Korea Winter Travel Guide
Korea Winter Travel Guide: Snow, Palaces and Ski Slopes
Outside the year-end holidays and the Lunar New Year, winter is one of the quieter times to visit Korea. You trade warm-weather comfort for thinner crowds and a different look at palaces and mountains under snow.
Is winter a good time to visit Korea?
Winter suits travelers who would take thinner crowds over warm weather. Seoul’s palaces look different under snow, the ski resorts in Gyeonggi and Gangwon run from about December to March, and the ice-fishing and lantern festivals fall in December and January. The catch is real cold: Seoul’s January average is about -2°C.
What Korean Winter Weather Involves
Winter runs roughly December through February, with temperatures commonly dropping below freezing, particularly overnight, and colder in inland and mountain areas than in coastal cities like Busan. Snow is more consistent inland and in the mountains than in Seoul itself, though the capital does see snowfall through the season.
Dry, cold air is typical. In Seoul, January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of about -2°C, average lows near -6°C and average highs around 2°C (the 1991 to 2020 normals). Cold waves from the continent push temperatures much lower for a few days at a time, and wind makes the river parks and open palace courtyards feel colder than the forecast number.
Things to Do in Korea in Winter
The winter list is shorter than summer’s, but several things only happen when it is cold. Ten that work on a first winter trip:
- Ski or snowboard for a day at a resort about an hour from Seoul, such as Konjiam or Elysian Gangchon, or further east in Pyeongchang; the resorts are covered below.
- Go ice fishing at the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival or the Pyeongchang Trout Festival, both usually held in January.
- Walk a palace after snow. Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung are at their quietest on a weekday morning in January.
- See the Seoul Lantern Festival along Cheonggyecheon, which in recent winters has run from mid-December into January, lit in the evening and free.
- Spend an evening in a jjimjilbang. A Korean sauna is the most comfortable way to thaw out; our jjimjilbang guide explains the routine.
- Hike above the snow line on Jeju. Hallasan’s upper trails hold snow through winter; the summit routes need a reservation and crampons, and the entry cut-off times change with the season. See hiking in Korea.
- Eat winter street food. Hotteok (syrup-filled pancakes), bungeoppang (fish-shaped buns with red bean) and roasted sweet potatoes appear on street stalls once it turns cold. The Korean food guide covers the rest.
- Go to the Taebaeksan Snow Festival in the mountain city of Taebaek for snow sculptures, usually from late January into early February.
- Spend a cold afternoon in a museum. The permanent galleries at the National Museum of Korea and the National Palace Museum next to Gyeongbokgung are free.
- Catch Seollal, the Lunar New Year, when the palaces waive admission and hold holiday events; the holiday notes further down explain what else changes.
Festival dates depend on the ice and snow, so check the organizer’s site in the week before you go; mild winters have pushed opening days back.
Seoul’s Palaces in Winter
Palace grounds, including Gyeongbokgung, look markedly different under snow than during the busier spring and autumn seasons, and winter’s smaller crowds mean a quieter, slower walk through the courtyards. See our Seoul guide for the palace and neighborhood details that apply year-round.
Winter hours are shorter. From November to February, Gyeongbokgung is open 09:00 to 17:00 with last entry at 16:00, an hour earlier than in spring and autumn, and it is closed on Tuesdays. The sun sets before 18:00 through December and January, so a visit started after 15:00 runs out of light and time together. The Secret Garden at Changdeokgung is seen on timed tours, so book a slot before making the trip for it.
Skiing and the Resorts Near Seoul
The ski season usually runs from early December to early or mid-March, depending on temperatures and snowmaking, and the higher Gangwon resorts stay open longest. The resorts closest to Seoul are about an hour away, so a day trip is realistic.
Konjiam Resort (Gwangju, Gyeonggi)
The largest ski area in the Seoul metropolitan region and the shortest trip from the southern half of the city.
Elysian Gangchon (Chuncheon, Gangwon)
Around an hour from Seoul and reachable by Seoul-area train, with gentle slopes that suit beginners and intermediate skiers.
Vivaldi Park (Hongcheon, Gangwon)
About an hour and a half from Seoul and one of the busiest resorts in the country, with a wide mix of slopes.
Yongpyong and Phoenix (Pyeongchang, Gangwon)
Further east and higher. Yongpyong held the slalom and giant slalom races at the 2018 Winter Olympics and Phoenix the snowboard and freestyle events; both run as ordinary resorts today.
Day-trip packages from Seoul bundle a shuttle bus, lift ticket and rental into one booking, which saves sorting out equipment at a Korean-language counter.
Winter Festivals
Winter festivals
Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
Ice fishing for sancheoneo (mountain trout) on the frozen Hwacheon Stream in Gangwon Province, usually running for about three weeks from early or mid-January. The 2026 edition ran from 10 January to 1 February.
Taebaeksan Snow Festival
Snow sculptures and snow play in Taebaek, at the foot of Taebaeksan in Gangwon. The 2026 edition ran from 31 January to 8 February.
Seoul Lantern Festival
Hanji paper and LED lanterns along Cheonggyecheon Stream in central Seoul, free and lit from early evening. The 2025 to 2026 edition opened on 12 December and was extended to 18 January after record crowds.
Pyeongchang Trout Festival and other ice festivals
Pyeongchang runs a similar ice-fishing festival in January. In 2026 it opened late, on 9 January, because the ice was not ready, which is typical of how these events move with the weather.
Organizers set new dates every winter and delay or shorten ice festivals when rivers do not freeze thick enough, so treat the dates above as a guide to timing and check the official page close to your trip.
Crowds, Prices and the Lunar New Year
Outside the Christmas and New Year week and the Lunar New Year holiday, winter is a quieter season for international visitors, with shorter lines at the main sights and more hotel choice in Seoul and Busan. The ski areas are the exception and price their lodging for peak season.
Seollal, the Lunar New Year, is the date to plan around. It falls in late January or February; in 2027 the holiday runs from 6 to 9 February, with Seollal itself on the 7th. Millions travel to their hometowns, so trains and intercity buses sell out early, and many small restaurants and market stalls close for a day or more. The palaces, Jongmyo Shrine and the Joseon royal tombs stay open over the holiday and have waived admission over the holiday in recent years.
Packing and Practical Winter Tips
- Layered clothing with a proper winter coat, since indoor heating is strong but outdoor temperatures can be well below freezing.
- Good, non-slip footwear, particularly if visiting mountain or snow-affected areas.
- Hand and foot warmers, widely available locally, are commonly used for extended outdoor time.
- Checking heating arrangements at accommodation, since ondol (underfloor heating) is standard in many traditional-style stays but worth confirming in advance.
None of this requires specialized gear beyond what you’d pack for any cold-climate winter trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How cold does it get in Seoul during winter?
January is the coldest month. Seoul averages about -2°C, with typical lows near -6°C, and cold waves go well below that for a few days at a time. Pack a proper winter coat and layers.
Is it worth visiting Korea in winter if I don’t ski?
Yes, palaces under snow, winter festivals, and smaller crowds at major sites are all reasons to visit even without a ski trip planned.
How far are the ski resorts from Seoul?
The closest, such as Konjiam and Elysian Gangchon, are about an hour from Seoul and Vivaldi Park about an hour and a half; the Pyeongchang resorts take longer. Day-trip packages that bundle a shuttle, lift ticket and rental are common.
Does Seoul get much snow?
Seoul sees snowfall through winter, though generally less consistently than inland and mountain regions; amounts vary from year to year.
Are hotel prices lower in winter?
Often, outside the Christmas and New Year week and the Lunar New Year holiday. Lodging near the ski resorts is the exception.
Overview of Winter Travel in Korea
Korean winter trades warm-weather comfort for thinner crowds and a different look at sites like Seoul’s palaces under snow, alongside skiing in Gangwon Province and seasonal winter festivals.
Winter runs roughly December through February, with temperatures commonly below freezing overnight.
Palace grounds in Seoul take on a distinct character under snow, with smaller winter crowds.
Ski resorts from Gyeonggi to Gangwon, including the 2018 Olympic venues in Pyeongchang, run from about December to March.
Winter festivals, including ice fishing and snow sculpture events, offer seasonal draws beyond skiing.
Outside the year-end and Lunar New Year holidays, winter brings thinner crowds at the main sights.
- Best Time to Visit Korea
- Hiking in Korea: Best Spots
- Korea Travel Itinerary: 7 Days
Sources
- Gyeongbokgung Palace, VisitKorea (Korea Tourism Organization)
Winter hours of 09:00 to 17:00 with last entry at 16:00 from November to February, and the Tuesday closure.
- Guide to Korea’s 2025 to 2026 winter festivals, VisitKorea
The tourism board’s round-up of the season’s ice, snow and light festivals.
- 12 ski resorts for a winter in Korea, VisitKorea
Resort locations and access from Seoul.
- Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival (official)
Dates, fishing programs and tickets for the current winter.
- Free admission and events over Seollal, VisitKorea
Free entry to the palaces, Jongmyo Shrine and the royal tombs over the Lunar New Year holiday.
- Visit Seoul, Seoul Metropolitan Government (official, English)
The city’s own visitor site. Transport, attraction hours and current notices for Seoul.
Links checked 26 September 2026. Festival dates are set each winter and palace hours change by season, so confirm on the official page before you travel.
What This Page Does Not Cover
This guide draws on the national tourism board, the palace administration and festival organizers, listed above. It does not list every resort or festival, and it cannot account for weather closures, your budget or your mobility on the day.
Last checked: September 2026. Past festival dates are given as a guide to timing only.
For how winter compares with the other seasons, see the best time to visit Korea, and for a year-round list, things to do in Korea.
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