People wait in line for ski lifts at a ski resort in the Olympic town of Pyeongchang, 180 kilometers east of Seoul, on Dec. 2, 2022, amid cold weather. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — Ski resorts in South Korea are facing the risk of severe financial hardships due to the unpredictability of climate change coupled with the pandemic.
The Ski Resort Business Association of Korea said that only 1.4 million people visited ski resorts in the 2020-2021 season, plunging from 6.8 million in 2011-2012.
Ski resort sales in the 2020-2021 season amounted to 37.6 billion won (US$30 million), no more than one-fifth of sales in the 2012-2013 season.
Among 17 ski resorts that were operating across the country in 2009, six have closed or suspended operations, half of which closed down in the last three years.
With average winter temperatures rising, the number of days that ski resorts are able to open is decreasing.
The average temperature in December and January in the 2019-2020 season, for instance, was 2.2 degrees Celsius higher than average, making it difficult for ski resorts to operate, and soaring operational costs have forced resorts to open for a shorter period.
To overcome the crisis, the ski resort industry is coming up with alternative winter sports that can be enjoyed at ski resorts, and offering discount benefits.
High1 Resort in Jeongseon, Yongpyeong Resort in Pyeongchang, Oak Valley Snow Park in Wonju, and Welli Hilli Park in Hoengseong have created a joint season pass that can be used at all four resorts.
Vivaldi Park introduced an online reservation platform, allowing customers to make reservations and get their tickets quicker at unmanned kiosks without having to line up at the ticketing booth.
Several ski resorts decided to allow customers to buy lift tickets and use them at a time of their choice.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
