Affordable Winter Theme Parks in Seoul... Opening One After Another

Operating in Various Areas Including Nowon, Seocho, Songpa, and Seongbuk
Residents of Other Districts Pay Fees... Diverse Activities Like Snow Sledding and Experiences Available

Families are experiencing ice fishing for smelt at a winter theme park. (Photo by Nowon District Office)

Winter play facilities that the whole family can enjoy in downtown Seoul are opening one after another this week. These facilities are located throughout Seoul, so you don't have to deal with long-distance traffic jams, and many places are inexpensive or free, so there is no need to worry about your budget.

Nowon-gu in Seoul is opening a snow sledding hill at the comprehensive sports ground inside Seoul National University of Science and Technology in Gongneung-dong on January 1, the New Year's Day. The snow sledding hill will operate for one month until January 31, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The Nowon snow sledding hill was very popular last year, attracting over 60,000 visitors during the operating period.

For safety, the snow sledding hill is separated into adult and children zones, and other programs such as an ice rink, snow playground, ice fishing, game play zone, and traditional experience center are also provided. Admission is free for Nowon residents, SeoulTech students and staff, and children under 36 months, while visitors from other areas are charged 2,000 KRW. Last year, more than 22,000 visitors came from outside the district.

Seocho-gu has created a snow playground at Yangjaecheon Swimming Pool in Yangjae-dong, operating until February next year. The snow playground covers a total area of 6,400 square meters and can accommodate up to 1,100 people. The swimming pool features a large snow sledding hill, and the 125-meter diameter lazy river has a snowball (air ball) play area. Nighttime tree and light decorations are also attractions.

A greenhouse where visitors can escape the cold has been separately prepared, and 16 safety personnel are deployed to ensure safety, according to Seocho-gu Office. The usage fee for residents is affordable at 1,000 KRW.

Songpa-gu operates the "Haha Hoho Olympic Snow Sledding Hill" at the Peace Plaza in Olympic Park from January 1 to February 8. A large-scale snow sledding hill is installed at the Peace Gate Plaza, with an 80-meter-long slope for youth and a gently sloped 40-meter small slope separately prepared so that infants to teenagers can safely enjoy it.

The snow playground is equipped with a snow playground, igloos, photo zones, and a curling experience zone, allowing visitors to enjoy curling, which is usually difficult to experience. During this period, 17 staff members including safety personnel, facility managers, and nursing staff are stationed on site.

Ice rink prepared by Nowon-gu, Seoul. (Photo by Nowon-gu Office)

Seongbuk-gu opened the "Seongbuk-gu Winter Theme Park" on the 22nd at the multipurpose plaza by Uicheon in Seokgwan-dong and in Gireum-dong. At the Uicheon multipurpose plaza, six lanes of an 80-meter-long snow sledding hill were installed, where visitors slide down using tube sleds. Ice sledding hills operate at two locations: the Uicheon multipurpose plaza and in front of Gireum-dong Complex 7. Here, visitors can experience traditional sleds and unique sleds. Various attractions such as ice fishing, curling, traditional games, and children's rides provide fun for the whole family.

Admission is free for Seongbuk residents, but visitors from other areas must pay 5,000 KRW for the Uicheon multipurpose plaza and 3,000 KRW for the area in front of Gireum-dong Complex 7. After admission, the snow sledding hill, snow playground, and traditional sleds can be used free of charge.

Seongdong-gu opened the "Rainbow Children's Snow Sledding Hill" on the 20th at the site of the Rainbow Garden in Haengdang-dong, operating until February 8 next year. The snow sledding hill utilizes a garden that is not used in winter. The sledding hill features a small slope 10 meters wide and 40 meters long, and a large slope 15 meters wide and 80 meters long, accommodating various age groups from toddlers to elementary school students.

The snow sledding hill operates from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a capacity of about 500 people admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. It is closed every Monday. Admission is free for Seongdong residents, but visitors from other districts pay 4,000 KRW. Some experience programs are operated for a fee.

Each district's efficient operation stands out by utilizing university sports grounds, swimming pools, plazas, and other facilities as winter play areas. Seongdong-gu plans to restore the Rainbow Garden site to its original state after the snow sledding hill operation ends to ensure smooth garden operation.

Since there are differences in holidays, operating hours, usage fees, and operating periods and facilities by location, it is necessary to check in advance through the district office website or official blog.