MONA YONGPYONG

Gangwon Province stretches along South Korea's northeastern spine, a mountainous region that has long served as the country's escape from the urban intensity of Seoul. The Taebaek Mountains run through this territory like a granite backbone, their peaks catching the cold Siberian air that sweeps down from Manchuria each winter. This is where Korea comes to ski, but it's also where the country's ancient Buddhist traditions have found refuge in remote temple complexes hidden among the peaks.

The 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics transformed this region from a relatively obscure domestic destination into an internationally recognized winter sports hub. The infrastructure investments were massive—high-speed rail connections, world-class venues, and upgraded roads now make what was once a challenging journey from Seoul into a seamless 90-minute bullet train ride. Yet despite this modernization, Gangwon Province retains its character as Korea's wilderness frontier.

The region's ski history dates to the 1970s when Mona Yongpyong first opened, making it Korea's oldest and largest ski resort. The combination of reliable snowfall, proximity to Seoul's 25 million residents, and government investment in winter sports has created a ski culture unlike anywhere else in Asia. Night skiing isn't an afterthought here—it's the main event for many Korean skiers who drive up after work and ski under brilliant floodlights until nearly midnight.

Beyond the Olympics and skiing, Gangwon Province holds deep significance in Korean consciousness. This is where many of the country's most sacred Buddhist temples were built, seeking isolation in the mountains. Woljeongsa Temple, just minutes from the ski areas, has stood since 643 AD, its elegant stone pagoda rising above ancient pine forests. The juxtaposition of cutting-edge Olympic venues and millennium-old temples creates a uniquely Korean experience.

The food culture of Gangwon Province reflects its mountain heritage. This is the home of makguksu, buckwheat noodles served cold with spicy sauce—a dish that originated with farmers in these highlands. After a day on the slopes, many Korean skiers gather around sizzling Korean BBQ grills, drinking soju and sharing the communal dining experience that makes Korean après-ski culture so distinctive.