Earlybird: High1 Resort Ski & Snow World Day Tour from Seoul

High1 is a proper mountain resort, not a quick snow-play stop: the ride from Seoul takes about three hours each way, and the day gives you roughly six hours at the resort. Pick a ski package and you can spend that time on the slopes; choose Snow World and you can try sleds and other snow activities instead.

I like two things in particular: round-trip transport removes the hassle of arranging a long trip into Gangwon, and the one-hour lesson in Package A gives first-timers a useful start. Guides named Sun and Coby have been singled out for patient instruction and clear help, though your assigned guide can vary.

The trade-off is the tight schedule and the extra costs. Lessons are brief, gear can need adjustments, and in March some slopes may be closed. Check which package includes lift access, then budget separately for items such as helmets, goggles, and gloves.

High1 at a glance

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• Three hours from Seoul: Depart early from Hongik University Station or Myeongdong, then expect to reach High1 around 9:30, traffic permitting.
• Two ski choices: Package A includes a one-hour lesson; Package B includes ski gear, clothes, and lift and gondola access, but no lesson.
• Snow World is a different outing: Package C is for the winter playground and sled activities, not a ski package with slope access.
• Lessons are beginner-friendly: The tour describes instruction by ISIA-certified instructors in English or Chinese, and guides such as Sun and Coby have been praised for patient teaching.
• March can mean fewer slopes: High1 has 16 slopes overall, but not all operate late in the season. One beginner slope may be open at a time.
• Protective gear costs extra: Helmets, goggles, visors, pads, gloves, and neck warmers are not included in the listed package details.

👉 See our pick of the 3 Best Tours In Gangwon

A long ride buys you a full day on snow

High1 Ski Resort sits in Gangwon, well beyond Seoul’s urban fringe. The tour starts early, with pickups at 6:40 a.m. at Hongik University Station and 7 a.m. at Myeongdong Station. Arrive ten minutes early: the operator says late arrivals and no-shows cannot be refunded, and the cancellation terms also rule out refunds for participants who are five minutes late or more.

The drive is about three hours in normal conditions, so this is a long day rather than a casual half-day outing. The bus saves you from planning the route and navigating resort transport, while a guide handles the schedule and explains what to do. The ride and return times can shift with traffic or weather.

You reach High1 at about 9:30 a.m. The schedule allows around six hours at the resort, then sets aside time to return rented clothes and board the bus around 4:30 p.m. The planned return is about 7:30 p.m. at Myeongdong and 8 p.m. at Hongik University Station.

That is a useful stretch of time for a first ski outing, but it is not an unhurried resort holiday. You will need to get fitted, sort out equipment, learn the layout, and make good use of the hours available. If you want several lessons or a relaxed stay, a one-day trip is a sample, not a substitute for an overnight visit.

Choose your package before you set out

The options serve different purposes, so compare what each one actually includes rather than choosing by the lowest price alone. The listed starting fares are US$104.45 for Package A, US$94.55 for Package B, US$84.59 for Package C, and US$24.89 for Package D. A separate tour summary gives a starting price of US$68.09; fares can vary, so confirm the total shown for your date and package before booking.

Package A combines round-trip shuttle transport, a guide, ski gear, ski clothes, lift and gondola access, and a one-hour lesson. For someone who has never skied, this is the most complete option. It removes several separate arrangements and gives you basic instruction before you try the slope.

Package B includes transport, a guide, gear, clothes, and lift and gondola access, but no lesson. Choose it if you can already ski, or if you are comfortable learning independently. If you are a true beginner, saving the lesson fee may not be worth much if you spend the day unsure how to use the equipment or control your speed.

Package C pairs round-trip transport and a guide with Snow World, the winter playground, and sled activities. The listed inclusions name family snow sleds, ice sleds, spinning sleds, tube sleds, a snow playground, lounge service, and a gondola ride. But the access details need careful reading: Package C does not include lift or gondola passes for skiing, and a valid ticket is required to enter the ski slopes. A free gondola connects Valley Condo and Mountain Condo for travel between resort areas. Confirm exactly what your selected voucher covers, especially if you expect to use a gondola for sightseeing.

Package D is transport and guide only. It is the least expensive choice, but it does not list ski equipment, clothes, lessons, or lift access. It makes sense only if you have arranged the rest yourself and understand the resort’s separate costs.

The advertised general price and package prices do not line up neatly, and the access notes distinguish sharply between packages. Treat the package name and its detailed inclusions as the deciding information, not a headline starting fare.

What the lesson can and cannot teach

Package A’s one-hour lesson is a sensible first step, not a full ski course. The instruction is described as being led by ISIA-certified instructors, with lessons available in English or Chinese. Guides named Sun and Coby have been praised for patient explanations, careful safety briefings, and practical help. Kevin is another guide named by a family group. The guide assigned to your departure may differ.

A good hour can help you understand basic movement and safety before you head onto a beginner slope. One beginner reported being able to ski from the start to the end of a slope after instruction, while another participant felt the lesson was too short to feel ready for the runs. Both reactions make sense: confidence, coordination, and how much you absorb vary from person to person.

Do not mistake a beginner lesson for a guarantee that you will be ready for every run. High1 is a large resort with slopes of different difficulty, and a few participants have found the resort information confusing or had trouble locating an open run. Listen closely to the guide’s directions and check which slopes are operating before you set off.

For a first day, the lesson is most valuable as a safety and orientation session. You can learn the basic techniques, get a feel for the equipment, and decide whether you want more practice. If you are hoping to ski confidently across several runs by afternoon, keep your expectations modest.

Six hours at High1, from fittings to final bus call

The schedule brings you to the resort around 9:30 a.m. If you need warm clothes or cold-weather gear, you can rent them at the designated rental shop. Packages A and B list ski clothes and equipment as included, but confirm how the fitting and collection process works for your booking. One participant reported that the rental clothes were clean and in good condition; another lost time replacing faulty equipment and sorting out a lift card.

That is a good reason to check your boots, bindings, and any access card as soon as you receive them. If something feels wrong, ask for help before heading to the slope. A gear problem can eat into a day that already has a firm return time.

The main resort window runs from about 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is described as free time, so do not assume a guide will stay beside you throughout the day. The guide’s role includes helping the group understand the plan and resort arrangements; your skiing or snow play is largely self-directed once you are set up.

The tour also includes lounge service from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a foreigner information desk offering language assistance, coffee, and tea. This gives you a place to ask questions or take a break. Food and drinks are not included, and the schedule does not name a meal stop, so plan to pay for meals and beverages yourself.

At about 4:30 p.m., return to the bus area and prepare to leave. If you rented clothes, the schedule includes a stop to return them before the planned 5 p.m. departure. Keep an eye on the time: one last run is not worth missing the bus, and late arrivals are not eligible for a refund.

Slopes, gondolas, and the late-season question

High1 has 16 slopes in total, but the resort does not keep every run open throughout the season. The tour specifically warns that fewer slopes may be operating in March. A report from a March outing described only one beginner slope being open, so do not plan around the full resort map without checking current conditions.

Two named beginner runs are Athena 3, at 1,809 metres, and Athena 3-1, at 1,162 metres. Those lengths give beginners a longer run than a tiny practice strip, but access depends on which lifts and slopes are open and which package you have. The resort’s size can be a plus for experienced skiers, yet it may feel confusing when the available runs change.

Packages A and B are described as allowing access to all lifts and gondolas across High1. Package C is limited to the Valley Condo gondola for its stated access, and does not include lift or gondola passes for the ski slopes. Because the general inclusions also mention a round-trip gondola, read the details attached to your selected package and ask the operator if the gondola access is important to your plans.

Some participants have enjoyed the views from the gondola, and one noted a ride of about 35 minutes each way. That can be a pleasant use of time, but it is not the same as a ski lift ticket. Keep the distinction clear when comparing a snow-play package with a ski package.

Snow World is for play, not slope practice

If skiing is not your goal, Package C shifts the day toward snow activities. The listed attractions include family sleds, ice sleds, spinning sleds, tube sleds, and a snow playground. That mix can suit families or anyone who wants time in the snow without taking a ski lesson.

It is also a better fit for a group with different levels of interest. One person can enjoy sledding while another takes in the winter setting, rather than everyone needing to learn ski technique. The package does not list ski gear or clothes, though rental may be available at the designated shop, so check the arrangements and budget before you leave Seoul.

Do not book Package C expecting to ski the slopes simply because High1 is a ski resort. Slope access requires a valid ticket, and the package notes say lift and gondola passes are not included. Confirm whether the included gondola ride applies to your exact booking, since the package-specific rules are more precise than the general inclusion list.

What to budget beyond the package

Meals, beverages, insurance, and personal expenses are not included. Ski clothes and ski gear are also excluded from the listed general inclusions, although Packages A and B specifically bundle clothes and equipment. Check the exact package description rather than assuming every fare covers the same kit.

Visors, helmets, goggles, and protective pads cost extra. On-site rental prices listed are ₩20,000 for a visor with helmet and goggles, ₩10,000 for a helmet, ₩10,000 for goggles, ₩10,000 for a hip protection pad, and ₩20,000 for a turtle-style hip pad. Gloves and neck warmers are listed for purchase at ₩18,000 and ₩20,000 respectively.

One participant noted that a helmet was mandatory for their outing and that it came with a visor. Since the general tour details do not say helmets are included, plan for the added cost and verify the rule for your package. The extra items can make the total higher than the package price, particularly if you need several pieces of protective gear.

For value, compare the complete cost: package, rental or purchase extras, food, and any insurance you choose to arrange. Package A costs more than Package B, but the lesson and included access may be worth it for a novice. Package D looks inexpensive, but its low fare reflects the fact that transport and a guide are the main inclusions.

Is this High1 day trip right for you?

I would consider this tour if you want a straightforward way to reach a large ski resort from Seoul, especially if it is your first time on skis and you prefer a guide to handle the day’s logistics. Package A is the most practical starting point for beginners; the one-hour lesson is limited, but it offers useful basics. Package B is better for confident skiers who do not need instruction, while Package C suits snow play rather than skiing.

Look elsewhere if you want a long course, a relaxed pace, or a guaranteed choice of many open runs in March. High1 is a long way from Seoul, the day has fixed departure times, and late-season conditions can narrow the options. Before paying, match the package to your activity, confirm gondola and slope access, and add the likely cost of protective gear. The tour can offer good value when those details suit your plans.

FAQ

How long does the trip from Seoul to High1 take?

The drive is about three hours each way, though traffic and weather can change the schedule.

Where are the Seoul pickup points?

The tour departs from Hongik University Station Exit 8 at 6:40 a.m. and Myeongdong Station Exit 1 at 7 a.m. You should arrive ten minutes before your departure.

Which package includes a ski lesson?

Package A includes a one-hour lesson. The tour describes instruction by ISIA-certified instructors, with English or Chinese instruction available.

Does Package B include ski equipment and lift access?

Yes. Package B lists ski gear, clothes, lift and gondola access, transport, and a guide. It does not include a lesson.

Can I ski with Package C?

Package C is described as a Snow World winter-playground package. It does not include lift or gondola passes for skiing, and a valid ticket is required to enter the ski slopes.

Are helmets and goggles included?

No. Helmets, goggles, visors, and protective pads are not included in the general tour details and may be rented or purchased at the resort.

Are all High1 slopes open in March?

No. The tour warns that not all slopes operate in March. High1 has 16 slopes overall, but the number open can vary with the season and conditions.

Are meals included?

No. Meals and beverages are not included, so budget for them separately.