Muju Travel Guide

Just like most things in Korea, the Koreans ski in overcrowded masses. I've been fortunate to ski in many countries and continents and Korean ski resorts amaze me. They are perfectly happy to sit in lines that are long, ski on hills that are over crowded and eat in the cafeteria where you have to fight for seats. What one does, they all do...

But if you can manage to weave through the crowds at the lower levels, the upper mountain is much more open since fewer have the skills to challenge the steeper terrain.

If you buy tickets at the resort, cost will be ~70,000 KRW. If you purchase through a travel agency and/or negotiate a group rate, you can get the ticket cost down to 40,000 KRW.

Rental prices of equipment and winter clothing is available if you do not have any. Prices vary between 20,000 and 40,000 per day.

Like many things in Korea, it is quite possible to take a bus at 4am from wherever you are, arrive at 8am, ski all day and take a bus back after the lifts close. All-day trips including bus range from 80,000 to 100,000 depending on where your departure city is.

2 more images

Behind the Hotel Tirol is a seasonal driving range that extends up the side of one of the lower slopes. For 13,000 won ($13) you get a huge basket of balls, an oversized driver, and a seven iron. It's a lot of fun, even if you're just a hack like me.

4 more images

Take the cable car up to the top of the ski slopes and continue up the mountain on foot. A short, 20-minute trail will take you to the top of Deogyusan, the 5th tallest mountain in Korea. This is by far one of the most easily accessed mountains in the country. Because of this, you can expect a bit of a crowd, but the view is worth it.