Korea is one of the safer places in the world to travel alone. What solo women should still know before heading to a rural ski resort: late-night drinkers, where to stay, restrooms and the numbers to save.
The short answer is yes. South Korea is widely regarded as one of the safer countries to travel in, and many visitors are surprised to see people leave phones and laptops on cafe tables while they order. Heading alone to a rural ski resort is a little different from walking around Seoul, though, so here are the details worth knowing.
Violent crime against tourists is rare and theft is uncommon. The thing solo women mention most is far more mundane: older men who have had too much to drink. Late in the evening at a barbecue restaurant, a tipsy ajusshi may try to start a loud conversation. It is usually harmless, just tiresome. Don't engage, move to another table, or ask staff for help. Restaurant staff deal with this all the time.
In rural areas, many of the cheapest places to sleep are motels. Some are so-called love motels with dim lighting and unusual decor. They are generally clean and secure, but you may not find them comfortable. Guesthouses and resort condos are brighter, have front desks staffed around the clock, and are full of families, which makes them a more relaxed choice for a solo traveller. Our accommodation guide compares the options.
You may have read news stories about hidden cameras (molka) in public toilets. Korea has made this a serious crime and local authorities run regular inspections of public restrooms. Even so, the easiest precaution is to use the toilets in resort hotels, ski houses and main lodges, which are busy, well staffed and kept clean, rather than isolated roadside facilities.
Save 112 for police and 119 for fire and ambulance. The 1330 Korea Travel Hotline gives tourist help and interpretation in English and several other languages. The government's Emergency Ready app pushes disaster alerts and shelter information in English, which is useful in heavy snow. On the slopes, ski patrol is the fastest help; our medical safety guide covers clinics and insurance.
Yes. Women ski alone in Korea every weekend, and the cold is a bigger daily concern than crime. Use the same common sense you would at home, stay somewhere you feel comfortable, and keep the emergency numbers handy. If you're unsure about going solo in general, read skiing in Korea as a solo traveler.