Some may think that the best way to enjoy winter is to curl up on the sofa. But even for couch potatoes, it will not be easy to resist the many fun fetes Korea offers. Gangwon-do, famous for its beautiful snow-covered scenery, allures tourists with its fabulous winter festivals. They vary in theme and features - from ice fishing to sleigh rides.

Inje Ice Fish Festival

The 12th Inje Icefish Festival will be held this winter on Soyang Lake in Inje, Gangwon Province. Soyang Lake is the largest fresh-water lake, formed by the water flowing from Mt. Seorak and Naerin Stream. Icefish, also known as smelts or sweet fish, are small silvery fish that only live in cold water. The winter is the best season to experience the taste of icefish. The festival holds various events such as a fishing competition, ice bowling and ice soccer tournaments. The festival offers English, Chinese and Japanese translation services and many events that both locals and foreigners can enjoy. Programs for foreigners include a fishing contest and a sleigh ride on the frozen lake. The festival runs from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2. For details, call (033) 460-2082 or visit www.injefestival.co.kr

How to Get There: Take a bus to Sinnam Terminal. It takes about three hours. A free shuttle bus runs from there to the Inje Icefish Festival.

Sancheoneo (Mountain Trout) Ice Festival

Gangwon-do invites visitors to fish mountain trouts in Hwacheon-gun. Mountain trout, also known as cherry salmon or masou salmon, is a native Korean fish that lives in fresh waters. At the festival, visitors can enjoy the unique experience of catching the fish by sticking their bare hands into a hole on the frozen Hwacheongang. The festival holds many events such as a fishing contest, ice sleighing, bobsleighing, ice biking and bumper car rides. There is also a creative sleigh-making contest. Snow sculptures and fireworks at night add to the merry ambience. The festival runs from Jan. 10 to 27. For details, call (033) 441-7575 or visit www.narafestival.com/icenara/

How to Get There: There is a bus that runs from Seoul to Hwacheon. On train, get off at Chuncheon station and take a bus from there. In both cases, it will take about three hours from Seoul to Hwacheon.   

Daegwallyeong Snow Festival

The Daegwallyeong Snow Festival, arguably the biggest winter festival in Korea, will take place in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do, in January. More than 20 events will be held, including ice fishing, hunting, dog sleigh rides, igloo experiences and half-naked marathons. More than a hundred snow sculptures will be displayed all over Daegwallyeong. Unique experiences will be held at sheep ranches nearby. The festival runs from Jan. 15 to 19. For details, call (033) 330-2761 or visit www.snowfestival.net

How to Get There: By bus or train, get off at Hoenggye Bus Terminal. It takes about two and a half hours from Seoul.

Taebaeksan Snow Festival

Various events will be held in the highlands of Taebaek, 800 meters above sea level, at Mt. Taebaek Provincial Park, Hwangjiho and the city of Taebaek, Gangwon-do. The 16th Mt. Taebaek Snow Festival includes a snow sculpture exhibition, an outdoor concert and a fireworks show. It also offers various family-friendly programs such as dog sled rides, a curling competition and snow train rides. The festival runs from Jan. 30 to Feb. 8. For more information, call (033) 550-2081, 2828 or visit festival.taebaek.go.kr/part2/home/html/main.html

How to Get There: By train or bus, get off at Taebaek. It takes four and a half hours by train and three and a half hours by bus from Seoul.

Goseong Myeongtae Festival

The Goseong Myeongtae Festival is to be held around Geojin harbor, the only Myeongtae fishing spot in Korea, located northeast of Gangwon-do. Myeongtae, meaning Alaskan pollack, is a fish mostly caught during the winter season. The festival is all about myeongtae, promoting events like the myeongtae throwing game, a street parade with people wearing costumes made of myeongtae and the myeongtae tower game. The festival's edge comes from the beautiful scenery of the winter sea. It will have a fireworks show by the sea each night, creating a romantic mood for couples visiting Geojin harbor. The festival will operate free boat rides. It runs from Feb. 21 to 24. For more information, call (033) 680-3221 or visit www.myeongtae.com

How to Get There: Take a bus to Geojin terminal. It takes about four hours from Seoul.

By Park Min-young
KOREA, December 2008