Winter Fun in South Korea: A 6-Day Ski Trip for a Singaporean Family

There's nothing quite like experiencing outdoor skiing in winter. And that's exactly what a family of seven from Singapore planned last year. The Tan family - their parents in their sixties, their three adult children, and two lively young grandsons – intended to go skiing in South Korea in December.

But as I carefully read their list of requirements, my mind instinctively started racing.

"Hoping the whole family can stay together," "need ski resorts suitable for both seniors and children," "preferably arrange private instructors". These seemingly ordinary requests could each pose a significant challenge at popular South Korean ski resorts during peak tourist season.

What worried me even more was that they sent the email less than three weeks before their planned travel date. All I Want for Christmas Is You is around the corner.

I stared at the computer screen. Satisfying the different needs of three generations while securing sought-after ski resorts and hotels before the Christmas holidays. This was a challenging task, and I knew I had to find a way to make this trip a reality.

Finding the Perfect Ski Resort for the Whole Family

Mr. Tan specifically mentioned in his email that outdoor skiing was the highlight of this trip. I could understand their longing for outdoor skiing, as Singapore only has an indoor ski slope, which, while having good facilities, is ultimately different from outdoor venues with views of forests and snow-capped mountains.

But here was the problem: the family's skiing experience varied greatly. The grandparents had never skied before, the two young grandsons had only played at an indoor ski slope a few times, while among the three adult children, only the eldest son had skied a few times. They needed a ski resort that could cater to both beginners and those with some experience.

I spent two whole days researching major ski resorts in South Korea. Yongpyong Ski Resort in Gangwon-do ultimately emerged as the best choice. It offered gentle slopes suitable for beginners, as well as more challenging intermediate slopes. More importantly, the resort had comprehensive supporting facilities, including a children's ski school, hot springs, restaurants, and even an indoor playground. I was confident that everyone in this Singaporean family could find enjoyment there.

To ensure they had a fun and safe experience, I pre-booked private ski instructors for them, specifically grouping family members by their different skill levels for instruction. The two young grandsons were enrolled in children's ski classes, while the grandparents opted to try sledding and simple ski lessons on the gentle slopes. Mr. Tan's eldest son, on the other hand, excitedly expressed his eagerness to tackle the steeper slopes.

Resolving a Hotel Double-Charging Issue

In her initial communication, Mrs. Tan emphasized an important requirement: "We hope to stay in adjacent rooms, preferably connecting rooms, so it's easier to take care of the elderly and the children." This request was not easy to fulfill during the peak ski season, especially since family suites at Yongpyong Ski Resort were already in high demand.

I contacted several hotels and finally found a family suite and two adjacent standard rooms within the resort, ensuring the whole family could stay together. To make their check-in smoother, I confirmed the room arrangements with the hotel in advance, and my request for "family travel, requiring adjacent rooms" received a definite confirmation.

However, the unexpected still happened.

When they arrived at the hotel to check in, the front desk staff mistakenly believed they hadn't paid for their rooms and asked them to pay again. Mr. Tan was stunned on the spot. They had clearly prepaid in full, so why were they being asked to pay a second time? He immediately messaged me, his tone full of confusion and dissatisfaction.

"Why are we being charged again?"

I immediately contacted the hotel manager, verified the booking records, and provided proof of payment. It turned out that due to a system synchronization delay, the hotel front desk hadn't seen the record of their payment. After some communication, the hotel acknowledged the error and quickly adjusted the bill. Mr. Tan breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Luckily we had you; otherwise, we might have paid an unfair amount of money."

Besides skiing, the Tan family also wanted to experience South Korea's traditional culture and modern cities. Therefore, in the two days before they arrived in Seoul, I arranged visits to classic attractions such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, and Jogyesa Temple, while also ensuring that the daily activities weren't too packed, giving the seniors and children enough time to rest.

On their last day in South Korea, Mrs. Tan specifically messaged to thank me: "The kids had a blast at the ski resort, and the elders have fallen in love with Korean kimchi. Most importantly, our family could stay close together, and we could even gather in one room at night to chat, just like at home."

Before returning to Singapore, Mr. Tan emailed me:” Bonnie, thank you so much! Our family has such lovely skiing memories from this trip, and the prompt resolution of the hotel situation showed us your and your team's excellent care and professionalism. "

When a family can laugh together, overcome difficulties together, and enjoy the journey together, that's the most precious part of travel. I’m ready to recommend more ski trips to other travelers!