For frozen fun, try the pull of ice sledding

Winter weather is upon us, which always means trying to find something fun to do. There are many places around Seoul and Gyeonggi province where one can enjoy ice and snow activities, from skating to sledding and tobogganing.

In particular, ice sledding is popular in Korea. It's an activity in which a participant sits on a small, two-blade sleigh and pulls himself across the ice using two sticks.

One place where you can go ice sledding for free opened recently in Dorimcheon, Gwanak district. The site can accommodate more than 300 people, is 120 meters long and has 300 free sleds available. It will be open until the end of February.

Another sledding site is in Bang-hwa Neighborhood Park, Gangseo district, and, although it has yet to open, it will have 100 sleds available for those who like to coast along the ice. Seongnam city also has a sledding area near Baekgung Station, on the Bundang train line, which will operate through the winter.

The sledding site in Gwoseon district in Suwon is located in the Suwon stream area and is approximately 150 meters long. The site will be in operation until the last day of February. The area has 200 sleds, as well as a variety of tops, hoops, Korean-style kicking shuttlecocks and other toys available for free. A nearby market sells noodles and snacks.

A sled site near Yangpyeong bridge in Yangpyeong will be open until the middle of February. From this site, it would be convenient to visit Mount Yongmun or the Han riverside if you are looking for a whole day of events. You can also enjoy spinning tops or flying kites.

There are also many places where you can enjoy ice-skating. Goyang city in Ilsan will be offering a vast and free ice-skating area at Ilsan Lake Park. If you are a skating novice, do not worry about it. You can take skating lessons for 6,000 won ($4.50) an hour. At this park, however, you have to pay to rent sleds (1,000 won) and skates (2,000 won). Traditional tops are also available for 1,000 won.

Incheon is also participating in the winter fun by offering 150 old-fashioned sleds from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Incheon Grand Park until Feb. 13.

There will also be skating, but for safety's sake, only if the ice is at least 10 centimeters thick. To get to the park, take subway line No. 1 to Songnae Station, then take either bus No. 16 or 103. hyunsun@joongang.co.kr

For further information contact 032-440-6532

by Park Hyun-sun