The Korea Herald

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Yongpyong to kick off annual ski festival

By KH디지털2

Published : March 2, 2016 - 14:28

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Under the theme of “Endless Friendship,” this year’s 34th annual Yongpyong International Ski Festival will be kicking off its winter sports festivities from March 4 to 6 at the Yongpyong Resort in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province.

An annual winter sports event and competition for foreigners living in Korea, the Yongpyong International Ski Festival was first held in 1983 for the development of the domestic ski culture and takes pride in being the nation’s only international ski festival.

A scene from last year’s 33rd annual Yongpyong International Ski Festival, at the Yongpyong Resort in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. (Yongpyong Resort) A scene from last year’s 33rd annual Yongpyong International Ski Festival, at the Yongpyong Resort in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. (Yongpyong Resort)

Approximately 300 participants from 25 different countries participate in its ski competitions each years. Aside from race participants, special festival discount coupons that offer savings of up to 50 percent for lift tickets and sports equipment will be available for purchase on March 4.

A festival gala party is scheduled for Saturday evening and will include a medal presentation ceremony, a national table decoration competition and other cultural events.

A scene from last year’s 33rd annual Yongpyong International Ski Festival, at the Yongpyong Resort in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. (Yongpyong Resort) A scene from last year’s 33rd annual Yongpyong International Ski Festival, at the Yongpyong Resort in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. (Yongpyong Resort)

Located in the heart of Pyeongchang, which will host the 2018 Winter Olympics, Yongpyong Resort was the country’s first ski resort when it opened in 1975. Since then, the resort has grown to become one of the country’s premier winter sports destinations offering Korea’s largest ski and snowboarding facilities, including the most slopes that exceed 1,000 meters above sea level.

For more information on the upcoming 34th annual Yongpyong International Ski Festival, call (02) 3270-1230.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)