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Pyeongchang · Area guide

Yongpyong & Balwangsan

용평·발왕산

Ski where the 2018 slalom was raced, then ride the cable car up Balwangsan.

Forested ridges seen from the top of Balwangsan, Pyeongchang
Forested ridges seen from the top of Balwangsan, Pyeongchang. Photo: Sadopaul · CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo credits

The short answer

Stay at Yongpyong to ski. The IOC calls the Yongpyong Alpine Centre the largest ski and snowboard resort in the Republic of Korea, with 28 runs and what it describes as the longest gondola course in Asia, at 7.4 km. KTO says the resort sits at the centre of the Baekdudaegan mountain range and averages 250 cm of snow a season, and calls Mona YongPyong a mecca for skiing in Korea. At PyeongChang 2018 it was the alpine technical venue: CONI's venue page lists the men's and women's giant slalom and slalom, and the resort's own site describes the same Olympic course.

Off the slopes, the Balwangsan Cable Car runs to the top of Balwangsan, 1,458 m above sea level by KTO's figure. KTO lists night skiing until 22:00, with a later session to 23:30, which makes a room at the resort the way to get the most from the snow. KTX travellers come in through Jinbu Station, where the resort's shuttle for its guests takes 20 minutes.

Best for

  • Skiers and snowboarders
  • Night skiing
  • Mountain views from Balwangsan without a climb
  • Skiing where the 2018 slalom was raced
  • Golf and a water park in summer

Think twice if

  • KTX travellers without a resort booking: the Jinbu shuttle is for guests only
  • Temples and Odaesan's fir forest
  • The Olympic ski jump and sliding centre, which are at Alpensia

Getting here

Stations and lines
StationLines
Jinbu StationKTX Gyeonggang Line from Seoul Station and Cheongnyangni (korea.net, 2017); Yongpyong guest shuttle, 20 min, from Jinbu at 11:00 and 15:00 (schedule from March 2024)
Shuttle buses from SeoulFrom Seoul and the greater metropolitan area to Mona YongPyong (KTO, December 2025)
Daegwallyeong InterchangeThe expressway exit for drivers; Yongpyong puts the resort about 200 km and two and a half hours from Seoul

From Seoul by KTX

Take the KTX on the Gyeonggang Line from Seoul Station or Cheongnyangni, the stations korea.net's 2017 announcement lists, to Jinbu Station. Yongpyong runs a shuttle for its guests, 20 minutes each way: from Jinbu at 11:00 and 15:00, and from the resort at 12:00 and 16:00, on the schedule from 1 March 2024. Only Yongpyong Resort guests can board, on showing a reservation or membership card, so book your room at the resort.

From Seoul by road

Yongpyong's own site puts the resort about 200 km and two and a half hours' drive from Seoul: take the expressway towards Gangneung, leave at the Daegwallyeong Interchange and follow the signs. Without a car, KTO's December 2025 winter article says shuttle buses run to Mona YongPyong from Seoul and the greater metropolitan area.

From Incheon Airport

By road, the IOC says a 22 km expressway link brought the drive from Incheon International Airport to PyeongChang and Gangneung down to around 95 minutes. By rail, go into Seoul and take the KTX from Seoul Station to Jinbu Station, then the resort's guest shuttle at 11:00 or 15:00.

On your doorstep

  • Yongpyong ski slopes 28 slopes and 14 lifts on the resort's own count, including what KTO calls the popular Rainbow Slopes. KTO lists day skiing from 09:00 to 17:00, night skiing from 19:00 to 22:00 and a second night session to 23:30.
  • Balwangsan Cable Car Part of Mona YongPyong in KTO's listing, and the way up Balwangsan, which KTO gives as 1,458 m above sea level.
  • The 2018 alpine technical course CONI's venue page lists the women's and men's giant slalom and slalom at the Yongpyong Alpine Centre, plus the alpine team event. KTO cites past World Cup ski races and the Asian Winter Games here, and the IOC notes that Yongpyong hosted the FIS 2020 Alpine Skiing Far East Cup.
  • Mona YongPyong resort KTO lists a hotel, a condominium, a golf course, a water park and the cable car, and describes the complex as about 17,000,000 m² with a 45-hole golf course. The IOC adds a mountain coaster.
  • Alpensia's Olympic venues Also in Daegwallyeong-myeon: the ski jumping, biathlon, cross-country and sliding centres, where the IOC says visitors can try bobsleigh in summer and winter.
  • Daegwallyeong ranches Daegwallyeong Yangtte Ranch, at 920 m with sheep grazing freely except in winter, and Daegwallyeong Sky Ranch, open all year with a 45-minute tractor tour, are in Daegwallyeong-myeon too, by KTO's addresses.
  • Woljeongsa and Odaesan Yongpyong lists Woljeongsa and Odaesan among its local attractions. KTO says Odaesan National Park is renowned for the Sangwonsa and Woljeongsa temples.
  • Pyeongchang Trout Festival KTO's 2024 winter festivals guide puts the festival venue close to Alpensia and Yongpyong, on the frozen Odaecheon Stream in Jinbu-myeon. In 2026 it ran from 9 January to 9 February, by KTO's listing.
  • Daegwallyeong Snow Festival By Songcheon Stream in Daegwallyeong-myeon. In 2026 it ran from 13 to 22 February, 10:00–18:00, with a snow tunnel, sledding and folk activities (KTO).

One easy day from here

  1. Morning In winter, ski the day session from 09:00, starting on the Rainbow Slopes.
  2. Midday Ride the Balwangsan Cable Car to the 1,458 m top of Balwangsan for the view over the ridges.
  3. Afternoon Back on the slopes until the day session ends at 17:00. Out of season, swap skiing for the water park or the golf course, or drive to Daegwallyeong Yangtte Ranch to feed the sheep.
  4. Evening Night skiing from 19:00, until 22:00 or, in the later session, 23:30.

Before you book

  • The Jinbu shuttle carries Yongpyong Resort guests only, with a reservation or membership card, and runs twice a day, from Jinbu at 11:00 and 15:00. Arriving by KTX? Book at the resort and time your train to those departures.
  • Night skiers should stay at the resort: KTO lists night sessions until 22:00 and 23:30.
  • January brings the Pyeongchang Trout Festival, which KTO's 2024 guide puts close to Yongpyong; in 2026 it ran from 9 January to 9 February. Book early for those weekends.
  • Driving? Yongpyong's own directions take you off the expressway at the Daegwallyeong Interchange.

Questions visitors ask

Did Yongpyong host Olympic events?

Yes. It was the alpine technical venue at PyeongChang 2018: CONI's venue page lists the men's and women's giant slalom and slalom, plus the alpine team event, and the resort's own site describes its Olympic course. The IOC notes that Yongpyong went on to host the FIS 2020 Alpine Skiing Far East Cup.

How do I get to Yongpyong by train?

Take the KTX to Jinbu Station, then the resort's shuttle: 20 minutes each way, leaving Jinbu at 11:00 and 15:00 and the resort at 12:00 and 16:00, on the schedule from 1 March 2024. Only Yongpyong Resort guests can board, with a reservation or membership card.

How high is Balwangsan?

1,458 m above sea level, by KTO's figure, and the Balwangsan Cable Car, part of Mona YongPyong, takes you up it. It is the easy way to see Pyeongchang's mountains from the top without skis or a climb, in summer as well as in the ski season.

Is there night skiing at Yongpyong?

Yes. KTO lists night skiing from 19:00 to 22:00 and a second night session from 19:00 to 23:30, after a day session from 09:00 to 17:00. Stay at the resort to make the most of it: the Jinbu shuttle's last run leaves the resort at 16:00.

A place before a plan.

Where to stay in PyeongchangSave your address in Korean

Sources & review

Editorial review: · Korea Standard Time