www.korea.net

AP Photo / The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese / Yonhapnews Agency
On December 11, 2009, an unusual scene was observed in the
heart of Seoul, the capital city of the Republic of Korea. In
Gwanghwamun Square, a 34m-high and 100m-long jump ramp
was built and covered with snow, and top the world’s top snowboarders
came to show off their skills. The 2009 Seoul Snow Jam,
co-hosted by Seoul City government and the Korea Ski Instructors
Association, is a snowboard competition that caught the attention
of about 200 media channels in 100 countries around the world.
The following night, Kim Deok-kyeong, who came from out of
town to watch the competition, commented, “The place is so
crowded with spectators it’s a little hard to enjoy.” But he gave it
the thumbs up because “it’s a unique opportunity to see snowboarders
live, jumping from up in the skyscrapers.” For those keen
to get involved rather than just watch, there are plenty of winter
sports to enjoy in Seoul. Ice skating at Gwanghwamun Square,
World Cup Park and Olympic Park is both fun and affordable —
about US$0.90 per 60 to 90 minutes.
Lee Se-na, who has been skiing since she was five years old, is
well-known as a ski fanatic among her friends. She can’t stand the
cold but every year she waits for winter. “Until I was in college, I
always bought a season pass and went skiing every weekend. But
now that I have a job, I can’t come so often,” Lee said. When
asked what attracted her to the sport, she said, “the fresh feeling
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KOREA
FEBRUARY
2010
The landscapes of Phoenix Park ski resort (top left). World figure skating champion Kim Yuna
carried the Olympic flame in Hamilton, Canada, on last December (top right). Summer
Goh from Singapore, in the middle, says that she likes having ski lessons in Korea (above).