PyeongChang: A Complete Guide to South Korea's Ski Culture

Neon-clad snowboarders glide down slopes to the thumping beats of Korean hip-hop. It's midnight, the slopes remain active, and the music is still pumping, creating an atmosphere as lively as a Seoul street at rush hour.

This is South Korean-style skiing: high energy, fast-paced, and unapologetically vibrant.

This month, PyeongChang, an underrated mountain town in eastern South Korea, takes center stage as it hosts the world’s largest winter sports event: the Olympic Games.

But the real question is: will the crowds show up?

South Korea has never quite attracted the same volume of tourists as its neighbors China or Japan. The ongoing tension on the Korean Peninsula, with North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile threats, certainly doesn’t help the situation.

While South Korea’s mountains may not boast the dramatic, towering peaks of the Alps or the snow-covered volcanoes of Hokkaido, the country makes up for this with practicality: compact, modern resorts with quick ski lifts and excellent snowmaking technology.

The region also has its own unique ski culture: think soju, BBQ, and plenty of time spent relaxing in jjimjilbang, the famous Korean spas.

Travelers from Southeast Asia are already familiar with this blend of winter fun, heading to Gangwon Province in South Korea for a taste of snow and to follow in the footsteps of their favorite K-pop idols. It’s like a more laid-back version of Hokkaido, with a dose of K-pop flair.

Ready to hit the slopes?

Here’s how to experience skiing like a local in PyeongChang, South Korea – just don’t mix it up with Pyongyang, North Korea, which also has its own ski resort.

Bring along a flask of soju to keep warm during those chilly 2 a.m. chairlift rides.

If you plan on skiing at night, don’t forget a flask of soju – Korea’s version of schnapps – to help you stay warm.

Here’s why: the PyeongChang Winter Olympics site, located in eastern Gangwon Province, is about 200 kilometers from Seoul, the capital of South Korea.

Unless you take the newly completed high-speed train, your best bet is to travel by bus or car. Without traffic, the drive takes about two and a half hours, but on weekends, expect to arrive much later in the evening.

To cater to the schedules of Seoulites, resorts here tend to stay open much later. Really late.

Alpensia stays open until 10 p.m., while the chair lifts at Yongpyong, also known as Dragon Valley, remain operational for night skiing until 2:30 a.m.

This schedule allows dedicated skiers and snowboarders to get in some late-night runs after a long drive – just be sure to bundle up as temperatures often drop well below freezing after midnight.

At the summit of the gondola, Dragon Peak offers a pop culture treat: the iconic lodge here was featured prominently in 'Winter Sonata,' one of South Korea’s most beloved TV dramas.

As you glide down the slopes, don't forget to snap some 'Winter Sonata' selfies at the designated photo zones.

Shake off the snow and ice with some high-energy skiing.

South Koreans take great care in maintaining their gear. After hitting the slopes, stop by the lodge to use the air guns outside and blast off all the snow and ice from your equipment.

Grab an overpriced latte, and then head to the jjimjilbang for a relaxing soak.

South Korea's take on apres-ski: The Jjimjilbang.

South Koreans have taken Asia’s love of mineral baths to the next level by adding special rooms where you can literally steam yourself into relaxation.

After a long day on the slopes, nothing beats warming up in a hot bath to relax your muscles and unwind.

Public access saunas are available at Dragon Valley Hotel in Yongpyong and the Holiday Inn in Alpensia.

The resorts' water parks – Ocean 700 at Alpensia and Peak Island at Yongpyong – are like amplified saunas, featuring swimming pools, towering waterslides, food courts, and DVD rooms.

Peak Island even offers a golf area, while Ocean 700 features a pool with simulated ocean waves.

A monk's feast.

By now, you're likely feeling ravenous.

Although PyeongChang is undergoing Olympic-related construction, it remains a charming country town. Restaurants shut down early, and the nightlife is practically nonexistent. However, there are culinary gems to discover in PyeongChang if you know where to find them.

Gangwon Province is famed for its mountain vegetables, known as sanchae, and is home to rustic dining spots like Odae Sanchae Nara, where tables are laden with numerous small plates, each showcasing roots and greens prepared in a variety of ways.

The meal is rounded off with platters of crispy potato pancakes, all complemented by the local rice wine, makgeolli. Mountain vegetables are also a favorite among the monks of nearby Woljeongsa Temple.

Dating back to 643, this Buddhist temple is a mesmerizing sight in winter and a favored destination for those seeking a peaceful retreat.

According to legend, the temple has been rebuilt multiple times, most recently after it was set on fire by South Korean forces during the Korean War to flush out North Korean rebels suspected of hiding within.

Odae Sanchae Nara; 159 Jingogae-ro, Ganpyeong-ri, Jinbu-myeon, PyeongChang-gun, Gangwon Province; +82-33-334-9514; open daily, 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Looking for something hearty?

If you're a meat lover, follow the locals' lead: Grab some of Gangwon Province's renowned hanwoo beef, known for its exceptional tenderness, rivaling Japan's famous Wagyu.

PyeongChang is home to several 'hanwoo towns,' where you can find self-service grills just a stone's throw away.

Pick your preferred cuts, and for just a few thousand won (a couple of extra dollars), you can cook them right on the spot, complete with kimchi and all the sides to satisfy your cravings.

Alternatively, bring your beef back to your condo and enjoy the traditional Korean way: sitting on the heated floor, cross-legged, while playing drinking games with somaek, a delightful blend of beer and soju.

Convenience stores are stocked with all the essentials for a Korean BBQ: disposable chopsticks, microwaveable rice, and small containers of ssamjang sauce—spicy and earthy—perfect for dipping your barbecued beef. And of course, beer and soju.

To wrap up your Korean night the right way—if you haven’t already passed out from all the snow, heat, and soju—the best finish is with some karaoke.

In South Korea, karaoke in private rooms known as noraebang is the ultimate way to wrap up a night. With PyeongChang's quieter nightlife, this is where the real party takes place.

Once you've unleashed your inner K-pop star, stumble back to your condo, spread out your mattress, and let the warmth of the ondol floors gently lull you to sleep.

This is skiing, South Korean-style—where high energy and unique traditions come together for a one-of-a-kind experience.

Originally published in January 2017, updated in February 2018.