Today's itinerary was a free and easy trip down (or should I say, up?) to Vivaldi Park Ski World! Skiing was undoubtly on our to-do list so I did my research on the popular ski resorts in Seoul and it eventually came down to Bearstown Ski Resort, located roughly an hour and a half, also the nearest if compared to the rest.
But then.. S.A apartment opposite ours displayed this eye-catching ski package ad. So naturally, we had been walking pass that same banner on our way back the last few days, we were intrigued and finally decided to enquire with the guy sitting behind the front desk.
Booking needed to be made at least 2 days in advance so thankfully, there were still available slots. Only downside was... they were not able to provide English speaking guides so they will be speaking in Cantonese or Mandarin instead.
Well, transportation was provided and pick up location was just across the street from our apartment so I ain't complaining (for now).
Frankly speaking, I strongly feel that opting for a ski package definitely made things a lot easier for us so if you can find yourself one, do not hesitate. Some of the ski resorts with better quality snow is at least a 4 hours ride so you do not want to go through the hassle of looking for directions and honestly, after a whole day of skiing.. just, no.
They also provided us with this business card which would definitely come in handy to contact our guide just in case we were to get lost while at the ski resort.
On ski day, we got up at the break of dawn despite the pick up location was just across the street. Knowing myself best, prepped myself for the long bus ride and I managed to put my new ASOS beanie to good use (and to complete my ski look hekhekhek). En route to Vivaldi Park Ski World, the bus made a stop at a nearby local ski shop to collect our ski wear and goggles.
You know how I said earlier about not caring if our guides spoke Mandarin? I take that back. Right about that time, we stood in the shop like lost puppies trying to decipher the instructions being relayed to the whole group.
But.. lucky us for there were fellow Singaporeans! We even got help from some of the young Hong Kongers who were nice enough to try and help our clueless selves.. which was actually how our fellow Singaporeans who were seated nearby heard us talking and decided to explain to us roughly what was going on lol.
Opening Date: November 25 (’16/’17 Season)
Operating Hours: Daytime 08:30-17:00 / Evening 18:30-22:30 / Nighttime 22:30-05:00
Operating Hours: Daytime 08:30-17:00 / Evening 18:30-22:30 / Nighttime 22:30-05:00
*Slope grooming hours 17:00-18:30
Located one hour away from Seoul, Vivaldi Park Ski World offers one-day skiing and nighttime skiing which attracts ski lovers to this ski resort and also has the largest accommodation facility.
(Photo courtesy of http://madhwish.blogspot.sg/)
All that was left to do was to collect our skis and boots! There were lockers at the ski rental area which costs about ₩2000 so we literally chucked all of our belongings inside including our shoes. It was rather quite amazing actually how that many things could fit into one locker.
(Photo courtesy of http://madhwish.blogspot.sg/)
As soon as we put on our ski boots, oh my god, they were no joke at all! If anything, they were such a huge burden to walk around with. Especially making our way from the locker, going down the tiny (but challenging, when you have those heavy, ginormous and horrifying ski boots on) steps, through the pavement and finally onto the snow. We haven't even got to the skiing part and that was already a work out lah halo!
Because we opted for Ski Set A, this was us freeloading off the group during the beginner's ski class. Our guides were really nice as we could see both of them tried really hard to assist us as much as they could so we'd understand and ushered us to join the rest so you know what they say, rezeki jangan ditolak.
Despite the language barrier, the Korean ski coach was able to teach us the basics we needed to know about skiing. There was so much they could teach but honestly, the rest is you.
Like the say, practice makes perfect. Of course lah how to be perfect right after practicing for a few hours. Far from perfect but we managed to get the hang of it after a while hahaha. Definitely a lot easier than surfing in Bali!
So apparently, to slow down, we were taught to make an "A" shape. But honestly, when you're panicking.. what "A" shape? Am I right?!
Important tips to take note:
1) When skiing down a slope, you would need to maintain your skis in a V-shape alignment like an arrow pointing forward. To slow down your rate of descend, all you would need to do is to widen the rear of the V shape to add more resistance. This is very crucial to maintaining control over yourself during the descend. A lack of control would probably result in you accelerating so fast you would easily flip, trip and kiss the snowy ground or crash into something/someone in your path.
2) When you find yourself losing control or when you anticipate an unavoidable obstacle in your way during the descend, fall sideways immediately. The snow is soft so it won't hurt you. It is better than hitting head-on with something, trust me.
3) If you do fall, remove your skis before attempting to get up. It is very hard to get into a standing position with your skis from a sitting position unless you have big muscles. Then again, you could twist your ankle rather easily too.
4) Supposedly you have taken off your skis and intend to put them on again somewhere along the slope after a fall, align your ski perpendicular to the direction of the slope first unless you would like to end up doing a perfect split on the snow.
(Source of reference, http://redpincers.blogspot.sg)
This legit looks like the ice you get when you order ice-kacang or jelly cocktail.
It was so hard to continue skiing here because well.. the artificial snow was just crap. We were feeling the pro-skiers vibe hahaha so we decided to try the Ballad (Beginner) slope. The snow was so much softer and it really made a lot of difference skiing here compared to the Blues.
(Photo courtesy of http://img.hanyouwang.com/)
Logically, the smoother the snow, the faster you'll go so you'll need to focus more on your control. Turning helps to slow you down but it won't stop you so you're going to have to turn your skis so they face across the hill and not down it. There was a lot of multi-tasking and it was extremely tiring but I did noticed it was a lot easier if you just go with the flow.
Should you lose control, don't fight the fall! You will most definitely fall while skiing but falling on snow is still a better alternative. And when you do fall, fall body first or on your ass. Instinctively you would want to use your hands to stop your fall but never, never, ever do that.
If you're an avid K-drama fan, you'll know this scene from Episode 6 of The Legends of the Blue Sea.
Yes, they filmed at the same location we went skiing at! Although we didn't get to go to Yongpyong like Goblin and Ji Eun Tak did but at least this place was blessed with Lee Min Ho's presence lol!
Half an hour before meeting up with the rest of the group, we returned our skiing gears and rested for a bit. On the bus ride back to the city, everyone pretty much slept as soon as they got to their seats. We were just dead beat.
If you're planning on a ski trip here, just across is Daemyung Resort Vivaldi Park, equipped with a wide range of leisure facilities including the water park Ocean World, ski slopes, a golf course, and shopping mall.
Located in the basement, away from the cold, facilities include a supermarket, sports shop, art hall, screen golf, game room, shooting range, karaoke, billiard room, table tennis room, bowling alley, gallery, clinic, bookstore, pharmacy, beauty parlor, and kids’ club. Also, the condos provide direct access to the ski slopes, adding more convenience for those visiting this ski resort.
Although Vivaldi Park Resort is internationally renowned for it's ski facilities, nearby is also the very popular, Ocean World Water Park.
For more info: https://www.daemyungresort.com/
I couldn't be more glad that the bus dropped us off at the same pick-up location this morning. I cannot stress enough how important it is to take a package tour because I honestly cannot imagine taking public transportation and sitting through the long train ride back. Oh, the horrorrrr!
Unfortunately, Kai's Mum got hurt while skiing so his parents decided to head back to the apartment for some rest. For the rest of us, it was still early and it'd be a complete shame to end the day off just like that so....
We went to Myeong-dong for some street food and of course, dinner.
(Photo courtesy of http://www.omaralattas.com/)
How to get here: From Myeongdong Station, Exit 6 or 7 and walk straight. When you come across the ABC Mart, opposite, turn right onto the small alley in between Frisbee (with an Apple store logo) and eSpair stores, there you'll see Busan Jib on your right!
Bulgogi and Octopus Hotpot set, ₩40,000 (Small) ₩60,000 (Large).
We also ordered some japchae or chapchae (korean glass noodle stir fry with meat and vegetables) which is a very popular Korean dish and their oyster omelette pancake (sadly, no picture for this one but so good and were gone in seconds).
Ended the day off with some light shopping and finally got to try this super pretty Milky Bee rose ice-cream! Next up, Day 6 - Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village & Insadong!
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