Yongpyong Resort Guide: Expert Terrain, Lift Tickets, Rentals and Travel Tips

It’s one of the most common questions I get. While there are a few strong contenders, my answer usually comes down to two: High 1 and Yongpyong Resort.

If you’re after Korea’s steepest runs, Olympic legacy slopes, and a layout that feels more like a Western resort, Yongpyong is my top pick.

Locals and expats (myself included) still call it Yongpyong, but the official name these days is Mona Yongpyong Resort. Name aside, this is South Korea’s largest and best-known ski area, and it hosted the alpine events during the 2018 Winter Olympics.

I’ve been skiing since I could walk. I grew up in Vail, Colorado, and I’ve lived in Korea since 2007. After more than 15 seasons here, I can confidently say the Rainbow and Gold Zones at Yongpyong offer some of the most exciting terrain in the country for advanced skiers. That said, there’s plenty for beginners and families as well.

Whether you’re planning a ski trip to Korea or just looking for a weekend getaway, this guide covers everything you need: how to get there, where to stay, discounted lift tickets, and which zones to ride.

👉 Comparing resorts? Check out my full High 1 Resort guide. It’s a strong runner-up, but Yongpyong still takes the crown when it comes to expert terrain.

🆕 Updated for the 2025/26 Season:
This guide is based on my firsthand experience skiing Yongpyong over the past 15+ seasons, including my most recent visit in January 2025.

Key details like lodging, transportation, rentals, and lift tickets have been refreshed for the upcoming 2025/26 ski season, as much as possible at the time of writing. I’ll continue checking for official pricing and update this guide as new info becomes available.

Yongpyong Resort, officially known as Mona Yongpyong Resort, sits in Gangwon-do, a mountainous province in northeastern South Korea. The closest major city is Pyeongchang, home to the 2018 Winter Olympics, and the gateway to Korea’s most well-known ski slopes.

Gangwon Province (or Gangwon-do) is South Korea’s top destination for skiing and snowboarding. With its rugged terrain, colder climate, and relatively high elevation, it sees more snow than anywhere else in the country, though it won’t rival Colorado or Hokkaido anytime soon.

As a Colorado native, I still appreciate Gangwon’s charm. The region doesn’t just offer winter sports, it’s also a year-round haven for trekking, camping, and scenic road trips.

📍 Related: Year-Round Trekking and Camping in Daegwallyeong

Pyeongchang is a small city just a short drive from Yongpyong Resort. It hosted much of the 2018 Winter Olympics and still carries that legacy with its upgraded infrastructure, sports venues, and hotels.

The town itself is peaceful, low-key and a nice place to unwind after a day on the slopes. You’ll find a mix of hotels, cafés, local restaurants, and a few cultural spots. It’s not a nightlife hub, but that’s part of the appeal.

If you’re driving from Pyeongchang to Yongpyong, the ride takes about 30 minutes on well-maintained roads. You’ll also pass a long row of independent rental shops along the way and some of them offer better gear and discounted lift tickets compared to what’s available at the resort. (I’ll cover those later in the gear rental section.)

Getting to Yongpyong Resort is relatively straightforward, whether you’re traveling by car, train, shuttle, or bus. The resort is located in Gangwon Province, near the town of Pyeongchang, and is well-connected to Seoul and Incheon International Airport.

Depending on your budget and travel style, here are the best ways to get there.

Renting a car gives you the most flexibility, especially if you’re hauling ski gear, traveling with pets or kids, or planning to explore multiple resorts. Korea’s expressways are modern and easy to navigate, with English signage and reliable GPS via KakaoMap or Naver Map.

Most drivers from Seoul will follow this general route:

Gyeongbu Expressway (Highway 1) → Yeongdong Expressway (Highway 7) → Highway 4 East toward Jinbu and Daegwallyeong.

Estimated Drive Times:

• From Seoul: 2.5 to 3 hours
• From Daegu: Around 3.5 to 4 hours
• From Busan: Around 4.5 to 5 hours

📍 Navigation:
English: 715 Olympic-ro, Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
Korean: 평창군 대관령면 올림픽로 715

🛣️ Related: Foreigner’s Guide to Driving in Korea

The KTX bullet train is one of the fastest and most comfortable ways to get to Yongpyong Resort. From Seoul Station, you’ll head to Jinbu Station, which is the nearest KTX stop to the resort.

• Travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes
• Station: Jinbu Station (진부역) — not Pyeongchang Station
• Shuttle: Yongpyong offers a free shuttle bus for resort guests from Jinbu Station. It currently runs twice daily at approximately 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., but times may vary seasonally. Be sure to check or confirm in advance.

🎟️ You can book KTX tickets directly through Klook. It’s easier than navigating the Korail site in Korean, and you’ll have your reservation confirmed ahead of time.

If you’re not driving or taking the train, intercity buses and private shuttles are another solid option.

• Intercity Buses run from Dong Seoul Terminal or Express Bus Terminal in Seoul to Hoenggye or Jinbu, with onward transfers by local taxi or bus to Yongpyong.
• Airport Shuttle: From Incheon International Airport, the Purple Ski Bus (operated by Grace Travel) offers direct service to Yongpyong in around 3 hours.
• Seoul Shuttle: During winter season, Yongpyong operates dedicated shuttle buses from Seoul. Advance booking is usually required.

If you prefer not to plan every leg of the trip yourself, package tours are a great option. I relied on them often before I had a car, and they’re especially helpful for beginners, families, or international visitors who want a stress-free experience.

You can find a variety of Yongpyong ski packages on Klook, including:

• 🎟️ Lift Ticket + Shuttle Bus from Seoul
• 🎿 Ski Gear Rental + Lift Pass Package
• 🛏️ 2D1N, 3D2N, or 4D3N Room & Ski Packages

Most depart from central Seoul, and the instructions are typically available in English.

• Book early during peak season (late December to mid-February), especially around holidays.
• Weekday travel tends to be smoother, with less traffic and more shuttle availability.
• Shuttle times and resort buses can vary, so it’s always a good idea to confirm times a few days before your trip.

Yongpyong hasn’t released the official ticket prices for the 2025/26 season yet, but here’s what was listed for 2024/25. These rates give a solid idea of what to expect, especially early in the season when updates tend to be delayed.

Ticket Type	Hours	Adult (14+)	Child (≤13)
Daytime	09:00–17:00	₩95,000	₩77,000
Morning or Afternoon	09:00–13:00 / 13:00–17:00	₩67,000	₩55,000
Afternoon + Night	13:00–23:00 (Break 17:00–19:00)	₩95,000	₩77,000
Night	19:00–23:00	₩67,000	₩55,000
One-Time Pass	Single ride (lift/gondola)	₩17,000	₩14,000

Note: These are 2024/25 prices. The resort hasn’t posted final rates for 2025/26 yet.

• Day skiing: 09:00–17:00
• Night skiing: 19:00–23:00
• Afternoon + Night: 13:00–23:00
• Note: There’s typically a 2-hour break from 17:00–19:00 for grooming, restaffing, and maintenance.

Night skiing at Yongpyong typically runs until 11:00 p.m., with the full Afternoon + Night pass covering 1:00 to 11:00 p.m. (with a break between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m.).

While I usually prefer day sessions for visibility and snow quality, night skiing is a huge part of ski culture in Korea. Resorts stay open late, and the vibe under the lights is definitely something worth experiencing at least once.

🎥 The GoPro video below was filmed at High 1 Resort, but it gives you a good sense of what night skiing in Korea looks and feels like: bright lights, wide-open groomers, and a surprisingly energetic crowd for how late it gets.

• One-time gondola passes are great for scenic riders or non-skiers.
• Combo passes and online packages often skip the ticket lines and offer 20–25% discounts.
• Keep an eye out for gear rental + lift ticket bundles, especially on Klook or the resort’s site.
• Discounts rarely apply to one-time passes or peak-season weekends.

Yongpyong Resort is the largest ski area in South Korea, with a layout that spreads across four main zones and 14 lifts. It offers a nice variety of runs for beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers, though it’s best known for its Olympic-caliber steeps in the Rainbow Zone.

The vertical drop is around 740 meters (2,427 feet), with a summit elevation just under 1,500 meters. That’s fairly high for Korea and helps keep the snow in better condition longer into the season.

The mountain is split into four main ski zones, each served by its own base lodge and lift network:

• 🔴 Red Zone: Beginner-friendly and centrally located
• ⚪ Silver Zone: Terrain park, magic carpets, and ski school areas
• 🟡 Gold Zone: Intermediate to advanced carving runs
• 🟣 Rainbow Zone: Upper mountain expert terrain

A handful of connector trails and gondolas link the zones together, but the terrain layout makes it feel more like several mini resorts joined together, especially once you move beyond the lower slopes.

• Summit elevation: 1,458 m (4,784 ft)
• Base elevation: 715 m (2,346 ft)
• Vertical drop: ~740 m (2,427 ft)
• Longest run: Rainbow Paradise (5.6 km / 3.5 miles)
• Total lifts: 14 (including gondolas and carpets)
• Total runs: 28 slopes

The Rainbow Gondola is one of Yongpyong’s main lifts, running from Dragon Plaza all the way up to the Rainbow Zone. It’s open to both skiers and non-skiers, and on clear days, it’s worth the ride for the views alone.

At the top, you’ll find sweeping views of the Taebaek Mountains, a small café, and access to Korea’s longest ski run (Rainbow Paradise). You can also ride the gondola back down if you’re not skiing from the summit.

If you’re visiting without ski gear, or just want to enjoy the mountain scenery, consider the Yongpyong Resort Balwangsan Cable Car & Skywalk Ticket. It includes a round-trip gondola ride and access to the upper-mountain skywalk near the summit. It’s a great option for families, non-skiers, or anyone visiting for the views.

📝 The gondola runs year-round, weather permitting, and is popular with hikers and tourists even outside of winter.

If it’s your first time skiing here, it helps to think of Yongpyong as four mini-resorts. Each zone has its own vibe, terrain type, and lift access. Here’s a breakdown of each one, including which ones I actually ski, and which you might want to skip.

This is where I spend most of my time at Yongpyong. The Rainbow Zone sits at the top of the mountain and is home to the steepest runs and most legit expert terrain in the country. It’s also where the Olympic GS and slalom events were held during the 2018 Winter Games.

• Rainbow 1 and 2: Long, fast groomers with solid pitch
• Rainbow Paradise: A winding 5.6 km cruiser that’s fun on fresh corduroy

• This zone is usually quiet, especially on weekdays
• You can lap it quickly if you park up top and avoid the lower zones entirely
• Best accessed via the Rainbow Gondola or Rainbow Chairlift

• There’s a small parking lot just up the road from the main Dragon Plaza area, near the Rainbow Zone base station. While Dragon Plaza can be crowded and chaotic, the Rainbow lot is usually mellow. It’s a great place to get booted and suited, just steps from the lifts.

This is my go-to spot when I ski Yongpyong.

The Gold Zone sits just below Rainbow and has a solid mix of intermediate to advanced runs. It’s a favorite among local carvers and snowboarders who like wide, fast slopes.

• Gold Valley: Good pitch, often has the best snow on the lower half
• Mega Green: A long beginner-to-intermediate trail that connects zones

• There’s a small base with restrooms and a cafeteria, but the options are limited compared to Dragon Plaza

This is the busiest and most crowded zone, especially on weekends. It’s also where the main base area (Dragon Plaza) is located, along with ski rentals, restaurants, and the bulk of the ski school activity.

• First-timers, families, or those staying in on-site condos
• Skiers using the gondola for sightseeing or access to Gold

• Quick access to lessons, rental shops, and cafés
• Closest to accommodation

• Extremely crowded during peak weekends and holidays
• Not ideal for fast laps or advanced riders

The Silver Zone is tucked off to one side of the resort and is best suited for true beginners or kids. It also hosts the terrain park, although depending on the season, that can be hit-or-miss in terms of features and maintenance.

• Magic carpets and gentle inclines
• Terrain park with rails, kickers, and small jumps
• Ski school staging area

• Some of the flatter areas here are good for walking dogs, especially in early morning or post-close hours. Just be mindful of signs and staff direction.

Yongpyong Resort offers a wide range of accommodations, from luxury hotels at the base of the slopes to cozy pensions and budget-friendly options in nearby Pyeongchang. Whether you’re looking for convenience, comfort, or affordability, you’ll find plenty of options to suit your needs.

When booking hotels in South Korea, I typically find the best deals on Agoda. However, I recommend comparing options on Booking.com to ensure you’re getting the best value.

Use “Pyeongchang-gun” as your search term for the most comprehensive results. The above links will take you straight there and using them helps support this blog at no extra cost to you.

Since my wife and I always travel with our border collie, Winnie, finding dog-friendly lodging is essential for our South Korean ski trips. Fortunately, there are a few great options for pet owners near Yongpyong Resort.

The Ramada Hotel & Suites Gangwon Pyeongchang is one of the few dog-friendly accommodations in the area, welcoming dogs of all sizes—including our border collie, Winnie.

For travelers without pets, rest assured—dogs are allowed only on one floor in a designated wing, so you probably won’t even notice the hotel is pet-friendly. The Ramada is also a popular choice for large groups, athletes, and international tourists.

Its location next to the picturesque Pure Sheep Ranch adds an extra layer of charm, offering scenic views, trekking paths, and even opportunities to feed lambs and llamas. After a morning coffee at the ranch’s café, my wife often takes Winnie on the trails while I catch up on American football in our room.

Even if you’re not interested in llama feeding, the café is worth a visit. Its large windows frame breathtaking views of the mountainous valley, making it the perfect spot to relax and enjoy your morning.

Mona Yongpyong Resort/Hotel: The ultimate choice for skiers and snowboarders, offering direct slope access, spacious rooms, excellent facilities, dining options, and a sauna. Perfect for those who want to stay close to the action.

Kensington Hotel Pyeongchang: A midrange option with cozy accommodations, modern amenities, and an inviting atmosphere. Located just a short drive from Yongpyong Resort, it’s ideal for travelers seeking comfort without the luxury price tag.

Pensions: The Pyeongchang Riverhill Pension & Daegwallyeong Beautiful Pension are budget-friendly options that offer a laid-back, homely vibes with scenic surroundings. They’re perfect for a peaceful retreat after a day on the slopes.

If you’re traveling as a group, want kitchen access, or just prefer more space, VRBO has a growing list of family-friendly houses and pensions in the Pyeongchang and Yongpyong area.

👉 Explore private rentals near Yongpyong on VRBO

You’ll often find better value than resort hotels and more flexibility with dog-friendly units.

I sometimes joke that there’s a “Korean side of the Internet” that I’m not really privy to, but if you or a Korean friend can access Naver, that seems to be where the best deals are found.

On my most recent trip in January 2025, I had my wife (who was overseas at the time) purchase an afternoon lift ticket for me through Naver. The ticket allowed me to ski from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

She sent me a screenshot of a barcode, which was easily scanned at the Dragon Plaza ticket office in exchange for my lift ticket. Despite being listed at ₩65,000 above, this ticket cost just ₩43,000.

To quote Homer Simpson, “Don’t ask me how the economy works Marge.”

Additionally, in the section on Pyeongchang rental shops, I mention how I’ve also purchased discounted Yongpyong lift tickets from rental shops along the road leading to the resort. These shops often sell lift tickets at reduced prices, making them a great option for finding better deals.

@coloradosaram

Making a few turns on the lower section of the Rainbow Zone at Mona Yongpyong Resort. #skikorea#coloradosaram

♬ We All Move On – The Samples

Most of this guide is based on my personal experiences and research from 2024, but here’s a GoPro video I shot during my most recent visit in January 2025. While the resort hadn’t received as much snow as it had this time last year and the air quality wasn’t ideal, the Rainbow Zone still delivered with its uncrowded, advanced runs.

At Yongpyong Resort, I prefer to park and ski mostly in the Rainbow Zone, the site of the 2018 Winter Olympic GS ski racing events. This top-to-bottom GoPro run shows the race route and the resort’s expert-level terrain.

Honestly, on this day, I didn’t even bother with the other parts of the mountain. With only three hours to ski, this was where I wanted to spend my time.

If a friend from Colorado were visiting South Korea and we only had time to hit one ski resort, Yongpyong Resort would be my pick.

It offers the best expert terrain I’ve found in the country, especially in the Rainbow Zone, with the Gold Zone providing additional advanced runs. Beyond the slopes, Yongpyong has a resort feel that reminds me more of the ski areas I grew up racing at. The Dragon Plaza base area has that classic Western ski resort vibe, while the Rainbow base area feels like the kind of race training zones I spent my childhood on.

High 1 Resort comes in as a close second—it may be a better choice for the all-around ski experience, with more options to move around the mountain and enjoy a mix of intermediate and advanced terrain.

However, Yongpyong gets the nod for pure skiing. The layout makes it feel more like a destination resort, and its location near Pyeongchang makes it easier to access with fewer winding mountain roads.

If you’re debating between the two, I break it all down in my full High 1 Resort guide, where I compare its terrain, accessibility, and overall experience to other ski areas in Korea.

If you’re traveling with a dog, High 1 is the better bet since you can stay right on the mountain at the ski-in/ski-out Hill Condo. At Yongpyong, you’ll likely need to stay at the Ramada in Pyeongchang and drive to the slopes each day.

That said, if you’re looking for the best expert skiing in Korea, Yongpyong Resort is the place to go.

First off, what exactly is a Colorado Saram? It’s Korean for “a Coloradan” or “the Coloradan,” depending on the context—and it’s also the name of this travel blog, where you’ve found yourself.

I chose the name because I’m a Colorado native, raised in the mountain town of Vail, where my passion for skiing and outdoor adventure was born. These days, I call South Korea home, where I’ve lived since 2007, working as an English teacher and exploring Asia’s landscapes, ski slopes, and hiking trails.

This website is my way of sharing the experiences of a Colorado outdoor enthusiast, with a focus on skiing, trekking, and adventure travel across South Korea, Asia, and beyond.

In Vail, I used to eagerly await the moment when the ropes dropped, granting access to the untouched Back Bowls.

Here on my blog, I aim to “drop the ropes” on international adventures, helping you make the most of your time in this beautiful part of the world—whether you’re hitting the slopes or venturing into the great outdoors.

If you have questions, I invite you to join my free Facebook group—a community for like-minded adventurers to share tips on skiing, snowboarding, and trekking across Asia & Oceania. I’m always happy to help and answer any questions there!

You can also reach me directly at john@coloradosaram.com if you prefer email.

This winter, I’m heading back to Hokkaido, Japan, so if you’re interested in updates on Asia’s powder mecca, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter!

I returned to Yongpyong in the summer with my wife and dog to explore what the resort and surrounding Gangwon Province have to offer outside of ski season. If you’re curious about what it’s like to visit in summer, check out my full guide to Yongpyong Resort in summer for everything you need to know.

If you enjoy the content on this site and feel like a kindred spirit, check out the Colorado Saram Store, where I sell hats, hoodies, t-shirts, and more. I design gear that reflects the adventurous, free-spirited essence of Colorado and the outdoor lifestyle.

Everything is print-on-demand, meaning I’ve partnered with Printful, a trusted fulfillment company that prints and ships each item directly to you. This ensures high-quality prints, fast delivery, and no excess waste—so you get great gear while supporting sustainable production.