South Korea — In 2018, the future of South Korea’s ski industry looked bright. The Winter Olympics brought the world’s attention to Pyeongchang and the country’s ski industry. Six years later, things aren’t going well for ski resorts in the country.
The Korea Times reports that the number of active ski resorts and skier visits per year is down substantially. The causes of this downturn are warming winters and a declining and aging population.
During the 2011-12 season, skier visits were more than 6.8 million. However, these numbers have dropped, with only 3.8 million skier visits during the 2021-22 season. The ski industry has tried to recruit younger people to participate in the sport, but disasters from social events (i.e., the tragic trampling at Seoul’s Halloween party in 2022) have led some to take up gaming or more remote outdoor activities instead.
Over the past decade, five ski resorts have closed in South Korea. This includes Star Hill Resort, which closed in 2021. According to the ski resort, the closure was due to a “decrease in the ski population and a decrease in winter business days due to global warming.”
“Korean ski resorts rely 90 percent on artificial snow, and the machines can make artificial snow when the temperature drops below minus 3 degrees Celsius,” said an industry insider to The Korea Times. “As the weather gets warmer, ski season is being delayed and shortened, causing profitability to deteriorate.”
The ski industry in Asia is at a crossroads. China’s ski industry is rapidly growing, as their large population has led to the opening of various new ski resorts across the country. However, their primary target market is domestic travelers, so the success of these rapid growth plans is uncertain. Due to a declining and aging population, Japan’s ski industry is also facing some struggles. However, unlike South Korea, Japan is known for its frequent snowfall, which has led to more international visitors and planned investments that could rekindle the interest of foreign and domestic travelers. There’s also the impact of climate change on all these mountains, with slopes at lower elevations likely facing eventual closure.
In addition, not every ski facility used for the Olympics in South Korea is still operating. The Jeongseon Alpine Centre hosted the Downhill and Super-G skiing events. However, once the Olympics ended, the ski center closed. The trails were closed following the Olympics, and the land is slowly being returned to nature. This was always the plan, but having such a premier skiing facility close for good makes traveling to Korea less desirable for international ski tourists. It also decreases the likelihood that South Korea could host a Winter Games again.
Ultimately, it seems like ski resorts need to invest in modern technology, and the government should also invest in them. An official from the Ski Resort Business Association of Korea told the Korea Times that it’s now time to help these mountain outs before it is too late:
“The ski resort has a far-reaching influence on job creation and economic revitalization in mountainous areas. The government and local municipalities should start fostering and protecting ski resorts.”
Image/Video Credits: Yongpyong Resort, Lost Then Found 로스트 덴 파운드, Skimap.org
