A Series of Posts on Where to Ski in South Korea : High1 Resort
October 19th, 2022
High1 Resort, the biggest ski resort in South Korea, is a resort and casino hotel complex operated by Gangwon Land, the state-owned company, established in the abandoned mine region Jeongseon, 3-hour driving distance away from Seoul. They don’t just have a resort for ski, they also supply various amenities and entertainment all year round.
Main facilities of High1 Resort are ski slopes, condominiums, hotels, a golf club, a casino, a water park, spa, etc.
It has three peaks at elevations of 1.25km to 1.376km and five slopes for beginners to professionals including the giant slalom course, which are validated by Fédération Internationale de Ski(FIS, International Ski Federation). The slopes are named after ancient Greek gods like Zeus, Victoria, Hera, Apollo and Athena. Their slopes are very wide and capable of taking disabled skiers and snowboarders, so they can host national or international championship for disabled athletes.
They are using cutting-edge technologies, for example the auto recognition system allows you keep the lift card in your pocket and pass the entrance without showing it. Their lifts and gondolas are also the latest technology.
There are two ski houses where you can buy tickets, rent equipments, ride a lift or a gondola to the peak and book a lesson. Also cafes, lounges, medical centers, changing rooms and lockers are in the ski houses. You can do all the things at one place.
In High1 Resort there is also a snow theme park for families with children, called Snow World. It has sled slopes, an ice rink and the igloo playground.
They also have indoor amusement places like the archery field and the roller skating rink.
In High1 Resort are three five-star hotels. One of them is the casino hotel. In South Korea normally casinos can accept only foreigners, but the casino in High1 Resort is the only one Koreans can use. The Grand Hotel, where the casino is, is very big and luxury. Even just hanging around the hotel would be a thing that makes you relax.
They also have huge condominium blocks for small groups of skiers who need a budget friendly room with a kitchen.
There are many independent rental shops and accommodations outside of the resort. Mostly they offer all-inclusive packages with gear rental, lodgment, and shuttles to the resort.
And there are many restaurants in and out of the resort. From Korean bbq to K-fried chicken, Korean traditional food and fusion Chinese food. You can get takeout or delivery to your room. Or you can have some snacks or light meals at cafeterias or convenient stores in the resort while you are at slope areas. And Unamjeong is a representative bakery cafe in the resort. It is a huge place with Korean traditional houses and gardens. It is a beautiful place you can take great photos.
You can get hot deals from the resort, independent shops outside of the resort or tour agencies, and they offer customizing packages. So you can choose options you need. For example you can choose one day or half day trip without staying the night or you can ask a tour bus service for a round trip from Seoul to the resort.
- How to get High1 Resort
The location of High1 Resort is 424 Highwon-gil, Gohan-eup, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do.
There is a private bus company offering skiers bus travel from major downtowns in Seoul such as Hongdae, Gangnam and Jamsil, to ski resorts across Korea including High1 Resort. It is a very convenient system. You can see the time tables and information about locations of the bus stops on the English website of High1 Resort. The bus riding takes three hours from Seoul to High1 Resort.
- Other Ski Resorts in South Korea
Vivaldi Park in Hongcheon, Gangwondo
Monapark Yongpyong Resort in Pyeongchang, Gangwondo
Elysian Gangchon in Chuncheon, Gangwondo
Muju Deokyusan Resort in Muju, Jeollabukdo
Phoenix Pyeongchang Snow Park in Pyeongchang, Gangwondo
Alpensia Resort in Pyeongchang, Gangwondo
Welli Hilli Park in Hoengseong, Gangwondo