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Everything you need to know and how to join in
January 13, 2009
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The 27th Yongpyong International Ski Festival slated for Feb. 6-8 will be a great chance for expatriates and their families to participate in a weekend of skiing in Korea. Yongpyong Resort’s annual winter festival is a popular getaway for foreigners in Korea, drawing up to 900 participants yearly from around 17 different countries. The three-day festival kicks off with an opening ceremony on the evening of Feb. 6, a giant slalom ski event and snowboard races, followed by an awards ceremony and banquet on Day 2 and a full day’s skiing on Day 3. It’s a good opportunity for expats in Korea to experience the spirit of winter to its fullest and have fun together.
Since then, it has grown into a mecca for local skiers, offering the largest ski and snowboarding facilities in the country as well as the most number of slopes over 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level. The resort has hosted a number of notable ski events, including the Alpine Ski World Cup and the Winter Asian Games. It attracts tourists from Korea’s neighboring countries as well. The hit Korean TV drama “Winter Sonata,” one of the initiators of hallyu, or the Korean Wave, was shot at this resort. A special committee helps the Resort in organizing the Yongpyong International Ski Festival.
It has so far been chaired by various foreign ambassadors in Korea, including former Norwegian Ambassador Nils Axel Nissen from 1983 to 1986, former French Ambassador Gean-Bernard Ouvrieu in 1987, former Austrian Ambassador Felix Mikl from 1990 to 1993, former Irish Ambassador Brendan Moran from 1996 to 1999, Swiss Ambassador Christian Hauswirth from 2006 to 2007 and most recently, Norwegian Ambassador Didrik Tonseth from 2008 to 2009. To register for the ski race, you have to download an application form from the Web site (www.yongpyong.co.kr/eng) and submit it via e-mail (skiweekend@yongpyong.co.kr) or fax (02-3270-1234) to Yongpyong Resort’s Seoul office no later than Jan. 21. On receipt of the application, the organizer will send you a confirmation code, which will be posted on the Yongpyong Resort’s Web site from Jan. 24 to Feb. 4. Participants should bring the confirmation code to the opening reception scheduled for 9 p.m. on Feb. 6, Day 1 of the festival. Organizers will dish out numbered racing bibs for the ski and snowboard races at this event. As for room reservations, Yongpyong Resort’s Seoul office is currently accepting reservations for hotel rooms and condominiums via phone and e-mail. If you wish to make reservations, hurry since rooms are limited and bookings will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations can be made by contacting Sean Song on (02) 3270-1230/1235 or by e-mailing skiweekend@yongpyong.co.kr. All participants in the Yongpyong International Ski Festival are given a 30 percent discount on accommodations. The discounted rates will be applied as follows: 175,000 won ($131) for a standard room and 189,000 won for a deluxe room at Dragon Valley Hotel, which is located at the center of the Yongpyong Resort; 168,000 won for a room at Tower Condominium that prides itself on the scenery of the nearby Mount Balwang landscape; and 231,000 won for a room at Villa Condominium, which is popular with skiers because it’s closest to the slopes.
Discount coupons for lift tickets and ski/snowboard equipment rental will provide savings of 30 percent off normal rates and will be available at the reception on Day 1 at the Nunmaul Banquet Hall in the fitness center complex on the first floor of the Tower Condominium. On Day 2, the giant slalom races for both alpine skiing and snowboarding will take place separately. The alpine ski race will be held by age groups: “children” aged 8 and under, “juniors” aged 9-13, “teens” aged 14-17, “adults I” aged 18-34, “adults II” aged 35-45 and “adults III” aged 46 and over. Each group will be divided into female and male groups. The snowboard race will be held in two groups of men and women. Neither group is limited by age. The races will be followed by an award ceremony and banquet at 7 p.m. at Nunmaul Hall. Banquet tickets should be purchased in advance at reception the previous day. The tickets cost 35,000 won for adults and 28,000 won for children under the age of 12. There’s no charge for children under 4. Participants in the banquet should note they are expected to decorate their tables to express themselves. Prizes will be handed out to the best decorated table on the night. The banquet of the Yongpyong International Ski Festival usually attracts around 500 people annually with the event featuring decorated tables representing different nationalities. There are various ways to get to Yongpyong Resort. People who wish to take advantage of express bus services should call Daewon Express Tour at (02) 575-7710 for bus schedules and fare information. For those who will drive themselves, a map is provided here for reference. A typical car journey from Seoul to Yongpyong Resort takes about two and a half hours. By Park Sun-young Staff Reporter [spark0320@joongang.co.kr] |
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