enough to learn quickly. The gondola takes you back up to the top for those who haven’t mastered chair lifts yet.  The snow is manmade, lending itself to be a bit icier than natural snow, but the elevation is high enough that fresh snow does sometimes dust the artificial. There are 18 slopes total covering 21 kilometers, all well-groomed. Although not all of the runs were operational in December, more are likely to open in January and as the ski season progresses. Between three gondolas and seven chair lifts, there is a lot of ground to cover and a few long runs that make it worth it.  Ski School at High1 Resort Ski school, I was told, is closed due to covid, but the surrounding towns in the valleys had numerous rental shops and lessons available. Best to just drop in and inquire. Between my Papago app, and a tiny bit of Korean, I was able to easily set up lessons for my 6-year-old. The instructor spoke minimal English, but it didn’t stop my son from learning to ski like a pro after three days.  Gear Rental at High1 Resort The resort itself does offer rental gear as well, but you have to return items each day. If you’re night skiing, you have to return your gear and rent it out again two hours later. If you plan on skiing for multiple days, getting gear at one of the shops in town is a better deal and much more efficient. They rent everything, including pants and jackets. If you’re there for a few hours only, renting on the mountain may be easier, but it will be more expensive.   Smaller items like socks, gloves, goggles, and base layers are available for limited purchase at the resort ski shop.  Locker Rentals at High1 Resort Locker rentals at the bottom of the slopes make it easier to store gear for multi-day trips. They rent for either a day or a week, so if you’re there for a few days, the weekly rental is your best option. Weekly rates are 20,000 won for a 2-person locker or 40,000 for a 4-person. Helmets are required and are available to rent for free at the resort.  Other Things to Do at High1 Resort If skiing isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy the snow with tube sledding or hit the nearby water park. Note, that the water park is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Passes/Hours at High1 Resort Slopes are open from 8:30 a.m.- 10 p.m. with no skiing during the early evening, 4-6 p.m. while the runs are groomed. Passes are available for purchase in a variety of hours – 3, 4, 5, and 7, – or all day for both day and night skiing.  Prices are as follows in won:  Hotels at High1 Resort There are numerous places to stay on the resort grounds, including small hotel rooms, or bigger, multi-room condos. Each allows you to walk to the slopes, and some have kitchens available for covid-safe dining. Ours was stocked with pots, pans, plates, cups, silverware, and even a rice cooker (no microwave). For any hotel in Korea, bring your own bath towel if you wish to dry off with something larger than a hand towel. You can often find deals for stays on apps like Agoda, or contact the concierge and ask for foreigner discounts.  If you stay at the resort, you’ll receive a coupon book for discounts on ski passes, rentals, food, and more. (You can also ask for this coupon book at the customer service desk. They are usually willing to offer it). I read on numerous blogs that if you bring your passport, you can get a 40% foreigner discount on lift tickets, but this was not my experience, and I tried a few different days.  To save some cash, stay at one of the numerous hotels down in the valleys. While you lose the ease of walking to the mountain, it’s an easy 5-minute drive, and taxis are plentiful, too.  Food Near High1 Resort Food is in abundance both inside and outside. You can easily grab a can of hot chocolate to down in-between runs from the outdoor shack, or relax and sip on some warm broth in the cafeteria inside. Vaccines are required and every facility took our USFK Form 49s. Hit the mountain top restaurant for amazing views and Instagrammable moments.  Getting to High1 Resort  High1 is roughly a 2.5-hour drive from Pyeongtaek. It’s doable for a day trip, although ambitious. Like any resort, it gets crowded on the weekends. Parking is free and plentiful but can fill up fast on weekends and holidays.  Covid Precautions As of January 2022 masks are required and balaclavas are not a substitute. You are allowed to wear a balaclava or Buff over your mask, but the mask must be visible. Proof of vaccination is required to enter any of the indoor dining facilities. COOV app or USFK Form 49 is accepted everywhere.  More winter sports in South Korea Molly HaydenJournalist Molly Hayden has worked in the journalism field in Germany and the United States. In 2021 she relocated to South Korea. As a volunteer Cultural Liason and Content Creator, Ms. Hayden reports on a variety of life & style topics with a focus on families living in rural South Korea.

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Back-country skiing isn’t easy to find, but it does exist in South Korea. About Back-country Skiing in South Korea You will not find a great deal of powder skiing or backcountry skiing in South Korea. It’s theoretically possible, but not accessible to the common man. In fact, it’s generally on the islands and not the mainland. If you are hell-bent on this type of skiing, the one place we know if that you can find it during very specific times of year is Ulleungdo Island, Jeju, and a few other spots. You really have to be in the scene to get access. Back-county Ski Season We can’t really say that there is an official season for this since it relies on plenty of natural snow. However, we can say that you are most likely to find back-cuntry skiing possible in January or February of each year. There may be years when back-country skiing is completely impossible due to uncooperative weather. Where to Backcountry Ski in Korea Alps Ski Resort, Gangwondo This is an abandoned ski resort now used by back-country skiers. Ulleungdo Island Jeju Island How to Access Back-country Skiing Locations There is an adventure travel company called TEAMAX ADVENTURES who can help you access unique adventure sports experiences in South Korea. We have not used this company, but they are the only ones we know doing these types of adventures. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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