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Resorts Give Procrastinators And Die-Hards Last Ski Dates

Most ski slopes located around the metropolitan Seoul area were due to close last weekend. For those who have been meaning to hit the slopes but haven't made it yet, fear not － Yongpyong Resort and Phoenix Park slopes in Kangwon province will stay open until the end of this month.

There is still a lot of snow left over from last week's fall in Kangwon province, and many ski slopes in the province are offering ski and snowboard rental, lodging and lift passes at a discount. There is even limited free accommodation available, so now may be the best time for those on a budget to ski.

Phoenix Park

Phoenix Park, which will close on March 25, is currently offering free lessons in cross-country skiing (known mostly as Nordic skiing in Korea) to seniors aged over 55 who rent equipment. The lessons will be held on a golf course converted for the purpose for four hours a day － two hours between 10 a.m. and noon, and another two hours between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. It costs 20,000 won ($16) to rent the necessary equipment. This includes admission to a sauna and bathhouse.

Guests at Phoenix Park hotel can borrow skis free of charge, and groups of three or more students can get a 50-percent discount on both snowboard rental and snowboarding lessons. Phoenix Park also offers some weekday package programs.

Prices for one night's stay at a condominium, snowboard rental, a half-day lesson and a half-day ski lift pass range between 128,000 and 196,000 won. For more information, call the reservation office at 02-527-9506 (English service available).

Yongpyong Resort

Yongpyong Resort offers a 20-percent discount on ski lift passes and 50 percent off for guests at the Dragon Valley Hotel or members of the resort's condominium until it closes in early April.

The resort's "Snow Package," which has unlimited availability, includes one night's stay at either the hotel or a condominium, a half-day ski lift pass and admission to a sauna. The price ranges from 140,000 won to 200,000 won per night.

There's also a special offer on transport to the resort. Its transportation package, priced at 39,000 won, gets you a 7,000 won discount on the round trip by bus and a day's ski lift pass.

For more information, call the marketing office at 02-2270-6622. To reserve the transportation package, call 2201-7710 (English service available).

by Kim Sae-joon