There’s nothing quite like visiting a country outside of high season to experience it like a local. Korean winter is charming despite the cold. From December to February, temperatures fall between 10°C (50°F) and -10°C (14°F) but the skies are often sunny and blue. There are many warm and comforting indoor activities like going to the sauna (jjimjilbang) or hanging out at the many themed cafes across the country. But the best thing is the snow - especially if you want to learn to ski. 

We listed 7 special activities for your winter stay in Korea.

‍1. Winter sports

Korea is 70% mountains so there are many ski resorts only one hour away from Seoul. The Hoppin House team can organize day trips to ski, snowboard, sled, or hike there. Among the most famous are Yongpyong, Alpensia, Konjiam, Vivaldi, and High1 Ski resorts… Most of them are in the Gangneung region, where the Winter Olympics Games were held in 2018.

2. Eat comforting food

Korea’s incredible gastronomy seems to have been made entirely for wintertime. The boiling stews, spicy soups, flaming BBQs… Koreans like to pair them with alcohol to feel extra warm inside.

3. Dip into hot springs and saunas

Jimjjilbang are everywhere in Korea (you can recognize them thanks to their logo ♨️). One of our favorites is Traditional Oriental Forest Land because aside from baths and sauna rooms, they have BBQs! You can grill sweet potatoes and tteok (rice cake) skewers before tipping them in honey. If you’re up for a trip, you can also try the famous Icheon Termeden, a water park with an outdoor heated pool loved by Korean families in winter.

4. Winter illumination

Korea loves night illumination. The Garden of Morning Calm is one of the top destinations, along with Yeollin Songhyeon Square, but there’s also the lantern festival on the Cheonggyecheon River in November or December. You’ll be able to see Christmas decorations in Myeongdong around the Cathedral and in the surrounding malls (Shinsegae, Lotte…) from the beginning of November to, sometimes, mid-February.

5. Snuggle in cute cafes

Thanks to floor heating and the sunny winter skies, cafes are cozy and warm. There are often blankets to go with your steaming coffee or tea. And if you’re missing your home, you can always go to pet cafes to hug cute animals.

6. Winter festivals

You can go to the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival to fish trout in little holes carved in the ice, grill, and eat your find! It happens every year from mid-January to the beginning of February. There are snow festivals, snow crab festivals… You can also go strawberry picking (they’re in season in winter) and watch Camellias in bloom for the Jeju Hueree festival.

7. Eat ice-cream

Ok, we know that might sound crazy if you are not from a northern East Asian country, but winter is also a high season for Korean ice cream shops! We recommend sharing a classic pat bingsu topped with red bean paste between friends. They are delicious! 

Conclusion

What we’ve listed is only part of the winter fun in Korea. There are also ice rinks (many are inside malls), amusement parks (like Everland or Lotte World), and incredible mountain hikes if you’ve got the right gear to tackle the ice. You could visit Jeju island, where the weather is milder than on the mainland.

Korea’s an amazing destination for digital nomads all year round, and winter is no exception despite the low temperatures. With a proper coat and warm clothes (you can find great quality equipment in Korea, for cheaper prices than in Europe or the US), you’ll be able to enjoy the country like a local more easily!

If you want to know more tips for living as a Digital Nomad in Korea, we wrote a comprehensive guide on the topic!