I’ve been dreading winter since I arrived in Korea ten months ago. The thought of cold winds coming in from Siberia, and temperatures that regularly drop below freezing point absolutely terrified me. However, now that winter is finally upon us, I’ve discovered that it is not so bad after all. Since Korea was announced the official host for the 2018 winter olympics last year, the country has started stepping up its game as far as winter activities are concerned, and I have discovered that there is still plenty of fun to be had here during the cold months. So here are some ideas for things to do here if you do end up coming to Korea in the winter:
Snowboarding/skiing Korean-style
While you might be hard pressed to find log cabins complete with warm fires burning away in the fireplace, what Korea does offer is something of a contemporary skiing experience. The slopes are generally surrounded by high-rise condos, ranging from budget to extremely luxurious, all of which are of course heated with ondol (Korea’s under-the-floor-heating system.) Most skii resorts also feature live k-pop concerts to keep you entertained whilst on the slopes (see the k-pop girls photographed with me in the picture above.)
Prices are extremely cheap, ranging from around $100-$200 for a weekend, including all rental gear. And during the winter months, slopes open up all over the country, so they are very easy to reach from where ever you might be.
Outdoor ice skating in Seoul
If you think you can manage the cold, outdoor ice skating at Seoul plaza is great fun, and super cheap at just $1 for the ice skate rental. If you’re not up for actually ice skating, its equally interesting to just sit and watch all the Kim Yuna wannabes practicing their tricks on the ice.
Visit a jimjilbang
Jimjilbangs are Korean public bath houses, which are great all year round, but offer some well-needed warmth in the winter months. Koreans come to jilbangs to bathe, use the steam/sauna rooms, and even just relax in ondol-heated communal areas. If you’re really getting sick of the cold, jimjilbangs are a fantastic refuge, and you can even sleep overnight in them if you can’t tear yourself away from all that wonderful heat! Most jimjilbangs cost less than $10 per day. My personal favourite is the ultra-luxurious and foreigner friendly Dragon Hill Spa in Yongsan. Walk in feeling like a snowman and walk out feeling like Cleopatra!
Take in the stunning scenery at Korea’s best national parks
Korea’s heavy snowfall makes for picture-perfect snow-capped mountains. To experience the beauty of this wonderful winter scenery, head for some of Korea’s best national parks such as Soreoksan in Gangwon-do province, or Hallasan in Jeju island, where you might well feel like you’ve just stepped into Narnia.
Try your hand at ice fishing
The tour group Adventure Korea offers a trip to the ice fishing festival in Hwacheon city, Gangwon-do province for $98, which inlcudes meals, transport, and accommodation for one night. Here you can dig yourself a little hole in the ice and dangle a fishing rod into it in hope to catch some fish, or if you really feel confident, you can even try bare-handed fishing! The fish that you catch can either be eaten raw straight away, or cooked up BBQ-style later. There are lots of other winter activities on offer at the festival too, such as sledding, snowmobiling, sleigh making, curling, ice football and skating.
Make the most of Korea’s seasonal soups
Korea’s spicy steaming broths and stews are perfect winter warmers, and there are lots of varieties on offer to keep you satisfied. My personal favourite is Hajangguk (featured above). It’s a spicy soup made from beef bones with a dash of ox blood in it which gives it a hearty unique taste, and it comes with giant chunks of soft on-the-bone beef in it. If you’ve had enough of robust Korean flavours, kongnamulguk (beansprout soup) is a more subtle option. It’s extremely mild, with only the smallest hint of spice, and it tastes both refreshing and warm at the same time.
Knit yourself some winter woolens!
Knitting is very popular in Korea during the winter, and so are woolen accessories. My students are always knitting themselves scarfs at their desks in school. Knitting needles and wool can be found very easily in Korea, but for the biggest collection of wools, head to the market at Dongdaemun, where you can choose from a wide variety of colours and threads to knit yourself something truly awesome. If you are not sure how to knit and would like some help, or even if you just fancy some company as you knit, there is a foreigners knitting group in Seoul called ‘stitch and bitch’ who are always welcoming new members.
Good article. I personally loathe cold weather, although I wouldn’t mind trying my hand at ice fishing. It’s getting pretty cold here, too, and I’m escaping to Cambodia on Wednesday.
I used to climb the mountains around Daegu in winter because it was always quiet. I actually saw a few deer around when they snow settled.
Thanks David,
Yeah I haven’t actually tried ice fishing yet but I really want to. My friends told me it was amazing. I’m pretty jealous of you escaping for warmer climbs though, I’ve still got 5 weeks left until I ditch the cold weather for Malaysia. Hope you have a great time in Cambodia
Wow I didn’t realise there were so many amazing things to do in Korea in the winter! Last year in Germany there were of course the famous Christmas markets, but to be honest being crammed in so you can barely move to buy tacky presents and drink hot wine is NOT my thing. Then again Winter is not my thing (except for the fuzzy hats)
I love the German Christmas markets!! Somehow Christmas doesn’t feel like Christmas without a German market. I went to one this year in Seoul actually – should have added it to the list! I totally agree with you though, winter is not really my thing either, but I LOVED snowboarding. Next time I try it I want to do it somewhere a bit warmer though, perhaps somewhere with artificial snow. Still, it is super cheap in Korea and its a great way to make the most of the heavy snowfall here.
cold winter in Estonia is pretty regular (so it is always so fun hearing people freaking out about it, because really.. it is not that bad, but I understand). And I have to say – even Estonians think I’m weird because I do not get cold often (who am I to judge kkk).
I personally like to go out and take pictures of the pretty.
So, Estonians usually skii, go sledding, play snow fights, build snowmen, castles and whatever you can think of, go ice skating (that can also be done without the skates by just using slippery roads) or escape to countries with steeper slopes to try snow boarding. Others visit Egypt.
I would have to say that when the Estonian is not in hibernation during winter, then he/she visits theatres more often, takes up new hobbies, workouts etc.. I, for example, start knitting.
I would suggest wearing hats and gloves and woollen socks and scarves!!! (actually dressing according to the weather) and you can do whatever in around -10 to-15… -20 is already trickier
oh knitting!!!! I need to add that to my list. All my Korean students knit!!
I had no idea there was so much stuff to do in South Korea in the winter too. I’m now thinking it sounds like a great place to spend the winter! I also really want to go to a jimjilbang – looks so relaxing!
Yeah jimjilbangs are awesome!!! And once you get past the whole being naked in front of other women thing, you can totally relax! I think I might have to make my own jimjilbang in England one day! They’re just so great – its like a spa retreat but for £5 a day!!
Have you ever snowboarded before? That’s my favourite winter activity so far. I’ve got itchy feet to get back on the slopes, but money is making things incredibly difficult as I’m trying my best to save every single penny now my big trip is so close!
What a great list of things to do!
Think I’ll do the jimjilbang in Yongsan this Friday! Thanks for the tip!
Thanks Alyssa! Let me know how you get on at the jimjilbang on Friday
Hope you enjoy it!
I loved my time in Korea in February, and funnily enough, I found the cold bearable (and I usually don’t). Though not the best time to visit (Spring must be so beautiful there), it is a beautiful time to explore this country
Yes I totally agree with you, spring is a really beautiful time to visit, just before the heat gets unbearable in summer. I think February was my least favourite month though. By that point all the snow is gone and it is a bit grey and miserable. December was a lovely month though – lots of snow and Christmas activities on offer.
Good lineup! ha ha…
Got to do two of those this visit. Went to a winter festival and did Dragon Hill Spa. The festival was ginormous! Tons of activities along w/ trout fishing; Korea always impresses me. Wasn’t too thrilled with Dragon Hill though; it’s overhyped. Most of the spa activities cost money (which are worth it if you’re willing to shell out, which I did) and there’s not enough space to j-bang it on crowded weekend nights. Had to sleep in a small room with the light on the entire night. Boo.
Hey Christine,
That’s a shame you didn’t enjoy Dragon Hill. I went during a week day and it was quite quiet. I got a proper body scrub down for 28,000, but I discovered on a later visit that you can just buy one of the scrubbing mittens for $1 and do it yourself – getting your friends to scrub your back of course, Korean style! I’ve only ever been to one other jimjilbang but I didn’t like it as much. I got stared at a lot because I guess it was one that foreigners never go to, and I tried to sleep there but there was some women with some seriously loud snoring issues! I definitely felt more comfortable at Dragon Hill, and also it has the handy key thing that you can pay for everything with. What were the J-bangs like in Daegu when you were living there?
The trout fishing sounds good. A lot of people have recommended that to me, and I should be going next week as I’m being sponsored by the tour group Adventure Korea. Very exciting! I’m not sure if it includes the ice festival or not but I’ll just have to wait and see. Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip anyway
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Hi there,
Will be heading to Korea 23rd of this mth.
Knowing that Korea is already snowing, will the temperature go below zero?
I lived in Singapore, and hence never experienced any winter season before.
If you have any tips and advises to allow me to prepare for the upcoming family trip, please do email to me.
Thanks and Sorry to Bother.
REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO MY 1st KOREA TRIP THIS 23rd!!!!
Gonna celebrate white christmas after all =)
Sandy
Hi Sandy,
Yes, the temperatures go way below freezing – sometimes as low as -15 or -20, so do be sure to pack some thermal underwear and a decent coat/gloves/scarf etc. If the cold weather gets too much for you go and spend some time in a jimjilbang as it is the warmest place you can be in the winter!
Where are you planning to go during your stay in Korea? I hope you have a great time and keep in touch to let me know how your trip goes!!
I loved South Korea, but I was only there for a very short visit. I’m not big on cold places, but these suggestions look so fun. Now I really want to vist a Jimjilbang.
Jimjilbang’s are my favourite Christy – you absolutely must try it! Do you have any plans to go back to Korea? Where did you go on your last visit?
May i ask what group were those girls or were they just fans?
I’m not sure. I think they were just some girls hired by the Skii resort!
im actually an american born korean, and have only been to korea during the summer…do you think it’s better to go during summer or winter? i’m planning to go this june again but i dont know…. i hate hot weather but winter is so far away…
Hey Jen,
If you hate hot weather then summer might not be the best time to go because as you probably know it gets REALLY humid and quite unpleasant. Spring is a wonderful time to visit though if you want to go soon. April is when the cherry blossoms are out and it is quite sunny, but not excessively hot.
Hope that helps!