A Series of Posts on Where to Ski in South Korea : Vivaldi Park
October 21st, 2022
Vivaldi Park is a top tier ski and water resort in Korea. This resort is divided in two parts, Ski World and Ocean World. Both are among the most popular places in Korea for leisure and sports in winter and summer seasons respectively. Ocean World is opened all year round, so many people stay more than 2 days in winter. One day is for skiing or snowboarding in Ski World and the other day is for Ocean World with warm pools and spa.
1. Location
It is located in Hongcheon. Even though it is in Gangwon-do, it is only one and half hours drive away from Seoul, thanks to the newly built expressway from Seoul to Yangyang, which is its one of many strengths. So many people go to Vivaldi Park for a short trip of one day or half day to go to ski or the water park.
2. Slopes
They have twelve slopes for various levels from very beginners to professionals, including Blues, Ballad, Classic, Reggae, Jazz, Funky, Hip-Hop, Techno1, Techno2 and Rock. Interestingly the names are related to music tempo. During the pandemic only three basic slopes — for beginners(Ballard), intermediates(Jazz) and the advanced(Techno) — were opened, but they are planning to open most of slopes this year. It is subject to the pandemic situation.
Along Blues slope, which is for very beginners, there are low incline moving walkways instead of lifts or gondolas. I think it is a very convenient system.
3. Services and Facilities
Like other ski resort, Vivaldi Park supplies gear rental and lesson. When you arrive the resort, you can see the huge main building where is you can buy tickets, rent equipments, and use lockers and changing rooms. And there are gates out to slope area. Vivaldi Park’s facilities and amenities are the best in efficiency and convenience.
Besides Snow World and Ocean World, there is Snowy Land in the resort for families with kids, where you can ride a boat or tube sled. It is absolutely fun.
And its huge underground arcade has restaurants, convenient stores, the supermarket, the merry-go-around, karaoke, the arcade video game room, Ant World(the indoor kids’ playground), etc.
You can go up to the peak of Maebong Mountain by a gondola, where are the sheep farm, sky swings — these are so thrilled that it feels like swinging in the sky — and the observatory cafe.
Actually once you get into the resort you don’t need to go outside.
4. Restaurants, Cafes and Stores
Many food stores and resting spots are in the resort in case you feel hungry or tired while skiing. In the food court, there are many famous Korean restaurant brands for dakgalbi, tteokbikki, noodles and so on. And they have a big grocery called Good and Goods. So you can get take out from a vendor in the food court or if your room has a kitchen you can get food at the grocery and make meals on your own on the room. Also you can see Burger King, Starbucks and Domino Pizza there.
And there is a small cafeteria on the starting point of Jazz slope, where you can have some snacks, Korean cup ramen, coffee and beverages. Even you can buy and toast marshmallows over the brazier there. Never miss hot chocolate!
If you want Korean traditional dining, right next to the main building is the Korean traditional house styled restaurant called Sigol Jangteo(시골장터) where you can have Korean BBQ and guk-bab.
5. Accommodations
In Vivaldi Park are hotel and condominium blocks with various options from luxury suite rooms to budget friendly condominium rooms with a kitchen for a small group. You can enjoy the spectacular view of Mountains covered snow in the room.
6. Other Information
You can use independent rental shops and lodges outside of the resort. Mostly they offer all-in-one services including gear rental, lesson and shuttling. Or you can get a customized tour service via tour agencies specialized ski tour in Korea. They always offer hot deals.
- How to get Vivaldi Park
The location of Vivaldi Park is 262 Hanchigol-gil, Seo-myeon, Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon-do.
Besides using a rent car, you can use services of private bus companies. They offer skiers bus travel from major downtowns in Seoul such as Hongdae, Gangnam and Jamsil, to ski resorts across Korea including Vivaldi Park. To make a reservation for the bus, you have to contact a ski tour agency for foreigners.
- Other Ski Resorts in South Korea
High1 Resort in Jeongseon, 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