Meheartseoul | ~sweet memories~: Muju

Showing posts with label Muju. Show all posts

Sunday, 23 July 2017

How and Where to Learn Winter Sports in Korea?

[Korea] - [Buyeo] - How and Where to Learn Winter Sports in Korea? | by Meheartseoul

Too bad that not every country experience winter. For countries located near equator like Singapore only recognized two seasons which are wet and dry seasons. Therefore, it has been my dreams to visit countries where you can build snowman!

Without explanation, we all know that winter is icy cold, dry and humid. But, it didn't stop us to visit Korea during winter. In fact, out of our 5 trips to Korea, twice were in winter season. However, it wasn't snowing during our visit in Feb 2014. It's just snow covering some places that we visited.

Actually, cold won't bother you much if you wear thermal insulating clothing, winter jacket, protecting your neck with scarf, wear hat and if not enough... you can use hot packs to keep yourself warm! I would recommend you opt to stay in Korean style hotel or Hanok House, because it's nice to sleep on ondol (heated) floor.

Still remember how we flew out from Ashley Queens Restaurant the moment I saw the weather forecast notification that it's snowing. Yes, it's our first time seeing white fluffy snow falling from blue sky. Happily 'dancing' in the snow as we tried to catch as the snow on our palms.

It's phenomenal moments for us... but, we'd to rush back to the restaurant before being escorted back by police. You know we'd not paid the buffet. I just used sign language to the staff that we wanted to see snow, not sure whether she understood or not.

Snow is like magic blanket and turning Daewallyeong ranch to wonderland!

Snowscape in Jeonju on 27 Nov vs cold winter without snow on 29 Nov.

My weird body reacted as if it's colder if it's not snowing.

Completely fine even snow pouring down on me.

There are a lot of activities that you can do in winter, such as skiing, snowboarding, hiking, ice fishing and so on. I know, most of us that living in hot countries which ice melted in just few minutes doesn't know how to ski. Worry not, why not pick up a new skill while travelling and it'll be extraordinary and unforgetable experience in winter~^^

Korea has so no lack of ski resorts and mostly scattered around Gangwondo and Gyeonggido. Here are the list and more detailed information from VisitKorea for your easy reference.

Most of these resorts do conduct classes for skiing and snowboarding. You can even get special or discounted price if you're staying in the resort. Or you can get private instructor for one to one, where the instructor can concentrate just to one person instead of a group of students.

You can check my previous post about Muju Ski Resort here

and also 3 hours private skiing lesson here.

Hubby's pose like he's so satisfied after successfully sliding down from expert slope.

After the session, you should be able to slide down the hill. Cool, right?!

Well, not for us... We're still far to be considered as fair in skiing. It's nothing to do with the instructor. He's very good that I think with his skill, he can participate in upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics Games.

I just want to lie down on the snow and make snow angel~! ;P

Actually, we wanted to learn skiing together with kids on our last trip, but too bad that all of us were sick and just stayed in the pension houseand had mild winter activities such as fed animals, built snowman, and had a good rest.

Playing snowtubing at Elf Pension House.

Yes, my hands are itchy whenever I see thick snow!

Let's make a cool snowman~!

Do you know that building snowman, snowball fighting and ice fishing

are considered as winter recreational sports?

It can be casually enjoyed by whole family from young to old.

Talking about winter sports, world mega scale winter Olympics games will be held in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do which will feature 102 events in 15 sports:

Event calendar (Source: Wikipedia)

I wish to be there to witness the spectacular opening ceremony and few competitions like figure skating, Alpine skiing, and Snowboarding.

Would love to see the exquisite and elegance figure skating as close as I can. Still don't understand the formula of how they manage to balance themself after super fast spin, turns, twizzles. And the most fascinating is they're like a feather... flying and spining in the air effortlessly and gracefully. Really unbelieveable skills they have by practicing hard!

Adrenaline rush sport, Alpine skiing was one the reasons and my encouragement to take up skiing class. My ultimate goal is able to slide down the magical white hill without my legs trembling or jellified.

I'll back to workforce tomorrow, which coincidentally marking countdown D-200 to Pyeongchang Olympics.

Oh yeah, KTO Singapore will be celebrating D-200 with many exciting activities on 8th July 2017 (Fri), 3pm to 8pm. If you want to experience mini hockey and curling, fishing game or just to get information for your next visit to Korea, do visit them and who knows you might win and bring back home souvenirs featuring cute Soohorang and Bandabi as mascots of Winter Olympics and Paralympics Games.

Please click here for more information.

Related Posts:

Soohorang (수호랑) & Bandabi (반다비) Pyeongchang Winter Olympics & Paralympics 2018

Official mascots of Winter Olympics.

101 News about Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

ACM: Korean Folk Performances

Wednesday, 31 December 2014

Last Morning in Muju Deogyusan Ski Resort

Our tummies begging for food after one hour refreshing ourselves in hot tubs at St Hue Club jjimjilbang.

Grabbed some gimbap, bread and banana milk...

from big convenience shop at Muju Festival Street.

After had our breakfast, we slowly stroll back to hotel

to get our luggage and check out...

Muju Wine Gallery

Calm and chilly morning view from Kookmin Hotel.

skiing slopes blanketed with white snow~!

Welcome Center looks like European-style castle.

You have to Check-in and Check-Out here during off-peak seasons.

Super love the high ceiling with the big chandelier lighting

and still Christmas atmosphere although it's already Feb ^^

Grand and good quality of wooden furniture

and long and big staircases...

Weather Forecast at Receptionist Area.

But, were quite disappointed with Kookmin Hotel, as the room is really small and squeezy. We hardly have place to walk after laying 2 mattresses and our 2 luggage.

The room with super simple desk, wardrobe, small TV and fan. Small bathroom with shower head and toilet bowl. No toiletries provided except for 2 towels and toilet rolls. Therefore, I didn't take any photo because it's totally different from the photo from their website.

The room is with ondol floor, but when you on the ondol it's so stuffy and I'd to wake up to turn on the fan... but still not helpful that I woke up again to slightly open the window to supply fresh air to the room.

I don't recommend this hotel... The plus points only the location inside Muju resort and easy online room reservation and they accept foreign credit card (most of the online booking only accept Korean credit cards or bank transfer).

But, frankly this is the worst room that we ever stayed in Korea. However, because we opted for Winter Wonderland package, we enjoyed some discounted rate for ski equipments rental, free ski lift and sauna.

Actually with the rate you can stay in Minbak or pension houses with nicer bigger rooms and more amenities. We saw few pension houses on the way from Muju bus terminal to resort, which you can consider if you're not going there for skiing. Or choose other hotels inside this resort with the package if you're going for winter activities, so you can save on rental of equipments and ski lift.

Hhhmmm... Reindeer and Santa's 'Sliegh' bus?!

We're waiting for the taxi outside the reception area, after we asked the receptionist to call the taxi driver that drove us here as he gave us his name card.