Korean Job Discussion Forums

[earthbound14]

Winter is coming and it's time to prepare for the new season.

What resorts do you like and why?
What are the new resorts this year?
What are the best ways to enjoy skiing in Korea? Seasons pass? Just lift tickets? Hit the nice slopes or stay close to Seoul?

Phoenix Park:
last year I had a seasons pass for Phoenix Park. Not bad, steep enough runs and enough of them to keep you from getting bored. Nice terrain park but poorly maintained pipe. For about 400,000 I got my lift pass and could use the cable car and all lifts as much as I wanted, morning skiing, afternoon, evening, night, late night. Without a pass you need to pay for the cable car and all the different ski times seperately. It was nice to have that freedom. For another 400,000 I shared a condo with a group of other people, place to keep the skis and board, plus a cool group to hang with after skiing. At 200,000 per month (4 month season) this is a pretty good deal as one night accom would cost 50,000 and a single lift ticket costs almost 50,000 (there are 4 different lift tickets through out the day). So I had to ski 2 weekends a month to make having the pass worth while, but I ended up skiing most weekends and some weekdays. It's just down expressway 50 (about 2-3 hours). Not bad, but a little far to be heading out for morning skiing before work, or just to hit a single night session. The bus was free with the pass though, so transport costs were zero.

Jisan Resort:
Jisan resort is only 45 minutes from Seoul (near Suwon). It's well maintained and well groomed, but it is really small. Only 1 run worth doing and it is a little short. It is good enough for newer riders or advenced riders who are just looking to keep fit and ride as often as possible. The big advantages to Jisan are the free shuttle, short distance and no need for accomodations. You can get a pass for 250,000 and ski before work, after work, weekends....whatever. You only need to head out to the slopes a few times a month to make the ski pass worth while.

High1 seems to offer one of the biggest mountains in Korea (after Younpyeong and Muju), but I don't know anything about it.

Alps Resort Near Soerack mountain has the best snow....OK the only mountain in Korea that might be able to say they have natural snow and a real mountainous attmosphere...never been there though. But it's about 4 hours from Seoul.

Just looking at the options for this year....anyone got any ideas?

[Underwaterbob]

I like Sajo Resort. It's probably the smallest, and widely regarded as one of the crappiest resorts in Korea, but I've been boarding for less than a year and it's a great, less crowded place to learn that's about a 20 minute drive from my home.

Coming from Nova Scotia, it beats the hell out of Martock anyway.

[RACETRAITOR]

I've been to two you haven't named.

Bearstown: maybe a little farther than Jisan, but a much more engaging layout. I taught my wife how to ski on the beginner slope, then I went off and explored all the other slopes. The quad chair takes you to what feels like a great height (for Korea). It's very uncrowded up there, and you can find some pleasantly steep courses. Also, I found a much longer, much less crowded beginner slope on the far side from the main one. Problem: a couple years ago there was a malfunction on one of the chairlifts, resulting in one chair loaded with people (or two?) plummeting into a parking lot. The next week, they were sending out text messages to past customers saying basically "It was a freak accident--don't let it discourage you from coming to our ski hill." Very irresponsible.

Gangchon: Much farther away, and a smaller selection of courses to choose from, although the runs are longer. Most courses start slow and winding at the top, and then open up into large basins.

One thing I don't like about all ski hills here (and there's a lot to choose from, but this one bugs me the most) is that the lifts are basically classified by difficulty level. For instance, one chair takes you only to green circle runs, while another takes you only to black diamond runs. I'm used to hills where there are a variety of ways down, the basic run for beginners, and then the moguls for the brave, so basically your whole family can stick together even if everyone's at a different level.

[Baummer]

Hey, if anyone's interested I'm trying to plan a trip to Iran this winter. Skiing's supposed to be amazing, and cheap. If that falls through, Russia. Let me know if you're down.

[Bibbitybop]

I hated Yongpyong last year. Ice galore, crowds and a horrible, unmaintained park. I'm trying High One this year.

[xCustomx]

[xCustomx]

[earthbound14]

High1 sounds alright, except for the extra distance and the 100,000 more for a seasons pass.

I'm not sold on it yet, but I hear it gets more snow than some of the other resorts and they have a train that goes from Seoul.

I've heard about this new resort in Gangwon 250,000 for this years pass cause it's a new resort, the area gets good snow fall for Korea...hmmmm dare I think about powder?

Anyway my source doesn't seem to remember the name of it but he does know it's cheaper this year and has great snow. Anyone hear of this mystery place? Perhaps the newly revamped Alps is what he's thinkin of? Their web site is complete junk though and I can't get anything of value from it.

[earthbound14]

[earthbound14]

[quote="RACETRAITOR"]I've been to two you haven't named.

Bearstown: maybe a little farther than Jisan, but a much more engaging layout. [quote]

I heard that about Bearstown. Might be one of the better local hits.

I also kinda like Seoul Resort. The oldest place to ski in Korea I think. Crappy as hell, but very close, cheap and one run is fun. Worth a quick trip.

[sigmundsmith]

[xCustomx]

Anyone know what kind of transportation is offered for High1 and Phoenix Park? Do they have any buses?

[640x480]

I'm looking to hit a resort for a couple days with a group.
By the sound of things, Phoenix and HIgh 1 seems to be the best options...

Thanks for the info.

[I_Am_The_Kiwi]

[Scotticus]

Bumping this thread cause I'm considering finally picking up a snowboard while I'm in Korea. I want to get a good idea about my options.