High1 Grand Hotel
by the TopOfHotel team
High1 is the highest ski resort in Korea at 1,340m, sitting right beside Kangwon Land — the only legal casino Koreans can enter.
High1 is the highest ski resort in Korea at 1,340m, sitting right beside Kangwon Land — the only legal casino Koreans can enter.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Most reviewers book the High1 Grand Hotel Main Tower, where a Standard room runs 38 sqm at about $132 a night. The look is brown and gold, classic-luxury rather than modern, with a King bed (200×200cm), a desk, a sofa, a minibar and a 55-inch TV. The marble bathroom has a jacuzzi tub, a rain shower, a Toto Washlet and L'Occitane toiletries. The big windows look straight out at Baegunsan Mountain, the pine forest and the slopes — ask for floor 12 or higher for the clearest view. If you want to spend less, the 4-star High1 Convention Hotel starts around $98.
Food and amenities
There are seven restaurants across the resort, plus a 24-hour dining option inside the casino for late nights off the tables. Beyond skiing, High1 Snow Tube and the High1 Golf Resort stay open year-round, and the resort has its own hospital and shopping mall on site — handy if you're settling in for a long stay rather than a weekend.
Location and getting there
This is the furthest of Korea's major resorts from Seoul. The usual route is the KTX from Seoul Station to Sabuk Station — roughly 4 hours, about $21 — then the resort's free 15-minute shuttle. There's also a direct bus from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, around 3 hours for about $23. You pay for the distance in travel time, but you get it back in deep snow and cold that drops to around -15°C — conditions the lower resorts simply can't deliver.
Things to know before booking
The skiing is the point: 17 slopes split into 4 beginner (green), 9 intermediate (red) and 4 advanced (black), with a day lift pass around $66. Two days is a good plan — mix beginner and intermediate runs on day one, then take the High1 Top Slope at 1,340m on day two, where on foggy mornings you can genuinely ski inside the clouds. Because it's the highest resort, there's more natural snow and less reliance on snow machines, and the season stretches the longest in Korea, November to April. The flip side: it leans adult and casino-focused, so it's not the pick for families with young kids, and peak rates run high.
Our take
High1 Grand Hotel is the strongest choice for serious skiers and adults who like a casino. You get the highest resort in Korea at 1,340m, 17 slopes, the most natural snow, a five-month season, and Kangwon Land a short covered walk away — the one casino in the country locals can actually use. It scores 8.5/10 from 3,800+ reviews, and from about $132 a night it's strong value for intermediate and advanced skiers who want the real thing.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Korea's highest resort at 1,340m, which means the most natural snow and the longest season in the country, running November to April.
- 17 slopes covering every level: 4 beginner (green), 9 intermediate (red) and 4 advanced (black), so you can ski two full days without repeating much.
- The Kangwon Land casino is right next door over a 5-minute covered walkway, and it's the only casino in Korea that locals are allowed to enter.
- High1 Snow Tube and the High1 Golf Resort stay open year-round, so the place isn't dead the moment the snow melts.
- Two room tiers to pick from: the 5-star High1 Grand Hotel and the cheaper 4-star High1 Convention Hotel from around $98 a night.
- It's about 3 hours from Seoul — the furthest of the major resorts. You take the KTX to Sabuk Station then a free 15-minute shuttle, or a direct bus.
- Not ideal for families with young kids. The whole place leans adult, with the casino as a big part of the draw.
- Peak-season rates climb because casino travelers fill the rooms, so book early if you want the lower prices.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Insider Tips
- The Mugunghwa KTX from Seoul to Sabuk Station takes about 4 hours and costs roughly $21 — slower but cheaper than the bus.
- Kangwon Land is open 11:00 to 04:00 with a minimum bet of about $1; bring your passport or ID, since you can't get in without it.
- Book floor 12 or higher for the clearest view of Baegunsan Mountain and the pine forest below.