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when I slide down the slope. I try out new techniques every time I
descend. Carving is a popular technique now and once I master
that, I can’t say enough how accomplished I will feel.”
There are more than 20 ski resorts throughout the country,
many in the snowy, mountainous region of Gangwon Province. Ski
resorts are not just for skiers and snowboarders but are also the
perfect place for families and workshop attendees, because they
are designed as entertainment complexes that offer accommodations.
According to statistics, an estimated 6.7 million people will
visit ski resorts in Korea this winter.
A haven for skiers, Gangwon Province has many destination
cities such as Pyeongchang, Hongcheon, Jeongseon and Wonju.
KOREA headed to Pyeongchang, a county with a well-developed
infrastructure that is currently making its third bid to host the
Winter Olympics. Phoenix Park ski resort in Pyeongchang, a place
that’s loved by younger generations and often called “Phi-park,” is
crowded with skiers and snowboarders on every slope — even on
weekdays. The resort has eight lifts and gondolas, all of them busy
transporting skiers and snowboarders to the top. Panorama Slope
and the beginners’ course have a total length of 3,350m. The
region also boasts the famous “Extreme Park,” Korea’s very first
snowboard park designed by the country’s top world-class snowboarder
Park Hyun-sang. The various courses and slopes at
Phoenix Park are more than enough to attract winter sports enthusiasts,
from beginners to professionals.
Hyundai Sungwoo Resort, located in Hoengseong, near
Pyeongchang, is a popular destination for families because of its
various attractions, particularly, “Snow Adventure” featuring the
longest bobsleigh slope in Korea, a dogsled park, carriage rides
and much more. It is a well-known hotspot for anyone looking to
experience a diverse range of unique outdoor events.
Ski resorts in Gangwon Province also attract international visitors.
In Asian countries like Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and
Malaysia, Korea is a popular destination for winter getaways.
Whether it’s an individual trip or a group tour package, international
visitors come to Korea for ski vacations, to try local Korean cuisine
and to relax. We ran into a group of international skiers at the
top of a slope. Summer Goh, from Singapore, told us that it was
her first visit to a ski resort and that she was having a great time.
“It’s my first time getting a ski lesson but I haven’t fallen and I am
really enjoying it,” she said, adding that she would melt away the
fatigue by relaxing at a spa in the hot springs later that night.
Winter sports, though set on snowy slopes with biting winds,
also make for a perfect opportunity for families to get together. We
saw a father who had taken his boys out for a few days on the
slopes while his wife was still at work. The father, Choi Jong-seok,
Yonhapnews Agency
A beautiful night scene from the International Ski Federation’s Snowboard Big Air World
Cup held at Gwanghwamun Square, in Seoul, on December 13, 2009 (above).
KOREA
FEBRUARY
2010
47