Korea in Winter: 5-Day Itinerary with Snow and Hot Springs

By Dragon Kim · Updated October 25, 2026 · 7 min read

What does a 5-day winter route look like?

Use two days in Seoul, one ski day trip, then two days on the east coast at Sokcho. This keeps most of the trip on public transport and puts the long bus ride in the middle, not on arrival day.

1. Day 1: palaces and old streets. Follow our Gyeongbokgung Palace guide and add an evening walk through Ikseon-dong if you have energy left.
2. Day 2: ice rink and market food. Skate at Seoul Plaza if it is open, then warm up with street snacks at Gwangjang Market. See our Gwangjang Market food guide.
3. Day 3: ski day trip. See the next section for resort transport.
4. Day 4: Sokcho and Seoraksan. Take an early express bus, ride the cable car and finish at a hot spring.
5. Day 5: Sokcho coast and return. VisitKorea lists a course of Daepohang Port, the Oeongchi Badahyanggiro seaside trail and Sokcho Beach, about 14.2 km in total by its count, then bus back to Seoul.

Seoul Plaza's rink ran from December 19, 2025 to February 8, 2026 last season, charging 1,000 won per person per hour with free skate rental, according to the Korea JoongAng Daily (December 16, 2025). Foreign visitors with the Seoul Tour Pass or Discover Seoul Pass entered free. Confirm the 2026-27 dates before you plan around it.

How do I do a ski day trip from Seoul?

Pick a resort with a rail or shuttle link, because that avoids renting a car in snow. VisitKorea gives these transport details for resorts near Seoul and in Gangwon-do.

For a one-day trip from Seoul, Konjiam and Elysian Gangchon look simplest on paper because the page names a train and a short transfer. VisitKorea does not list rental prices for most resorts, so check each resort's own site and book lessons ahead if you are new to skiing. Also ask about lift-ticket and rental bundles when you book.

1. Book the resort first. Confirm the season is open, then buy tickets, rental and any lesson online.
2. Travel by train or shuttle. Follow the stated route in the table and leave Seoul early.
3. Head back before the late rush. Slope closing times vary by resort, so check the schedule on the day.

How do I get to Seoraksan and a hot spring?

Take an express bus from Seoul to Sokcho, then a local bus to the Seoraksan entrance, and soak at Cheoksan afterwards. Ivisitkorea (last updated September 10, 2026) says express buses leave Seoul Express Bus Terminal or Dong Seoul Bus Terminal from about 6:00 to 23:30, roughly 36 departures a day, and take about 2.5 to 3 hours.

VisitKorea says Cheoksan Hot Springs Zone includes Cheoksan Spa and Hotel, a hot spring bath and Footbath Park, and that winter visitors can soak while looking at snow-capped Seoraksan. The page lists no prices, so ask at each facility. The 1330 Korea Travel Helpline can answer questions in English.

Ivisitkorea warns that wind can suspend the cable car and that some trails may close after heavy snowfall. Keep a flexible afternoon so you can swap in the harbour or beach if the mountain is closed. The same page does not name the trails, so ask at the park.

What should I pack and when should I go?

Go between mid-December and February for open slopes, and pack thick outerwear, gloves, a scarf and non-slip shoes. VisitKorea recommends warm clothing and says to wear thick outerwear at all times. Its table lists Seoul lows of -3.4°C in December and -5.5°C in January, and -0.1°C in Busan in January.

Festival dates on VisitKorea's winter guide were for the 2024-25 season (page dated December 2024), so use them only as a pattern. For clothing by month, see Korea in November: weather and what to pack, and for a Seoul-only plan see Seoul in 3 Days. More routes are in our seasonal itineraries.

FAQ