Skip to content
Weather

❄️ Winter: dry cold and empty palaces

Seoul winters are sharp and dry, not Seattle-damp. Heat-tech, a real coat, and shoes with grip matter more than a fashion puffer that sheds feathers on the subway.

Feel: Seoul can sit well below freezing with wind. Busan is milder. Jeju is windy and wetter. Indoor everywhere uses ondol (floor heat) — hotel rooms can feel tropical at night; learn the panel.
Palaces in snow are the postcard. Paths ice over — walk like a penguin. Some mountain trails close.
Ski: east-coast / Gangwon resorts are a bus or KTX + shuttle. Day-trip possible, overnight nicer. Rent gear there unless you already own it.
Hotels are often cheapest in deep winter except Christmas–New Year and Lunar New Year weeks. Check holidays.

Lip balm and hand cream are not optional. Indoor heating is desert-dry.

Packing → When to visit →