Snowboarding At Jisan Forest Resort

One of the intermediate slopes at Jisan.

It was AWESOME!

I've never been snowboarding before, or skiing. I've never been to a ski resort either, I'm far too working class for anything so fancy. So you can imagine how excited (and utterly petrified) I felt about going snowboarding [at a real resort!] in Korea [where I have no medical insurance].

We chose Jisan Forest Resort because it's easy to get to and is one of the less busy resorts in Korea. It's about a 2 hour bus ride north of Cheonan, close to Incheon, and the bus there and back was free!

Ric and I went with Claire, our colleague, friend and instructor for the day. We got picked up at 7.30am and arrived at the resort just before 9.30, when the slopes opened.

Claire teacher.

By the time we'd paid, rented, and changed it was 10.30 and we were ready, looking the part in our poorly fitting rental gear.

Fetching.

Once we'd mastered clipping in our boots and gliding around on the flat surface we went straight for the ski lift to the baby slope, where we spent a long time falling down and being unable to get back up again.

Ski lift, lots of fun!

My main concern was crashing into other people. Everyone on the small slope was a beginner, which meant that people were whizzing around not knowing how to stop, scaring the life out of me. Any body watching would have thought I was falling over loads, when in fact, falling over was the only thing I could do to stop! Going too fast! Fall down. Approaching another person! Fall down. About to fall off the side of the mountain! Fall down.

But at least I wasn't the only one...

Face plant!

Eventually we conquered two more slopes, each one higher and longer than the last. Amazingly, by the end of the day, I was able to go all the way down the hillside, like, actually snowboarding! I was so impressed, especially as we'd had no formal tuition and I generally have the balance and coordination of Bambi on ice. 

Worth it for the view alone really.

Ric and I at the top of the slope.

By the end of the day we were exhausted, cold and aching all over. It was a great day. I can't wait to go again.

Claire and I having a snack break at the bottom of the slopes.

Ric and Claire waiting for the ski lift.

Costs:

Transport to and from the resort : free

Full day lift pass : 65,000w (£37)

Full day board rental : 20,000w (£11.50)

Pants rental : 10,000w (£5.50)

Goggles rental : rental : 10,000w (£5.50)

Jacket rental : 15,000w (£8)

Total: 120,000w (£70)

Transport:

The resort runs free shuttle buses to many towns and cities, book on by calling the number on the website.