Happy winter! Today I want to talk about Korean winter sports, getting into the vocab and the culture of skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating they have out there. South Korea does experience snowy winters, and with the mountainous terrain, it has a lot of prime spots to keep active in the cold months.

What is Skiing & Snowboarding Like in Korea?
Ski culture is growing in South Korea! A lot of resorts and hills are going strong, and adding unique Korean culture as well. Similar to camping in Korea, people love to go all out here and make the experience as comfortable and all-inclusive as it can be. Some of the top resorts in Korea are decked out with all the amenities you can imagine, year-round activities, shopping, and more! Many have the classic Korean culture I’ve touched a bit on before: Karaoke, KBBQ, Jjimjilbangs, saunas, and a lot of delicious food.
Since skiing has recently become a popular winter pastime, many resorts are made for beginners. Many offer packages to rent both snowboard and skiing gear, get lessons, and lift passes. Though be aware that most will only offer lessons in Korean!
Popular Korean Ski Resorts
- 용평 리조트 (Yongpyong Resort): Korea’s largest ski and snowboard resort! founded in 2000 and accepts the IKON pass.
- 휘닉스파크 (Phoenix Park): the venue for the freestyle skiing and snowboarding events in the 2018 Winter Olympics!
- 비발디 파크 (Vivaldi Park): has day and night skiing options, with large facilities/accommodation.
- 엘리시안 강촌 (Elysian Gangchon): easily accessible by subway and transit. Slopes are made for beginners, but still have advanced options.
Is Ice Skating Popular in Korea?
Skating is very popular. Many people have a sense of pride related to Korean skating because of the popular Olympic medalist Yuna Kim, of course! Though speed skating is a bigger focus and sense of pride. The Korean team has won multiple medals at the Olympics over the years. They are seen as a strong competitor in the field. Past the athletics, ice skating is seen as a fun date or family activity, with public rinks opening up during winter.

Korean Winter Sports Vocab
겨울: winter
눈: snow
가짜 눈: fake snow
눈송이: snowflake
폭설: heavy snow
눈보라: blizzard
추운: cold
쌀쌀한: chilly
얼다: freeze
얼음: ice
미끄러운: slippery
따뜻한 옷: warm clothes
스카프: scarf
헬멧: helmet
고글: goggles
장갑: glove
스웨터: sweater
코트: coat
방수 자켓: waterproof jacket
부츠: boots
장비: gear/equipment
벽난로: fireplace
뜨거운 코코아: hot cocoa
핫초코: hot chocolate
핫팩: hot pack
넘어지다: to fall
회전하다: to turn
브레이크를 걸다: to brake/stop
속도를 줄이다: to slow down
강습 받다: to take a lesson
강습: lesson/class
초보자: beginner
리조트: resort
숙소: accommodation
슬로프: slope
케이블카: cable car
스키 리프트: ski lift
리프트 타다: to ride the lift
스키: ski
폴: ski poles
야간 스키: night skiing
스키복: ski suit
스키 장비: ski gear
스키 타다: to ski
스키장: ski lodge
스키 패스: ski pass
스키 점프: ski jumping
스노보드: snowboard
스노보드 장비: snowboard gear
스노보드 타다: to snowboard
아이스 하키: ice hockey
피겨 스케이팅: figure skating
스피드 스케이팅: speed skating
아이스 스케이팅: ice skating
장갑 끼는거 잊지 마세요: dont forget to wear gloves
스노보드 장비를 어디서 빌려요?: where can I borrow snowboard equipment?
스키 리프트 티켓 어디서 사요?: where can I buy ski lift ticket?
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