Each winter in Korea, I find myself wanting to finally give skiing a shot. But between budget concerns, scheduling conflicts, and sheer hesitation, the plan never quite materialized. The closest I had been to a slope was volunteering at the Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics in 2024—which, let’s be honest, is not the same as actually skiing.

That all changed when K-campus graciously held the Phoenix Snow EAT STUDY LOVE Scholarship—and luckily I won two tickets, which also meant I had no more excuses. It was time to hit those slopes!

Spoiler alert: I was not ready for what came ahead.

This is a 100% unfiltered guide to skiing at Phoenix Park as a complete beginner—what I loved, what I didn't, and what I wish someone had told me before I got there. It is not meant to discourage you from skiing but to help keep expectations grounded, if you're also a beginner.

1. Skiing looks cool on social media—but is a humbling experience IRL

I went in expecting to at least get a decent ride on the slopes. Well, turns out you actually need someone to teach you and the instructions given by a friend who can ski simply won't cut it.

On my very first attempt, I somehow managed to:

✅ Fall flat on my back

✅ Get my skis tangled so I couldn’t move

✅ Hit my head on the ground

If you're a first-timer, expect to fall. A lot. Which is actually pretty entertaining once you stop taking yourself so seriously.

Would I do it again? Absolutely— on the one condition of taking a beginner ski lesson.

2. Invest in the right gear

1. Ski gloves matter. Cheap gloves from Daiso will leave your hands freezing. If you don’t want to invest in an expensive pair, layer two pairs of gloves, or rent better ones at the resort for 18K~.

2. Ski boots are HEAVY. Walking in them feels so weird at first—especially on stairs or icy paths. They aren’t slippery (thankfully), but they do make you waddle until you get used to them.

3. If you wear 2XL or bigger, be prepared to pay extra. Korean ski rentals cater mostly to smaller sizes, so expect limited options or higher prices for plus-size gear.

4. Comfort over aesthetics. You'll move a lot, so make sure your outfit isn’t too tight or restrictive. Trust me, mobility matters way more!

P.S: The cheapest place to rent Ski gear is called 알파인 (Al-Pa-In), a rental shop 5 minutes from Phoenix Park. However, please note that there's a tiny hill in front of the store which I wasn't ready for once I wore those skiing shoes. It's best that you may leave your backpack there and only take the essentials like hot packs, lip balm, phone, and your card.