CONQUER THE ASIAN ALPS
Conquer The Asian Alps - Luxury Travel Magazine
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Conquer The Asian Alps | |||||
| By: Katia Iervasi, Issue 47 – Winter 11 | |||||
| (InterContinental Alpensia – Pyeongchang, South Korea) | |||||
| THE LAUNCH OF A NEW FIVE-STAR SKI RESORT PLACED SOUTH KOREA FIRMLY ON THE LIST OF THE WORLD’S LUXURY SKI DESTINATIONS. KATIA IERVASI REPORTS. | |||||
| SKI PYEONGCHANG | |||||
| South Korea has always had the elements to make it a key player on the world ski scene: rolling snow-capped mountains, hundreds of feet of slopes and in some places fresh snow for most of the year. Until last year, it had attracted its share of the world’s ski enthusiasts but had failed to appeal to those looking for luxury lodgings. Now the county of Pyeongchang, 180 kilometres east of Seoul, is the world’s newest luxury ski destination thanks to the opening of the five-star ski resort, InterContinental Alpensia. The launch of the hotel and Pyeongchang’s facelift was partly to bolster the county’s bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics but it has also revitalised the region and turned it into a must-visit on the list of every ski enthusiast. In Pyeongchang, South Korea now has the facilities to compete with the well-known and much loved European ski resorts. It has dubbed itself the Alps of Asia, a reference to the incredible scenery of the European Alps, but in South Korea it of course has a distinctly Asian tone; the panoramic surroundings (including the snow-capped peaks of the Taebaek Mountains and the Mount Baekdu) have a quintessentially Asian landscape character which is accentuated by charming Korean-style villages nestled among the mountains. | |||||
| WHERE TO STAY | |||||
| The InterContinental Alpensia, which opened in late 2009/2010, is the only five-star complex in the Korean ski fields. The resort and village was purpose built to Olympic standards and it offers a list of activities that includes six snowboarding and skiing slopes to choose from, including a 1.4km slope reserved for beginners or the not-so-confident, and a ski jumping tower that is the largest in Korea and has become a landmark because of its prime position in the picturesque snow-scape. Super fit skiers will be challenged by Alpensia’s cross-country circuit that is said to be the most gruelling in Asia. There are also plenty of other ways to get sporty at Alpensia that don’t involve bundling up in snow gear. Adventure seekers can hit the X-Game, which is all about testing your limits, and keen golfers can have a putt at the resort’s greens, the Troon Country Club or the Alpensia 700 Golf Club. Children and the young at heart can make a splash at the modern Ocean 700 Water Park and catch some awesome views of Pyeongchang as they go down the slides. The hotel’s alpine-style village setting also gives it a perfect apres-ski ambience. The hotel’s wellness centre houses the I-Spa, with six treatment rooms, a sauna and an outdoor hot tub. The hotel has its own retail village which houses specialty and global brand shops. It also has plenty of places to refuel, dine, and wine between activities or after a long day. There are three food courts in the Alpensia Village that have all the typical fast food chains as well as cafes. In the InterContinental itself, there are two main dining options. Flavours is an Italian-style restaurant serving buffet and à la carte all day from an open show kitchen. The Oxy Lounge has floor to ceiling windows, an open fireplace and serves snacks and cocktails all day, and afternoon tea. The rooms and suites are elegant and spacious. Guests can choose from the King, Junior, Executive, Deluxe, Alpensia or Presidential suites and all classes of suites have mod cons like flat screen televisions, iPod stations and high-speed internet. Guests who stay in the deluxe suites and above get free drinks, free breakfast, free daily newspaper delivery and other benefits in the Club InterContinental Lounge. The resort is family friendly with room configurations including twin rooms and adjoining suites. Planet Trekkers kids club will occupy the kids as will enrolling them in the ski school. | |||||
| RATES | |||||
| At the InterContinental, room rates start from KRW152,000 (A$132) per weekday night, and KRW169,000 (A$146) per weekend night. | |||||
| GETTING THERE | |||||
| Korean Air flies directly from Sydney to Seoul’s Indochin International Airport on a daily basis, and from Melbourne and Brisbane three times a week. The flight time is approximately 10 hours 20 minutes from Sydney, 10 hours 40 minutes from Melbourne, and 9 hours 30 minutes from Brisbane. Return economy airfares start from A$1,531 per person and business class from A$4,265. | |||||
| koreanair.com | |||||
| The InterContinental Alpensia resort is a three and a half hour drive from the airport. While there is an Airport Railroad Express, an Airport Bus and taxis available, the most comfortable and efficient option would be a car transfer. OneLimo Seoul organises luxury transfers between any hotel and destination in South Korea. You can make a reservation by calling +1 281 829 9819 and keep in mind that you must book your transfer 48 hours before. Alternatively, the Royal American Limousine Service also operates in South Korea. To book, call +1 786 207 4424 at least 24 hours before you are scheduled to need the transfer. | |||||
| WHEN TO GO | |||||
| The Pyeongchang area enjoys an extended winter which lasts from November to March. During these four to five months, the weather is cold, dry, and perfect for a ski holiday. | |||||
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