Korea’s ski season has begun, led by early openings at Pyeongchang resorts like Phoenix Park (celebrating its 30th anniversary). Many Gangwon resorts opened late November, with Seoul-area ski hills also starting this week. Phoenix Park offers weekend free live shows themed “Back to 1995,” appealing to 40–50s, and a “Pingu” (popular animated penguin) photo zone and goods with a “Pingu Pass.” Large snow play areas are highlighted: Vivaldi Park’s 46,000㎡ “Snowy Land” features a 15m-wide sledding run, and High1 Resort’s “Snow World” added rafting-style tube sleds and windbreaks and clear domes to reduce cold. Elysian and Gonjiam resorts in the metro area are busy; Elysian keeps free shuttle buses from Seoul stations and offers flexible lift-ticket blocks (2–8 hours). Gonjiam extends slope hours during the peak season so visitors can watch sunrise from the slopes and uses a mobile app for lift, rental, and entry. Special events include a Christmas gala show at Yongpyong and New Year’s torch skiing, fireworks, and countdowns at major resorts.
