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[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Seven places to go sledding and skating in Korea if skiing is too extra for you

Published: 06 Jan. 2024, 02:58 Updated: 10 Jan. 2024, 16:31

KIM DONG-EUN
[email protected]

Visitors roll down the snow hill at Ttukseom Hangang Park Sledding Hill in Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul. [YONHAP]

Time, energy and money. Sometimes, we don't have all three of these at the same time. Naturally, some give up on the idea of going skiing or snowboarding because carrying around heavy pieces of ski equipment can be tiring, let alone expensive. Traveling to ski resorts is also a physically and financially burdensome endeavor after New Year's extravagances.

Fortunately, approachable alternatives exist if you are short on time, energy and money to travel long distances to go skiing — sledding and ice skating. The Korea JoongAng Daily has come up with a list of seven locations where you can enjoy them.

Seoul Plaza Ice Skate Rink
서울광장 스케이트장

Visitors skate in the Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink in Jung District, central Seoul. [NEWS1]

Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink in Jung District, central Seoul, is the No. 1 spot you may want to visit if you are looking for a friendly, easily accessible winter sports venue in the capital. You can rent skates and skating equipment for free at the site, and it only costs 1,000 won ($0.77) to use the rink.

The outdoor rink closes when the ultrafine dust levels exceed a certain point for health and safety reasons, and related announcements are made in real time on the rink's official website.

12 Euljiro, Jung District, Seoul
(서울특별시 중구 을지로 12 서울광장 스케이트장)
Open until Feb. 11
Phone number: 02-2133-2680, 02-456-2014

Ttukseom Han River Park Sledding Hill
뚝섬 한강공원 눈썰매장

Ttukseom Han River Park Sledding Hill in Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul runs until Feb. 12. [YONHAP]

The riverside play park has become a snowy wonder for children and adults. The outdoor sledding hill in Ttukseom Han River Park in Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul, is open until Feb. 12, welcoming visitors for an entrance fee of 6,000 won. The venue operates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Apart from the main sledding hill, there are other attractions, such as a mini Viking ride and smelt fishing booths.

The sled zone also operates at Han River parks in Jamwon-dong in southern Seoul and Yeouido in western Seoul.

112 Jayang-dong, Gwangjin District, Seoul
(서울특별시 광진구 자양동 112 뚝섬한강공원 수영장 내)
Operates until Feb. 12
Phone number: 02-452-5955

Everland
에버랜드

Everland Snow Buster in Cheoin District, Gyeonggi, operates until February this year. [SAMSUNG C&T]

If you are brave enough to visit the outdoor amusement park Everland in Yongin, Gyeonggi, during the cold, you will automatically be granted free access to Everland Snow Buster, a three-slope snow sledding park.

The courses, each named Family, Racing and Extreme, will allow you to choose the level of thrill and excitement you want from the ride. There is a snow activity zone next to the slopes, Snow Yard, where you can take a break away from the constant ascent and descent of sledding.

If you buy a one-day pass to Everland, take advantage of this seasonal opportunity. Merry-go-rounds and rollercoasters are available all year round, but mini igloos and sledding slopes are only for those who are willing to embrace the cold.

199 Everland-ro Pogok-eup, Cheoin District, Yongin, Gyeonggi
(경기도 용인시 처인구 포곡읍 에버랜드로 199)
Open until Feb. 2024 (Exact date to be confirmed)
Phone number: 031-320-5000

Seoul Land
서울랜드

Visitors at Seoulland in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi, enjoy sledding down a slope at the theme park. [LIM HYUN-DONG]

Seoul Land's sledding hills offer excitement for those who visit the theme park in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi. There is a separate slope for children who are under 120 centimeters (3.9 feet) tall. A nearby food court where you can find Korean winter street food and a smelt fishing zone await to provide further entertainment for those visiting.

You can use the sleds free of charge but cannot bring your own.

Makgye-dong, Gwacheon, Gyeonggi
(경기도 과천시 막계동)
Operates until March 3
Phone number: 02-509-6000

SLP Children's Center
SLP 어린이회관

SLP Children's Center transforms the outdoor swimming pool area into a sledding zone every winter. [SLP CHILDREN'S CENTER]

Ttukseom Han River Park Sledding Hill is just one of many sledding options in Seoul's Gwangjin District. SLP Children's Center transforms the outdoor swimming pool of Seoul Children's Grand Park into a facility for winter activities during the winter. This year, the SLP Children's Center operates the sled zone until Feb. 29.

The general ticket costs 14,000 won, and you can enjoy smelt fishing by paying an additional fee of 6,000 won. You can make a reservation through the center's official website, or Naver Map.

441 Gwangnaru-ro, Gwangjin District, Seoul
(서울특별시 광진구 광나루로 441)
Operates until Feb. 29
Phone number: 1800-5309

Alps Village
알프스마을

Alps Village in Cheongyang County, South Chungcheong, runs the Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival until Feb. 18 this year. [KIM SUNG-TAE]

Cheongyang County in South Chungcheong celebrates an annual ice fountain festival every winter. Alps Village, named to embrace the beauty of the view that resembles that of the Alps in Europe, is where the festival takes place.

Officially named the Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival, the event started on Jan. 1 and will continue until Feb. 18.

As one of the major events hosted in Cheongyang, the festival features multiple attractions, including grand ice fountains and carved ice installments.

You can enjoy snow sledding, ice bobsleighing and winter treats like roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes. Smelt fishing, making dalgona (Korean melted sugar candy) and other activities are also available.

223-35 Cheonjangho-gil Jeongsan-myeon, Cheongyang County, South Chungcheong
(충청남도 청양군 정산면 천장호길 223-35)
Operates until Feb. 18
Phone number: 041-942-0797

Sanjeong Lake
산정호수

Sanjeong Lake in Pocheon, Gyeonggi, hosts a winter festival with special rides operating on ice. [SANJEONG LAKE VILLAGE COMMITTEE]

Sanjeong Lake in Pocheon, Gyeonggi, becomes a natural ice rink every winter and hosts a sledding and skating festival. The frozen lake introduces unusual activities on ice, like tricycles and rubber duck trains. The festival runs until Feb. 12 and has just resumed its operation this week after an abrupt halt due to an unexpected rise in the temperature.

The Sanjeong Lake Festival is special in that the entire event is organized and carried out by the residents, not by a government organization or a business entity. For a culturally diverse experience with food, rides and scenery, head to Pocheon this winter.

Sanjeonghosu-ro Yeongbuk-myeon, Pocheon, Gyeonggi
(경기도 포천시 영북면 산정호수로)
Operates until Feb. 12
Phone number: 031-532-6135

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BY KIM DONG-EUN [[email protected]]