Winters in Korea are known to be harsh, but there are plenty of Korean winter activities to do during winter in South Korea. Festivals, performances, and events abound across the country despite plunging temperatures. If you’re wondering about Korean winter activities, then look no further!
Those not afraid of fully embracing the cold can get outside with snow sports, ice rinks, and ice fishing festivals, and you can also enjoy the pleasant sights in and around Seoul. You can also stay warm indoors while enjoying some music. From markets to ice sculptures, and sunrise festivals to sledding, there are plenty of things to do during this Korean winter.
Annual Winter Festivals Around Korea
Pyeongchang Trout Festival | Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do
The Pyeongchang Trout Festival takes place during winter in the town of Jinbu-myeon. Trout farming first started in Pyeongchang due to its cold, clear waters. Visitors to the festival can enjoy a variety of programs including ice and lure fishing for trout, snow programs, ice programs, folk programs, and more.
There will also be traditional folk games including sledding and top spinning, and sports such as riding 4-wheel ATVs, snow rafting, sleigh trains. Any trout caught from ice fishing and lure fishing can be prepared right away at a nearby restaurant.
Price: ₩15,000 for a fishing ticket, ₩29,000 for a tent to keep the wind off of your face, and ₩3,000-5,000 to take your fish to a restaurant and request for it to be cooked/prepared.
For more information: Visit the festival website here (Korean only).
Mt. Taebaek Snow Festival | Gangwon-do
Enjoy on-snow and ice events for all ages! Likewise, get to see wonderful snow sculptures and the breathtaking Taebaeksan mountain. Admission fee is free but there are separate fees for programs.
For more information: Check updates on tour.taebaek.go.kr or call the Taebaek-si Tourism Information Center at +82-33-550-2085 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese).
Daegwallyeong Snow Festival | Gangwon-do
Experience the mesmerizing ice sculpture park, snowman park, take pictures at the snow land photo zone, and many more at the Daegwallyeong snow festival this winter. The participation fee varies depending on the program so make sure to check for more details on http://www.snowfestival.net/
For more information: Check updates on http://www.snowfestival.net/ or call +82-33-335-3995
Winter Sports
Yong Pyeong Ski Resort | Gangwon-do
The patron saint of skiing and snowboarding stations in Korea offers 28 slopes and an elevation of 1350m. Count on three hours of travel time from Seoul (shuttle bus and car only). With 28 different slopes of varying difficulty, Yongpyong is a great destination for winter sports.
Opens: Mid November – early April
Entrance Fee: Rental day pass ₩33,000, half-day pass ₩28,00. Lift day pass ₩76,000, lift half-day pass ₩59,000
For more information: Check here
High1 Ski Resort | Gohan-eup, Gangwon-do
The new kid on the block, with a summit of approximately 1150 m. The casino is nearby for apres-ski gambling, there are plenty of accommodation options nearby, it has a proper snow (not hard ice) mogul run, and best of all it is rail-accessible.
Opens: Mid November – early April
Entrance Fee: High1 Ski charges ₩78,000 for a day pass and also offers a variety of half day passes, evening passes and season tickets.
For more information: Check here
Deogyusan Ski Resort | Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do
Perhaps the most scenic layout of any ski resort in Korea. A beautiful panorama awaits you at the highest summit of any ski station in the country (approximately 1530m). With plenty of options for accommodation, Muju is also rail-accessible and the only major ski resort south of Seoul.
For more information on Muju Resort including prices and packages, check here
Sledding at Everland | Gyeonggi-do
The ‘Snow Buster’ sledding hill in Everland during winter is a great attraction for families and Seoulites who don’t ski and prefer a more laidback winter sport. Everland provides the slope, the sleds, and the snow, as well as several other helpful facilities such as heated lounges with refreshments and snacks. Another huge bonus? Everland installed a ‘tube lift’ for the ‘Snow Buster’, meaning you can sled to the bottom, climb back up to the top and do it all over again without getting (too) tired.
Opens: December to March
Entrance Fee: ₩54,000 for a one-day ticket, ₩84,000 for a two-day ticket
Hours: Usually 10:00-21:00 (check website for daily hours)
For more information: Check here
Ice Diving at Spavis | Asan
Spavis, a waterpark in Asan, makes the most of a frozen wintry lake and offers ‘ice diving’ as a winter activity. If you feel like braving the cold, strip down to your bathers and soak in a heated pool in the freezing cold. Surrounded by snow, it’s a nice way to relax and enjoy the mineral-rich hot springs. And if you get tired of the ice diving, there’s a variety of novelty pools, water slides and saunas.
Entrance Fee: ₩64,000 for high season, ₩37,000 for low season
Hours: 9:00 – 19:00 during the high season, 10:00 – 18:00 during the middle season.
For more information: Check http://www.spavis.co.kr/reservation.guide.asp
You can find more ski resorts in Korea here.
Indoor Ice Skating Rinks In Seoul
Practice your skills, or take some classes to learn ice skating. Either way, it’ll be a fun leisure activity among friends or even a nice date idea. In some venues, there may also be snow sledding hills, snow playgrounds, and other diverse winter activities.
One Mount’s Snow Park | Ilsan
One Mount, an indoor winter theme park located in Ilsan, offers a large indoor ice skating rink separated for both skaters and sledders.
Entrance Fee: ₩30,000 for all-day tickets
Skate Rental: ₩5,000 – personal skates are not allowed.
Hours: 10:00 – 18:00 during weekdays, 10:00 – 19:00 during weekends.
For more information: Visit the One Mount website. Get your tickets here.
Lotte World Ice Skating Rink | Jamsil
Lotte World contains a giant and fully enclosed hockey-sized ice skating rink that is open year round. Hours are from 11AM-10:30PM on weekdays, and 10AM-10:30PM on weekends. The cost for 3 hours of skating ranges from around ₩10,000 – ₩15,000.
Entrance Fee: ₩52,000 for all-day tickets,₩41,000 for after 4PM,₩36,000 for admission only.
Skate Rental: ₩10,000 – ₩15,000
Hours: 11:00 – 22:30 during weekdays, 10:00 – 22:30 during weekends.
For more information: Visit their website.
Mokdong Ice Skating Rink | Yangcheon
This indoor ice skating rink is open to the public year round and fits 1,000 skaters on the ice. Many events and competitions have been held here, and the stadium houses state of the art facilities.
Entrance Fee: ₩4,000 for weekdays, 5,200 for weekends.
Skate Rental: ₩4,000 for two hours, then ₩1,000 per hour
Hours: 14:00 – 18:00 on weekdays, 12:00 – 18:00 on weekends
For more information: Visit their website (Korean) or check here (English)
Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks In Seoul
Olympic Park Ice Skating Rink | Songpa
The Olympic Park Peace Plaza is an outdoor ice skating rink is located in the Songpa-gu district of Seoul and is open every winter. For more information, check here
Grand Hyatt Ice Skating Rink | Namsan
Known as one of Seoul’s most beautiful skating rinks, the Grand Hyatt hotel transforms its outdoor swimming pool area into a beautiful and romantic winter wonderland. Featuring twinkling fairy lights and decorated trees, the lovely winter ambiance makes it a popular winter date destination.
Entrance Fee: ₩26,000 – Mon-Thu / ₩32,000 – Fri-Sun & Holidays
Hours: 12PM – 9PM – Weekdays / 10AM – 9PM – Weekends
Skate Rentals: ₩20,000
Winter Light Festivals and Exhibitions In Korea
Going to a light or lantern festival is one of the most affordable and enjoyable things to do during winter in South Korea! You just need to keep your eyes peeled, so you know where to go.
LED Flower Garden at the DDP | Jung-gu
Every night, except every 3rd Monday of every month (19:00-24:00)
Walk through a bed of illuminated roses at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza. It’s going to be the perfect way to end (or start!) the all-night shopping marathon in the area.
World Nightview Fantasy Lighting Festival | Bucheon
When: All-Year Long
Aiins World, Korea’s miniature theme park, now holds its ‘World Nightview Fantasy Lighting Festival’ throughout the year. However, we think it’s beautiful to see in the crisp coldness of winter. Located in Bucheon-si, the theme park is easily accessible via public transport (Seoul Subway Line 7).
Fairy Tale Story Festival of Herb Island | Gyeonggi-do
If the LED roses at the DDP aren’t enough, see the whole Pocheon Herb Island filled with Christmas lights! The Light & Fairy Tale Story Festival never fails to wow guests with the truly fantastical decor. Starting in November, you can also try various Christmas-themed activities like tree, candlestick, and souvenir soap-making.
Opens: November to April
Entrance Fee: ₩6,000 for weekdays
For more information: Check out herbisland.co.kr (English, Korean, Chinese) for more information.
Winter Wonderland @ Everland | Gyeonggi-do
Spend an entire day in South Korea’s largest theme park, and see how it transforms into a bright and colourful spectacle at night.
- Opens: December to March
- Entrance Fee: ₩56,000 for a one day ticket, ₩87,000 for a two-day ticket
- Hours: Usually 10:00-21:00 (check website for daily hours)
- For more information: Check http://www.everland.com/
If you enjoyed this article about Korean winter activities make sure to check out this article about the best Korean street foods to beat the cold.