Ready for a perfect day on the snow?
Staying at the High1 Palace Hotel makes getting to the slopes part of the experience.
Here’s a simple guide to getting from your room to High1 Top by gondola.
☀️ Morning Prep: Getting Ready in the Room
Around 7:30 AM, the first light of dawn began to break over the mountains.
I took a moment to soak in the view with a hot cup of drip coffee and a light breakfast. It’s the best way to wake up before hitting the cold air!
After some quick stretching and a generous layer of sunscreen, I suited up in my ski gear.
Pro tip: Always keep your ski boots inside your warm guest room. If you leave them in a cold car or locker, the plastic hardens, making them incredibly difficult to put on and uncomfortable to wear.
🚠 From Guest Room to Gondola Station
I headed out around 8:40 AM. The elevator was buzzing, stopping at almost every floor to pick up fellow skiers and snowboarders. We all did the "gear shuffle," being careful not to bump our skis against each other.
Once you hit the 1st floor, walk straight toward the Palace Hotel Healing Lounge. You’ll see clear signs for the "Untankodo Cable Car" (Gondola) right ahead.
Just follow the signs and head up the escalator to reach the boarding platform.
There are ski/board lockers next to the escalator, but they were under renovation during my visit, so be sure to check the current status when you arrive!
🚉 At the Gondola Station
The Observation Lounge
Inside the station, there’s a seating area where you can relax and enjoy the panoramic mountain views while waiting for your group.
There’s already a line.
Even at 8:40 AM—before the gondola officially started running—a line had already formed. Koreans are famously diligent when it comes to being first on the slopes! Operating hours for the Palace Gondola are 09:00 to 16:00.
Season Pass Validators & Restrooms
You’ll find the season pass scanners on the right side of the platform entrance, with restrooms located conveniently right next to them.
Storage Lockers
The lockers now accept card payments! It’s a huge upgrade from the old days of fumbling for coins. It’s very convenient for storing extra layers or bags.
Boot Changing Area
There are two wooden benches tucked behind the lockers. This is the designated spot to swap your walking shoes for your ski boots if you didn't put them on in your room.
🏔️ The Ride to High1 Top
The ride from the Palace Hotel to High1 Top takes about 15 minutes. After about 10 minutes, the iconic High1 Top building starts to peek through the clouds. Time flies when you're distracted by the breathtaking snowy landscapes of the High1 slopes visible through the window.
⚠️ What if the Gondola Stops?
Safety first! In the event of high winds or poor weather conditions, gondola operations to the Palace Hotel may be suspended. If this happens, don't panic—you can use the High1 Shuttle Bus to return to the hotel.
However, the bus route is much longer and involves waiting outdoors, which can be a bit tiring after a long day of skiing. I highly recommend grabbing a copy of the shuttle bus timetable at the front desk just in case!
I hope this post was helpful to you. See you again!