When to go · Pyeongchang
Pyeongchang in January
Great month. Inside Pyeongchang's best window: Dec–Feb for snow and skiing; May–Jun and Sep–Oct for hiking and the ranches.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Temperature
- 0°C32°F / −10°C14°F
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 5
- Crowds
- Low
- South Korea overall
- Prices
- Low
- South Korea overall
Verdict
Inside Pyeongchang's best window: Dec–Feb for snow and skiing; May–Jun and Sep–Oct for hiking and the ranches.
Weather in January
- PyeongchangHighs around 0 °C, lows around -10 °C, rain on about 5 daysHighs around 32 °F, lows around 14 °F, rain on about 5 days
- Gangwon mountains and east coast, South Korea · Sokcho, Seoraksan, Gangneung, Pyeongchangcool
Coldest region: ski season Dec–Feb, peak autumn colour mid-October in Seoraksan; summer beaches crowded in late Jul – Aug.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Seollal (Lunar New Year) big impact
About 5–8 Feb 2027 (lunar; incl. substitute day — check) · South Korea
Three-plus days off: many restaurants and shops close, trains and buses sold out, palaces open (often free), Seoul quiet.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · South Korea overall
- Low
- Prices · South Korea overall
- Low
South Korea overall: Cold and dry, low prices; ski in Gangwon; Seollal can fall late in the month — check.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket