Skiing in Seoul Day Trip for Beginners

Ok, let me be the first to admit that the title of this blog is a little bit exaggerated. Hahaha.

We went on a "Skiing Beginners Day Trip" so I am pretty sure that claiming we went skiing is a stretch, but we don't need to trouble ourselves with the details.

The family was quite cooperative when Sofia and I started campaigning that we should devote one full day to go an a Skiing Tour. The votes were split because the 'oldies' didn't really want to ski, Sofia and I wanted to do everything (at least once!) and Ady wanted to go all-or-nothing. In other words, she didn't see the point in going and paying for a tour "just to see snow at a ski resort" without actually skiing.

I did the some research online, and I found different tours that could take you on a Day Trip for around 60,000won (SG$ or Php2,500) but the hidden charges for actual skiing would take you upto 125,000won for the ski equipment and the ski outfits! It's a good thing, I found a website (www.seoulnski.com) where their rates were more reasonable, and they had options to just "See the Snow" or do a "Beginner's Ski Tour with instructions and equipment included", plus they offered a group discount as well (for groups with more than 5 pax). They were flexible enough to allow 3 of us to just see the snow for 35,000won, and 3 of us to do the beginner's  ski tour for 65,000. The only hidden charge is the Ski Outfit for 15,000won (which is optional, but recommended if you're going to ski) - so it's best to bring your own if you plan ahead. 

Side note: My mom says ski pants are on sale in HMR (Pioneer St., Mandaluyong) for Php300+, because all you really need are waterproof pants. The jacket you choose to wear will work.

It was so easy to book the tour. I just called the number from the website from the Hotel Concierge the day before and it was immediately confirmed for the next day. They have a credit card machine so you can pay on the bus after you go skiing.

The tour starts with a pick-up from your hotel. We left around 8am.
Our bus picked up another small group then we were on our way.

Travel time was roughly around an hour to get there.

Our first stop was the Ski Rental shop. There are a lot of shops in the area,
but I guess the tour guide will bring you to where they have an agreement.

There are a lot of skis and snow boards outside the shop,
but since equipment was included in the package,
we didn't rent any from here.

Before Skiing #OOTD

They assure you that they have a lot of stock, so just inform them of
the color you prefer for your ski outfit.  I chose to match Sofia.

They will also try to convince you to rent Ski Goggles for 10,000won, but we opted not to rent any. For reference, there is a shop at the resort where you can buy a basic pair for 15,000won if you really need it.

All decked out to ski!

From the parking Ady and I saw the ski lift and we wanted to change
our minds. Hahaha. 

When we got back to the bus, the instructor started handing out
ski gloves (included for all) and she also was giving us instructions.

Our first task was to get fitted for our ski boots!
This was so tiring I wanted to quit (again!).

In fact, I was too busy taking pictures, I made a booboo by leaving one of my ski gloves in the bus! Good thing, Auntie Celit who didn't plan to ski brought down hers, so she lent it to me to use instead.

Ready....
But in my mind, I was already calculating that after a few more pictures,
we could call it a day. Hahaha.

Jenny was a nice and patient instructor, but Sofia had
difficulty following because the skis were just too heavy for her.

At first it was stressful for me and Ady, because we didn't know what to expect.

Because this is was where everyone was lining up!!!

Then we realized that skiing for beginners was only at this
inclined plane! Hahahaha. It can't even be considered a bunny slope!
This really gave me peace of mind. 

Sof had such a hard time with balance that pretty soon, she had two
instructors focused on teaching her the basics of walking side to side.

So Ady and I took advantage of this time for more photo ops! Hahaha...

Poser shot! Not realizing, halata pala from the sand that
I was just busy walking side to side.

It's quite unfair that I take better pictures than Ady.

Jenny just taught us the basics of skiing (thanks gravity!) and stopping, so we could also take action shots.

Ady in action.

And me in Action.

Then the tour guide that ended up dedicated to Fi just decided that
it was easier to carry her skis for her, than to teach her to walk.

Before we knew it, Sofia was skiing!

She was such a pro at it too!

Wheeee!!!

Except Sofia really didn't know how to stop, so in 4 out of 5 runs,
she ended up on her butt. Hahaha.

Since the set-up was too tiring, when we finally got the hang of it, we were good enough (we had enough pics) to call it a day. We just decided to do one last run with the three of us together.

Ready, Get Set....

Go!!!

We were just so happy to get out of the heavy skiing gear after that.

There's a cafeteria right on the resort, so getting lunch is quite convenient. 

If you're just taking a break, you just hang your skis on the yellow bars.
You could also warm yourself by the fire.

You order from the counter. (Food is quite reasonable).

Then you sit down and wait for your number to be flashed.

Then you go to the other side to pick up your order,
and help yourself to some kimchi.

Sof had so much fun, she asked for her picture to be taken with our
ski instructors.

The servings were quite generous for a la carte orders.
We had chicken and potato tots, udon, and katsu curry.

We observed that some people had food stubs, so they were just given a set meal with smaller servings, so when given a choice between a tour with lunch, and without lunch, be sure to go for the one where lunch is NOT included.

We had a lot of time to kill before the group left,
so we spent it by the 'slopes'.

Sof and Lolo went to get some snow for Gammy's wrist
 because she sprained it.

Since Sof already started playing with snow,
I helped her build a snowman, which was on her bucket list.

The shop sells Tayo Skis and Sled for kids.
I was so tempted to buy, so I could push Sofia on the inclined plane,
but I decided to save my money instead.

We had so much fun, the SKI trip was really worth it.

We left at around 2PM and it felt like the trip back was much longer. The only detour included as part of the Tour is a stop to visit the Ginseng Factory (back in Seoul Proper).

While they attempt to sell you overpriced ginseng
products in all forms, they weren't really a hard sell,
so you don't really waste a lot of your time.

The tour ends with the driver asking if you want to be dropped off at Dongdaemun or in Myeongdong, both shopping areas, so as a whole, it's a really productive and tiring day.

I would recommend the Day Trip any day. www.seoulnski.com also offers other tours, so it's worth checking out. I think snow season in Korea lasts until March, so if you find yourself in the area, go skiing. It's really fun. just saying.