Konjiam Resort
Located at the foot of Taehwasan Mountain in Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, Konjiam Resort is an LG Group integrated resort that opened in December 2008. On one site, it features the largest ski resort in the Seoul metropolitan area, Hwadam Forest, a botanical garden named after Chairman Koo Bon-moo’s pen name, Konjiam Luge 360°, a family spa, and a 462-room condominium. About 40 minutes by car from Seoul’s Gangnam district, it is suitable for both day trips and one-night, two-day getaways.
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LG's integrated resort built at the foot of Taehwasan Mountain in December 2008
Gonjiam Resort is an LG-affiliated integrated leisure facility located at 278 Docheokwit-ro, Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, in Doweung-ri 534beonji. It is operated by D&O, an LG affiliate, and its registered name is '(week)D&O GonjiamCCResort'. Because of its name, it is easy to mistakenly assume that it is located in Gonjiam-eup, but it is actually near Gonjiam IC rather than in Gonjiam-eup.
The ski resort opened in December 2008 in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do, the closest part of Gyeonggi-do to Seoul. The courses were designed by the American company WAT&G and include two beginner slopes, four intermediate slopes, two intermediate-to-advanced slopes, a ski lesson zone, and a snow-sledding area. Among visitors, it acquired the nickname 'Donjiam,' implying that its fees are expensive compared with the quality of the facilities. It is also explained as meaning that although the ski resort is expensive, it is worth the money. This is reportedly because the facility was originally created for LG Group employees rather than primarily as a commercial venture. In fact, employees of LG affiliates receive a 70% discount. After Bearstown, Starhill Resort, and Yangji Pine Resort stopped operating, the number of visitors to Gonjiam Resort increased.
Hwadam Forest — an arboretum named after Chairman Koo Bon-moo's pen name, open from late March to late November
Hwadam Forest is an arboretum established and operated by the LG Sangnok Foundation as part of its public-interest projects. Its name comes from the pen name of the third chairman of the LG Group. Hwadam (和談), Chairman Koo Bon-moo's pen name, means walking through the forest while having a friendly conversation. The cremated remains of Chairman Koo Bon-moo are buried near Hwadam Forest in the form of a tree burial, and a memorial stele dedicated to him stands in the pine garden within the forest. The bonsai garden on the grounds is also called 'Sangnam Bonsai Garden,' after the pen name of Koo Cha-kyung, the second chairman of the LG Group. The arboretum consists of 17 themed gardens and displays approximately 4,000 species of native and introduced plants. 
Hwadam Forest reopens in late March every year after its winter closure for the protection of the natural ecosystem and operates throughout the four seasons until late November. Its regular operating hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with last admission at 5:00 p.m. During the autumn foliage season, hours are adjusted to 08:30–18:00 from October 24 to November 2 and 08:30–17:00 from November 3 to 16, with last admission one hour before closing. It is closed every Monday. Admission is 11,000 won for adults, 9,000 won for seniors and teenagers, and 7,000 won for children; infants under 24 months enter free. To prevent overcrowding, admission is limited to 10,000 people per day according to time-slot capacity, and a 100% advance online reservation system is operated. From 2025, tickets are sold through NOL. For transportation within the grounds, a 1,213-meter loop monorail connects the western moss garden entrance, the summit, and the bonsai garden, and the full journey takes approximately 20 minutes. The grounds were also designed with gently sloped deck paths, allowing visitors with strollers or wheelchairs to tour without using the monorail.
11 slopes and 5 lifts — the largest ski resort in the Seoul metropolitan area
Gonjiam Ski Resort was already considered one of the largest in the metropolitan area when it opened. It is the largest ski resort in the Seoul metropolitan area, with slopes covering 123,000 pyeong (approximately 400,000㎡), a vertical drop of 330 meters, a total course length of 6.8 kilometers, and a longest course of 1.8 kilometers. It currently has 11 slopes of various grades and five high-speed lifts. On its 10th anniversary in 2018, it introduced the country's first RFID technology along with an online reservation system, the time-based lift ticket 'Me Time Pass,' and a rental dualization system. It was praised for changing ski culture to be more skier-centered. 
The slope names have changed several times. On December 8, 2022, all the slope names were changed: Hani became Whisen, Whistle became Why Not, Windy became ThinQ, Zeta became Gram, and Gale became CNP. In 2025, ThinQ was renamed PuriCare, Gram became ThinQ, and Whisen became Gram. The usage system is also distinctive: time-based passes allow visitors to use the slopes freely during their chosen time period, while a slope capacity system limits the number of visitors admitted during each time slot. Tickets must be reserved online through the website or the Gonjiam Resort app, as there are no on-site ticket booths. Tickets can be printed at unmanned kiosks or used as mobile tickets through the app without printing. However, groups, former members, seniors, people with disabilities, national merit honorees, and residents of nearby areas (Doweung-ri and Gungpyeong-ri) can obtain tickets at an on-site ticket booth.
Gonjiam Luge 360° — a 1.9-kilometer track and Korea's first 360-degree rotating tunnel
The luge facility converted the ski slope area into a summer leisure attraction. Designed as an activity-based leisure facility for families, friends, and couples, it features a track on the ski slopes with a total length of 1.9 kilometers and an average width of 4.5 meters. It has two sections with 360-degree rotating tunnels, the first of their kind at a resort in Korea. At night, LED lighting illuminates the area around the track, while 3,000 LED roses light the approach route. 
Fees are 16,000 won for one ride, 27,000 won for two rides, and 39,000 won for three rides per person. Children under 10 or shorter than 135 cm may ride with an adult guardian. Operating hours vary by day: Tuesday–Thursday, 10:00–18:00; Friday–Sunday and public holidays, 10:00–19:00. It is closed every Monday and does not operate during rainy weather. A 2025 visitor review said that the experience was quite thrilling and fun.
Family Spa (Spa La Spa) — 1 indoor pool and 4 outdoor pools
The swimming pool facilities are located in the basement of Clock Tower Plaza. Spa La Spa (Family Spa) is the swimming pool facility within Gonjiam Resort. From Clock Tower Plaza, take the elevator opposite Jejus and go down to the second basement level. There is one indoor pool and four outdoor pools, each with a different temperature. The safety rules are clear: children shorter than 130 cm must wear life jackets and must also wear swimming caps before entering the water. Outside food is difficult to bring in, but there is an indoor food court inside the pool area, and sunbeds are available free of charge. 
During the summer peak season, last admission is at 18:30 and the pool closes at 19:30. The child admission category covers ages 24 months to 13 years, while infants under 24 months enter free. The contact number is 031-8026-5600. A 2025 visitor review mentioned that the admission fee was somewhat disappointing because it was expensive, but guests receive a 50% discount. It also noted that, apart from the spa, the facilities are outdoors and therefore slightly chilly compared with indoor facilities. 
A 462-room condominium and dining facilities including La Grotta
The accommodation buildings were constructed in a North American condominium style. The condominium consists of 462 rooms in three buildings and four themed room sizes, with three themes based on a boutique hotel concept. Check-in is after 15:00 and check-out is before 11:00. Guests checking in after 22:00 must contact the resort front desk in advance at 031-8026-5430. 
The dining establishments are concentrated around Clock Tower Plaza. On the outdoor first floor are BBQ Chicken, Kisoya, which serves udon and pork cutlets, Staff Hotdog, Baskin-Robbins, and chocolate and coffee shops. There are also the Mirasia buffet and the Korean restaurant Damha. The resort also has the cave wine restaurant La Grotta and banquet halls. La Grotta was the first Korean restaurant to receive an award from the internationally renowned Wine Spectator. According to 2024 information, the food court operated from 11:00–19:00 on weekdays and 11:00–20:00 on weekends (Fridays, Saturdays, and the day before a public holiday), while Damha operated from 07:30–10:30 for breakfast, 11:30–14:30 for lunch, and 17:30–21:00 for dinner. Each establishment charges separately, with additional fees applied when used. 
Five minutes from Gonjiam IC, but the access road is narrow — how to get there
It is relatively easy to reach by car. It is five minutes from Gonjiam IC on the Jungbu Expressway, so it can be reached from Seoul's Gangnam area in approximately 40 minutes. However, the final section is narrow. Although the nearby Gonjiam IC is an advantage, the access road is a narrow two-way local road with only one lane in each direction, and snow removal is not always thorough, so it can be congested during peak season. Fortunately, the time-based lift ticket system prevents cars from concentrating at particular times, helping traffic flow smoothly. 
For public transportation, a shuttle bus runs to Gonjiam Station. The local bus route runs in the order of Gonjiam Sports Park–Gonjiam Station–Gonjiam Bus Terminal–entrance to Gungpyeong-ri Village–Hwadam Forest (Gonjiam Resort). During ski season, there is also a paid pickup shuttle from Seoul. The fare is 20,000 won one way or 38,000 won round trip per person. It departs from the entrance to Lotte Mart Zeta Flex at Exit 4 of Jamsil Station and arrives in front of the Gonjiam Ski Resort shuttle bus sign at Parking Lot 4. As an example for the 2024/25 season, departures from Jamsil were at 08:00, 11:00, and 14:30, while departures from Gonjiam were at 09:30, 13:00, and 18:00. The timetable changes each season, so advance confirmation is necessary.
When and with whom is it best to visit?
According to a compilation of reviews, satisfaction with visits to Hwadam Forest in spring and autumn is mentioned more favorably than winter skiing. The ski resort is called 'Donjiam,' meaning that although it is expensive, it is worth the money. Reviews repeatedly state that visitors feel more satisfied visiting Hwadam Forest in spring and autumn than during the winter season. During the peak seasons of spring and autumn, all sections of Hwadam Forest may sell out early, so it is best to reserve promptly. In winter, some reviews say that lift wait times do not exceed five minutes even from late December to early January, allowing visitors to enjoy skiing with relatively little crowding.
It may not suit travelers who are highly price-sensitive. The facilities are among the finest of any resort in Korea, but the drawback is that usage fees are correspondingly high. Conversely, it has many strengths for families with children. A 2025 visitor review noted that, because many visitors come as families, the resort has well-equipped kids' and game zones, providing spaces where children can play indoors. Important preparations include making an advance online reservation when visiting Hwadam Forest, remembering that children shorter than 130 cm must wear life jackets at the swimming pool, and noting that the ski resort has no on-site ticket booth, so a smartphone app or advance reservation is required.
Before You Go
- Address
- 278 Docheokwit-ro, Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do
- Hours
- Varies by facility — Hwadam Forest Tuesday–Sunday 09:00–18:00 (last admission 17:00, opening at 08:30 during the autumn season), closed every Monday / Family Spa last admission 18:30 and pool closes 19:30 / Ski resort and luge vary by season and day (check website notices)
- Closed
- Hwadam Forest: every Monday and winter closure from December to March / Luge: every Monday and during rainy weather
- Admission
- Hwadam Forest: adults 11,000 won, seniors and teenagers 9,000 won, children 7,000 won (free for infants under 24 months) / Luge 360: 16,000 won for 1 ride, 27,000 won for 2 rides, 39,000 won for 3 rides / Ski lift tickets vary by time slot
- Phone
- Main number 1661-8787 / Ski inquiries 031-8026-5780 / Front desk 031-8026-5430 / Family Spa 031-8026-5600
- Official site
- https://www.konjiamresort.co.kr
- Transport
- Five minutes by car from Gonjiam IC on the Jungbu Expressway (approximately 40 minutes from Seoul's Gangnam area) / shuttle bus from Gonjiam Station / during ski season, paid pickup shuttle from Exit 4 of Jamsil Station (20,000 won one way, 38,000 won round trip, reservation required)
- Parking
- Free parking is available in multiple areas, including the Hwadam Forest parking lot; lots may be full during peak periods such as the autumn foliage season
- Time needed
- Half a day for a walk through Hwadam Forest (5.3 km trekking trail); skiing and snow sledding can be adjusted with time-based lift tickets; at least one night and two days recommended for an overnight stay
- Accessibility
- The grounds of Hwadam Forest have gently sloped deck paths, allowing visitors with strollers or wheelchairs to tour without using the monorail
The information above is accurate as of the time of writing. Please check the official information again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 5
-
1
Hwadam ForestAn arboretum where you can enjoy seasonal scenery while walking through themed gardens -
2
Gonjiam Ceramic ParkA themed park where visitors can enjoy ceramic-making experiences, exhibitions, and leisurely walks. -
3
Gyeonggi Ceramic MuseumA museum where visitors can explore exhibitions of traditional Korean ceramics and an outdoor sculpture park. -
4
TaehwasanA mountain where you can enjoy a light hike along forest trails and take in the scenery from the ridgeline. -
5
Gonjiam Saenghwal Cheyuk ParkA park where visitors can enjoy light exercise and relaxation on the soccer field and walking paths.
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