"Public Officials Cleared It All"...Crowds Flock to Sancheoneo Festival Despite Heavy Snow

Heavy Snowfall on Opening Night... Most Snow Cleared Before Opening on the 11th
Ice Fishing, Snow Sledding, Skating, and Bobsleigh Programs in Full Operation

The 2026 Ice Nation Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival is demonstrating the true qualities of Korea's only global winter festival by responding perfectly to heavy snowfall.

Yonhap News Agency

On January 10, the opening day of the festival, a heavy snow advisory was issued in the Hwacheon area, and thick snow began to fall in the afternoon.

After snow continued through the night, by the early morning of January 11, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival site was transformed, as if covered by a massive white blanket.

However, from early morning, dozens of pieces of equipment and personnel were mobilized, and the ice field-equivalent to the size of 40 soccer fields-quickly began to return to its original state.

Hwacheon County and the Nara Foundation attached snow removal equipment to amphibious vehicles and swiftly transported the collected snow outside the venue.

In the early morning of the 11th, the second day of the opening, snow removal work is being carried out at the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival site. Provided by Hwacheon County

Thanks to these efforts, from 8:30 a.m., when the fishing area opened, tourists were able to enjoy the festival programs as scheduled.

All programs operating on the ice, including the spacious ice sledding and snow sledding areas, the ice bobsleigh, and the ice soccer field, also began without any disruptions.

On the second day of the opening, the 11th, tourists are enjoying ice fishing at the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival venue where snow removal work has been neatly completed. Provided by Hwacheon County

The walkways on both sides of the festival grounds were also neatly cleared, allowing visitors to move safely without slipping.

Tourists were amazed by the swift and thorough response of Hwacheon County and the Nara Foundation.

Kim Youngjin (55), who visited the festival with his family from Gwangju in South Jeolla Province, said, "I had made a reservation for the fishing area, but I was really worried it would be chaotic because of the snow forecast yesterday. When I actually arrived, I was surprised at how well the snow had been cleared. At first, I thought soldiers had done the work, but when I heard it was done by public officials, I could hardly believe it."

Park Dojun (25), who came from nearby Chuncheon, said, "My family and I had promised to visit the festival a year ago, but we were worried because of the heavy snow. We arrived at the festival early this morning, and we were able to enter the fishing area with almost no delay and are having a wonderful time together."

On the second day of the opening, the 11th, tourists are enjoying ice fishing at the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival venue where snow removal work has been neatly completed. Provided by Hwacheon County

Choi Moonsun, Mayor of Hwacheon County, said, "If the snow piles up and hardens, it becomes difficult to maintain the ice field," adding, "Above all, we are carrying out rapid snow removal work to ensure the safety of our visitors."