As COVID-19 Recedes, Unpredictable Weather... Domestic Ski Resorts Face Challenges

Last Week's Temperatures: 17°C in 17 Provinces, -15°C in Migration Areas
Operational Difficulties Due to Unpredictable Weather
Concerns Over Slowing Popularity Recovery Post-Endemic

"Last week, I was worried because it rained and the weather was warm, but now it's so cold that I'm worried again." (A ski resort official)

Domestic ski resorts are struggling with operations due to fluctuating temperatures. Until last week, spring-like weather with daytime temperatures exceeding 17 degrees Celsius continued, but since the second week of this month, a cold wave has hit with temperatures dropping to minus 15 degrees Celsius. The industry is already expressing concerns that "the unpredictable weather may reduce the number of visitors to ski resorts."

The Yongpyong Resort ski area in Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Province, is bustling with skiers and snowboarders for the weekend. The photo is not related to the content. [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the industry on the 21st, some domestic ski resorts suspended night and early morning operations for as short as three days and as long as a week due to the abnormal high temperatures that continued until last week. These ski resorts reportedly operated partially during daytime hours, closing some intermediate and advanced slopes. They judged that it was difficult to maintain normal operations with snowmaking machines alone as the snow melted due to the high temperatures.

In the case of snow sledding areas, which attract many young elementary and kindergarten children, there were cases of temporary closures. One ski resort that operated a snow sledding area alongside skiing reportedly made this reluctant decision just four days after opening due to the warm weather. This ski resort reopened only on the 20th after snowmaking operations were carried out starting from the weekend when temperatures dropped below freezing.

With temperatures dropping below freezing in the second week of this month, all ski resorts are currently operating normally, but complaints still persist. The sudden cold wave has caused difficulties in operating the lifts. A ski resort official said, "The biggest problem when temperatures fluctuate is the lifts," adding, "If ice forms, it can cause malfunctions and ultimately disrupt operations."

In the past, skiing reigned as the representative winter sport in Korea. However, with no influx of new skiers and abnormal weather phenomena, its popularity has declined. Although the number of skiers has gradually recovered since COVID-19, the shortened operating days due to abnormal climate still act as an obstacle to the recovery of skiing's popularity.

According to the Korea Ski Resort Association, there were 17 ski resorts nationwide at the peak when the skiing population reached 7 million in 2012, but now the number has decreased to 12. While the impact of COVID-19 is a factor, the industry says climate change cannot be ignored. An industry official said, "The reality is that operating days have decreased as winters have become shorter," adding, "If the weather remains as unpredictable as it is these days, ski resort revenues will inevitably decrease further due to increased costs from artificial snowmaking."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.