HWACHEON, Jan. 7 (Korea Bizwire) — With just five days until the opening of the 2025 Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mountain Trout) Ice Festival, organizers are accelerating preparations as a recent dip in the mercury has turned Hwacheon Stream, the festival venue, into solid ice.
According to Hwacheon County officials on January 6, the region is bracing for a sharp temperature drop, with forecasts showing temperatures falling to -11 degrees Celsius on January 7, -10 on January 8, and plunging further to -17 on January 9. The cold spell is expected to persist through the festival’s opening, with predicted lows of -15 on January 10, the day before the opening, and -14 on opening day.
County officials report that the two-kilometer stretch of Hwacheon Stream designated for ice fishing has frozen to a thickness that ensures the festival can proceed safely. The ice at the reserved fishing areas is already 30cm thick, and officials anticipate it will approach 35cm by opening day—ideal conditions for ice fishing activities.
Festival organizers are implementing comprehensive safety measures, including careful management of upstream water flow and velocity. Disaster rescue teams conduct daily inspections to monitor ice conditions below the surface.
Taking advantage of the early freeze, Hwacheon County and the festival’s organizing foundation, Nara, began drilling fishing holes on January 4. Meanwhile, mountain trout collected from across the country are being acclimated to local water temperatures at a fish farm in Nonmi-ri, Hanam-myeon, before their release into the festival waters.
“Safety is our top priority for the Sancheoneo Festival,” said Hwacheon County Mayor Moon-soon Choi. “We are making every effort to ensure an exceptional festival experience.”
The preparations follow recent heavy snowfall on January 5, which required extensive clearing operations to maintain access to the festival grounds.
Image credit: Hwacheon County / photonews@koreabizwire.com
