Thinking of renting a car in Seoul to drive to the slopes? Black ice, all-season rental tires, weekend traffic on the Yeongdong Expressway and the real cost explain why the bus wins.
So you're an adventurous driver. You've driven in the Alps. You've driven in the Rockies. You think, "I'll just rent a car in Seoul and drive to High1."
I strongly advise against this.
Driving in Korea is chaotic enough in the city. Driving in the mountains during winter is a different beast entirely. Here is why you should cancel that rental car reservation and take the bus.
1. The "Black Ice" Factor
Korean winters are dry but cold. This creates "black ice", a thin, invisible layer of ice on the asphalt.
- The Danger: You are cruising at 100 km/h on the highway. Everything looks dry. You hit a patch of black ice in the shadow of a tunnel. You spin.
- The Rental Car Issue: Many rental cars in Seoul come on all-season tires, not winter tires. They are close to useless on ice. If you do rent, ask specifically for winter tires or snow chains.
2. Navigation Nightmares
- Google Maps: Has long offered only limited driving directions in Korea. Don't rely on it behind the wheel.
- Car GPS: Often Korean only.
- Naver Map / KakaoMap: They work, but following voice instructions while dodging fast-moving taxis on a winding mountain road is... stressful.
3. The Weekend Parking Lot
If you drive on a Saturday:
- The Traffic: The Yeongdong Expressway from Seoul to Gangwon can turn into a multi-hour parking lot.
- The Resort: Finding a space at Vivaldi Park or Mona Yongpyong on a weekend can take a long time, and you may end up parking far from the base and walking.
4. The Cost
Rough figures, per day:
- Rental: Around $100 for a car big enough for skis.
- Fuel: Not cheap.
- Tolls: Around 20,000 KRW (roughly $15) for a Seoul to Pyeongchang round trip.
- Total: Easily $130 or more.
- Shuttle Bus: A round-trip seat usually costs a fraction of that.
Han's Verdict
Unless you have a specific reason (like four kids and ten bags), do not drive.
Someone else deals with the ice, the traffic and the parking, and you get to sleep on the way. Be smart. Take the bus. Here's how to get to the slopes without a car.