Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sigmundsmith]

Is it me or are Koreans Inherently dangerous on the ski slopes.

I only started learning to snowboard here in Korea (so I can't compare it to other countries) so every time I go to one of the resorts, it's like standing in the middle of the Olympic Expressway.

No one seems to look around while they are gliding down the slopes. The majority of the runs here are not very wide (I don't know if they are on par with other countries) and Koreans like to take up the whole width of the slope with no regard to other people on the slopes. Collissions are frequent.

Is this a cultural phenomena for Korea or is the standard practices of snow junkies all across the world at all the different resorts.

Can some enlighten me? Those who have skied/boarded in the home country or other countries, what is the etiquette for shoshing down the slopes?

[The Perfect Cup of Coffee]

[air76]

Other than Korea I have only been skiing in the United States, Canada, and Chile, and from my experience I've never seen ANYTHING like the ski resort at Muju, it was absolute mayhem. The lines at the lift were sometimes 30-40 minutes long and people were crashing and banging all over the place. We're moving back to Korea from Chile and I just went ahead and sold my skis instead of bringing them. Unless there are resorts better than Muju I don't see much reason in skiing in Korea (especially since the price is double what you pay elsewhere)

[bondjimbond]

Ugh. I was skiing yesterday in Namyangju, and it was bizarre. All over the hill were people sitting and resting, standing and chatting, having a smoke, while people like myself had to fly into fences or barrel into the ground to avoid them.

There's nothing more frightening than going around a sharp curve down a steep diamond slope and seeing a crowd of inconsiderate morons just waiting to get either you or themselves killed while they calmly sit and watch people on the other hills.

[Stoakley]

I grew up (mostly) amongst Asians so I initially thought slope meant:


11. Slang: Disparaging and Offensive. an Asian, esp. a Vietnamese.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/slope

Oops!

..but being from the tropics I never really enjoyed snow, sooooo....

Cheers,

Stoakley

[ajgeddes]

It's just like the sidewalk.

[RACETRAITOR]

I'd say the main rule here is watch all around you, and don't get hit. Consider yourself invisible to everyone else. As a scooter driver I'm used to that sort of situation.

[indytrucks]

I don't ski, but if Koreans behave on the ski hills as they do on the roads here, I would be staying far, far away.

[cdninkorea]

I just got back from a two day trip to YongPyong, and a few weeks ago skiied one day at Phoenix Park. I've been skiing for well over a decade in the United States and Canada.

Hopefully that establishes some credibility. That being done, let me say that I don't think Korean skiing is any more dangerous than in North America except that there are more people on the slopes. Skiing habits seem the same to me.

If you want to avoid the crowds though, go on the black diamond hills if you can- I went on a green circle hill and found them so crowded that it was more dangerous than the advanced runs.

[blaseblasphemener]

The thought of thousands of Koreans on a ski hill is both hillarious and terrifying. Take a sport that combines speed and a necessity to be aware of one's surroundings, and I couldn't think of a worse sport for Koreans to do.

"(Koreans smoking on the hill)"-hahahahaha.

[Typhoon]

I started skiing 26 years ago. I came to Korea 8 years ago. So in 18 years of skiing in the west I can say I never once saw a person attack another person with their ski poles. While in Korea I have seen that happen every time I have gone skiing . A man angry at a kid for running in to him. A man angry at another man for "cutting him off". The reasons go on and on. I was shocked at first, but now I just giggle. It is crazy. It is like people forget that God gave them mouths and brains to talk rationally about problems. The mindset seems to be I have a sharp weapon and I am going to hit anyone who crosses me with it. I can safely say the ettiquite here is not the same as the west. I don't ski here anymore and am very excited to go skiing back in the west in the near future as I really miss it.

[PEIGUY]

[funkywinkerbeans]

Koreans ski the way they drive. Never got in an accident with another person while skiing back home.

Two hits with Koreans on the slopes and I'm paying attention. Both times with Jack snowboarders who have turned into me on their blind side. Back home, I could let my mind wander and enjoy the runs. Here , you have to be vigilant as I've seen some crazy stuff on the slopes.

[plus99]

i prefer "nip" and "charlie," personally

[The Perfect Cup of Coffee]