Ski till 4am at Korea's Phoenix Park Pyeonchang

For Aussies Phoenix Park is where our best medal chances at the Pyeongchang Olympics will come across moguls, boarder X, halfpipe and aerials, so let’s check out the skiing with Adam Clancy. He took his board and put Phoenix’s bragging rights to the test, including taking a shot at riding the wee small hours till 4.00am.

When I think of fun snowboarding I think of Phoenix Park. The terrain gave me the opportunity to enjoy fast long runs or fine tune the tricks on wall rides, the little kickers on the side of the runs, a couple of massive rollers, and a really fun intermediate terrain park.
I understand why it is going to be the home of the 2018 Olympic freestyle events like Ski & Boarder X, the Aerials, Moguls, Half Pipe and the Parallel Giant Slalom.
Located just 2 hours from Seoul, and only 30 minutes from Yongpyong. When I think of fun snowboarding I think of Phoenix Park. The terrain gave me the opportunity to enjoy fast long runs or fine tune the tricks on wall rides, the little kickers on the side of the runs, a couple of massive rollers and a really fun intermediate terrain park. I understand why it is going to be the home of the 2018 Olympic freestyle events like Ski & Boarder X, the Aerials, Moguls, Half Pipe and the Parallel Giant Slalom. Located just 2 hours from Seoul and only 30 minutes from Yongpyong Ski Resort, Phoenix Park offers a great stopover for anyone wanting a two resort holiday.
I wouldn’t have believed it myself it if I didn’t get up to have a look, but it was true, the skiing was just as popular at 3am as it was at 3pm, with flood lights again on almost every slope. The terrain provides a great range of beginner and intermediate runs, and a couple of really steep black courses. They have the “safety first” mentality and have most of the courses fenced off. It felt criminal when I was spotting fresh lines everywhere!

The Resort offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and of the ski-in-ski out hotels and condos sitting at the base of the mountain. I was lucky enough to travel to the closest town and sample the local beef at a traditional Korean BBQ restaurant. It was quite an experience when we had to purchase our food from the local butcher and then cook it on small BBQ’s provided just outside. They even had servers to provide us with Korean beer and sides. It was delicious.
After a hard day on the snow, or for the kids that don’t feel like skiing for the day, a must is visiting the massive water park offered at the resort. Fully equipped with a couple of decent sized water slides, wave pool and lazy river. The kids will enjoy the activities for hours. You can also try your luck at the Bowling Alley.

Phoenix Park Mountain stats

• Summit 1050m, base 660m, max vertical 390m
• 250cm snowfall + virtually 100% snowmaking coverage
• 21 trails, longest 2.4km; terrain 30% beginner, 40% intermediate, 30% advanced
• parks for all levels
• 15 lifts including 1 gondola, 2 six pacs & 1 quad
• Lift pass rates 8 hour day adult KRW 76,000 child 65,000; on weekends try the 11.30pm – 4.00am pass for KRW 55,000 adults and kids (yep they sell a kids ticket for those hours!) 47,000

NB: Large areas of the resort are closed for the Olympics this season – see the map

Phoenix Snow Park accommodation and packages

Plenty of accomodation at the base from youth hostel to condos to hotels. Mogul Ski World have packages to Phoenix; for a multi-destination trip combine 2 – 3 days here with 3 – 4 at Yongpyong.
Details: 1800 335 724 www.mogulski.com.au

Phoenix Snow Park tourist info

Gangwon Province is the home of skiing in South Korea, check their site for more ski info & on the many other attractions http://eng.gwd.go.kr/
Korea Tourism Office are a great source of info with many offices worldwide for local material, check www.visitkorea.or.kr
Resort info https://phoenixhnr.co.kr/pyeongchang/global/en/ski/

Getting to Phoenix Park

book buses here http://ppbus.varotour.com/ppbus_foreigner/pc/index.jsp