Hello, Everyone! Have you been waiting for our recommended events for January, the first month of 2026?
January marks a fresh start, and while the Korean winter is chilly, it is filled with festivals more vibrant than ever. For our international friends living in or traveling through Korea, Vijob has carefully curated a list of secret winter spots that locals love to visit in January.
From the thrilling sensation of a bite on the ice to breathtaking snow sculptures and adrenaline-pumping ski resorts—check out these hidden gems to truly experience the best of Korea this January!
🏔️ 1. Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival: "A Giant Fantasy Handcrafted by Humans, a Real-Life Winter Wonderland"
This isn't just a festival; it’s the moment Taebaek, the highest city in Korea, transforms into its most glamorous self. Come and witness the magic as thousands of tons of snow turn into massive castles and legendary creatures.
📅 Festival Period: Jan 31, 2026 (Sat) – Feb 08, 2026 (Sun)
📍 Venue: Taebaeksan National Park (Danggol Square), Hwangji Pond, and Geumryongso area
📍 Address: 162, Cheonjedan-gil, Taebaek-si, Gangwon-do
🎟️ How to Join: Entrance is free! Certain activities, like the giant snow sled or ice slides, require a ticket which can be purchased on-site for a very reasonable price of 3,000 to 5,000 KRW.
🌟 Highlights:
Giant Snow Sculpture Exhibition: Sculptures over five times the height of a person, created by artists from around the world. Photos in front of these are guaranteed to blow up your Instagram!
Igloo Café: Don’t miss the unique experience of sipping warm tea inside a house made of real ice.
Taebaeksan Snowflower Hiking Contest: The grand finale of the festival takes place on January 25th. Feel the essence of Korean winter mountains as you hike through peaks covered in white frost.
🔥 Vijob’s Secret Tip:
Dress Warmly: Taebaek is one of the coldest cities in Korea. Layering is a must—think Heattech + light down jacket + long padding. Don’t forget to keep heat packs (hot packs) in both pockets!
Use the Shuttle Bus: During the festival, shuttle buses run frequently from Taebaek Station/Terminal. Taxis can be hard to find, so be sure to check the bus schedule.
Hidden Night View: Head to 'Hwangji Pond' in the city center at night. The colorful lights create a romantic atmosphere completely different from the daytime.
❄️ 2. [Cheongyang] Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival: "The Alps of Korea, Secrets of the Giant Ice Walls"
Looking for a 'Korean Frozen' world that makes you forget the real world for a moment? Here is why this small village in Chungcheongnam-do becomes a global hotspot every winter!
📅 Festival Period: Jan 01, 2026 (Sun) – Feb 22, 2026 (Sun)
📍 Venue: Alps Village area, Cheongyang
📍 Address: 175, Cheonjangho-gil, Jeongsan-myeon, Cheongyang-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
🎟️ How to Join: You can purchase tickets at the on-site ticket booth. You can choose to buy a ticket just for sightseeing/photos or one that includes sledding!
🌟 Highlights:
Giant Ice Fountains: Water shooting dozens of meters high freezes instantly to form massive ice walls. Taking a photo here will make you look like a polar explorer!
Activity Heaven: From snow sledding and ice sledding to ice bobsledding—everything is ready to give you an adrenaline rush.
🔥 Vijob’s Secret Tip:
Roasted Chestnut Experience: Try roasting chestnuts yourself over a wood fire. The crackling sound and the savory aroma are incredibly healing.
Outfit Recommendation: The area near the ice walls is very slippery, so waterproof boots are highly recommended. Wearing bright colors will make your photos pop against the blueish ice walls!
⛸️ 3. Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Trout) Ice Festival: "CNN’s 7 Wonders of Winter"
This is Korea’s premier winter festival, attracting over a million visitors annually. It is especially famous for having the best services for international tourists in Korea.
📅 Festival Period: Jan 10, 2026 (Sat) – Feb 01, 2026 (Sun) (Expected)
📍 Venue: Hwacheoncheon Stream area, Gangwon-do
🎟️ How to Join: There is a dedicated fishing zone for foreigners! Just show your passport, and you can enjoy fishing in a comfortable, uncrowded area without a prior reservation.
🌟 Highlights:
Ice Fishing: The thrill of pulling a trout through a hole in 30cm-thick clear ice! Even beginners can catch one easily with the help of on-site guides.
Bare-hand Fishing: For the brave—dive into the icy water in shorts and try to catch a trout with your bare hands. It's exhilarating just to watch!
Night Magic, Lantern Street: At night, the town of Hwacheon transforms into a fantastic city of light with tens of thousands of trout-shaped lanterns.
🔥 Vijob’s Secret Tip:
Instant Grilling Service: Take the trout you caught to the grilling center! For a small fee, they will grill it over a wood fire for you on the spot. You can also have it as sashimi.
Foreigner-Only Lounge: Don't freeze! Head to the international lounge for heaters, free tea, and multilingual assistance.
Hwacheon Love Gift Certificate: When you buy an entrance ticket, you receive part of the amount back as a 'Hwacheon Love Gift Certificate.' This can be used like cash at local restaurants or convenience stores, so don't throw it away!
🎿 4. Jisan Forest Resort: "The Closest Snowfield to Seoul, a Silver Run After Work"
Jisan Resort is a magical place you can reach in just 40 minutes by car from Gangnam! It’s the perfect spot to head to when you feel restless after classes or work. It’s the best choice for international friends who want to enjoy dynamic winter sports without traveling all the way to deep Gangwon-do.
📅 Season Period: Opening early Dec 2025 – Early March 2026
📍 Venue: Jisan Forest Resort (Icheon, Gyeonggi-do)
🎟️ Participation Guide: Book a shuttle bus in advance to travel comfortably from major spots in Seoul (Hongdae, Gangnam, etc.). Also, check the website for special foreigner-only discount packages!
🌟 Highlights:
Midnight & Early Morning Skiing: Skiing down the slopes under brilliant lights is incredibly romantic. Since they operate until 2–4 AM, you can experience Korea’s unique and energetic night culture!
Slope-side Snacks: Eating hot fishcake soup and cup noodles after a run is the definition of happiness for locals. Don't skip this "K-ritual"!
🔥 Vijob’s Secret Tip:
Thermeden Spa Combo: Just 15 minutes away is 'Icheon Thermeden,' Korea's first German-style spa. Soaking in an outdoor hot spring after skiing is the ultimate way to melt away fatigue.
Weekday Night Peace: Weekends can be crowded. If possible, go on a weekday night. You might feel like you've rented the entire slope for yourself!
🎿 5. Mona Yongpyong (Yongpyong Resort): "The Cradle of Korean Skiing and the Alps of Asia, a Silver Miracle on Balwangsan Mountain"
Do you know where the very first ski resort in Korea was established? It’s none other than Yongpyong Resort in Pyeongchang! As a main venue for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, this place is a sacred ground for Korean skiers. It has also gained worldwide fame as the filming location for legendary K-dramas like Winter Sonata and Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin).
📅 Season Period: Opening late Nov 2025 – Mid-March 2026
📍 Venue: Mona Yongpyong (Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do)
📍 Address: 715, Olympic-ro, Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
🎟️ Participation Guide: Be sure to check the official website for exclusive foreigner-only season passes and rental discounts. You can also travel comfortably by using the regular shuttle buses departing from Seoul.
🌟 Highlights:
Balwangsan Mountain Cable Car: Experience the longest cable car in Korea (3.7km) as it takes you to the summit of Balwangsan Mountain at 1,458m. The scenery of the snow-covered yew tree clusters is truly mystical and ethereal.
Rainbow Paradise Slope: This is the longest slope in the country, accessible not only to experts but also to intermediate skiers. Feel the thrill of gliding as if you are running above the clouds!
Thousand-Year-Old Yew Forest Trail: Even if you don't ski, it's perfectly fine! The Skywalk and the wooden deck trails at the summit are the ultimate spots for capturing the "photo of your life."
🔥 Vijob’s Secret Tip:
Museum DeepDive: After skiing, visit the media art exhibition hall "Museum DeepDive" located within the resort. The magnificent feast of light will melt away the cold from your body and mind.
Hwangtae-haejang-guk (Dried Pollack Soup): The Daegwallyeong area, where Yongpyong is located, is famous for Hwangtae. A bowl of hot dried pollack soup at a nearby restaurant will make the winter chill disappear instantly!
Active adventures are great, but sometimes you just want to clear your mind in a quiet space. If you are looking for a weekend in January that balances warm shopping with a calm, aesthetic "rest," stay tuned. ✨
Are you tired of the same old places everyone goes to? We have a list of hidden, aesthetic "secret cafes" in Myeongdong that are so beautiful you’ll want to keep them off your Instagram just to save them for yourself. You'll be surprised to find such peaceful spaces in the heart of the city.
In our next article, we will unveil 'The Myeongdong Secret Cafe Guide' to make your January even more special. Please look forward to it! If you have any other places you're curious about, feel free to leave a comment anytime. 😊☕️🍂