Yongpyong & Pyeongchang

Mongolian citizens need a visa for South Korea. Apply for a C-3-9 tourist visa at the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) in Ulaanbaatar: a single-entry visa valid for 3 months, stay up to 90 days. The visa fee is waived for ordinary passport holders; you pay only the centre's 57,000₮ service fee. Proof of funds such as bank statements is required. Holders of a US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand or Schengen visa flying to that country via Incheon can enter visa-free for up to 30 days — this does not apply to an Ulaanbaatar–Incheon–Ulaanbaatar trip.

Tip: Ski-season flights and rooms fill early — apply for the visa early in autumn. Mongolian citizens don't need K-ETA.

From 2026 Korea no longer uses paper arrival cards: within 3 days before your flight, enter your passport, flight and hotel at e-arrivalcard.go.kr. It is free — beware of look-alike sites that charge a fee.

Yongpyong usually opens 1–2 runs on machine-made snow in late November (21 Nov in 2025); check the resort site for the 2026/27 opening date. All runs are open from late December to February. Staying inside the resort (Dragon Valley Hotel, condos) lets you walk to the lifts. Get insurance that specifically covers skiing injuries.

Tip: Avoid the Lunar New Year and Christmas–New Year peaks and both slopes and rooms are much quieter.

From Incheon take AREX to Seoul Station, ~1 h, then the KTX to Jinbu (Pyeongchang) station, ~1.5 h, about ₩22,000. From Jinbu a bus for resort guests runs to Yongpyong twice a day (~20 min) — show your booking confirmation; at other times take a taxi.

Tip: Jinbu and Pyeongchang are different stations: get off at Jinbu for Yongpyong and Odaesan, at Pyeongchang for Alpensia and Bongpyeong.

In winter 2026/27 a direct bus runs once each morning from Incheon Terminals 1 and 2 to Yongpyong between 7 Dec and 12 Feb, ~$30 (child ~$26); from Seoul stops such as Hongdae and Myeongdong between 27 Nov and 1 Mar, ~$15.50. The ride takes ~2.5–3 h; book ahead.

The ski bus only runs in the morning, so if you land on an evening flight spend a night in Seoul or near the airport and take the KTX or bus next day. Save your hotel's address in Korean script on your phone.

If your phone supports eSIM, install an Airalo or KT/SKT tourist eSIM before the flight — it works the moment you land. There are no tourist SIM counters in Pyeongchang.

Tip: Batteries drain fast in the cold — keep the phone in an inner pocket and carry a power bank.

Incheon's arrivals hall has many KT, SKT and LG U+ counters: show your passport and get a tourist SIM or eSIM. The resort hotels and lobbies have Wi-Fi.

Taxis are the easiest way between Yongpyong, Alpensia, Hoenggye village and the sheep farm — hail one with Kakao T or ask the hotel lobby. Taxis are scarce in the evening, so arrange your return ride in advance.

Local buses run from Jinbu bus terminal to Woljeongsa and Sangwonsa; check times in Naver Map. If you rent a car, make sure it has winter tyres or chains.

The KTX from Jinbu or Pyeongchang station reaches Gangneung in ~20 min — handy for a day at Anmok Coffee Street and Gyeongpo Beach.

Yongpyong's 25/26 day lift ticket is ₩96,000 (child ₩78,000), half day ₩68,000; a full equipment set rents for ₩48,000 and a ski suit for ₩30,000. English group lessons for foreigners (ages 8+) cost ₩70,000, private lessons for 1–3 people ₩300,000; ages 6–7 take private lessons only. 26/27 prices may change slightly.

Tip: Lift + rental + room packages on Klook, Trazy and similar sites often work out cheaper.

Visa and Mastercard work everywhere in the resorts; small village restaurants and farms may want cash. Spend over ₩15,000 at a 'Tax Free' shop and you can reclaim VAT.

Makguksu — cold buckwheat noodles, and buckwheat jeon (Bongpyeong); grilled Hanu beef in Hoenggye; hwangtae — pollack dried in the winter cold of Daegwallyeong; mountain-greens bibimbap near Woljeongsa.

Tip: No tipping in restaurants; side dishes (banchan) are free and refilled on request.

Resort food courts serve ramyeon, tonkatsu and burgers; gimbap and ready meals at the GS25 and CU in Dragon Plaza are cheap. To order food without chilli, say '안 맵게' (an maepge).

Police 112, ambulance, fire and mountain rescue 119 — free, 24 hours. The 1330 Korea Travel Helpline answers in English 24 hours a day with three-way interpreting. If you are hurt on a run, tell the lift staff and call ski patrol.

In winter this is Korea's coldest area — layers, a face cover and a helmet are a must. Strong wind can stop the Balwangsan cable car, so phone ahead before you go.

The resorts have ski clinics; serious injuries go to Gangneung Asan Hospital or Wonju Severance Christian Hospital. Call your insurer's assistance line first.

The skier below has right of way — give room when overtaking. Don't stop in the middle of a run or push in the lift queue. Keep children on the beginner runs.

At Woljeongsa and Sangwonsa walk quietly and don't photograph in front of people praying. Take your shoes off before entering halls.

Wait for the eldest to pick up their spoon before eating; never stand chopsticks upright in rice. Pour drinks for elders with both hands.

Google Maps gives almost no directions in Korea — use Naver Map or KakaoMap. Kakao T — hail a taxi and see the fare estimate.

The MONA YongPyong app — open runs and webcams. Papago — reads menus and signs with the camera.

Korail Talk and Let's Korail — KTX tickets in English. e-Arrival Card — the online border card.

The Jinbu–Seoul KTX takes ~1.5 h and AREX from Seoul Station to Incheon ~1 h — with the transfer and the ride to the station, leave the resort at least 6 hours before your flight. The ski bus leaves the resort twice a day (13:00 and 17:00).

VAT not deducted in the shop is refunded at Incheon's TAX REFUND kiosks. When you return rental gear, don't forget your ID held at the desk. The T-money balance can be refunded at a convenience store.