Frozen river trout beats city winter every time. I like how the tour gives you ice fishing equipment plus a chair so you can focus on the activity, not the shopping list. I also love the payoff at the festival’s grill center, where your catch can become grilled trout or sashimi on-site. The one trade-off: lunch and drinks are not part of the tour price, so you’ll need to plan for food separately.

This is a real winter day in Pyeongchang-gun, one of Korea’s biggest trout producing areas. In addition to ice fishing (open-air or tent fishing), you’ll have time for cold-weather favorites like ice sledding and ice skating, plus other fun rides. Just know that while starting is easy with the provided setup, catching a trout can still take patience.

Key things to know before you go

• All-in-one ice fishing setup: chair rental and equipment come with your admission and guide.
• Two styles of fishing: you can try open-air ice fishing or tent fishing.
• Festival grill center option: once you land trout, you can have it grilled or served as sashimi on-site.
• More than fishing: expect winter activities like sledding, ice skating, and bumper cars (and other winter rides depending on the day).
• Weekdays only from Seoul: the tour runs January 2 to January 29 on weekdays; weekends aren’t offered due to traffic.

From downtown Seoul to Pyeongchang-gun: how the day starts

Your day begins with a meet-up in downtown Seoul, followed by round-trip transportation to the Pyeongchang Trout Festival in Pyeongchang-gun. The value here is that you’re not trying to coordinate buses, transfers, and cold-weather logistics on your own. A professional tour guide also travels with you, which matters once you’re dealing with ice, timing, and equipment.

At the end of the day, you return back to the meet-up area. One detail that keeps things smooth: even though there are multiple start points, there’s a single drop-off point at Hongik University Station for everyone’s convenience.

This kind of day trip is best when you want a true winter experience but don’t want to spend your trip solving transport puzzles. If you already know you like winter activities, it’s a straightforward way to get there and back.

Ice fishing on drilled holes: open-air or tent fishing

The main event is ice fishing on a frozen river. You’ll fish through drilled holes in the ice, using the rods provided as part of the included equipment. You’ll sit in a fishing chair rental setup, which is a big deal because it keeps you comfortable and stable while you focus on the line.

You can choose between open-air ice fishing and tent fishing. Open-air is the classic winter feeling: you’re right in the cold air, watching the ice and water closely. Tent fishing gives you a bit more protection from wind and snow, which can make a long session more manageable, especially for kids or anyone who gets cold quickly.

Now, about expectations: the tour makes the process approachable, but landing a trout isn’t guaranteed. One past experience described it as easy to get started, while the catch itself required effort. That’s normal for ice fishing anywhere—so come ready for a fun try, not a fish-on-demand promise.

The moment your trout becomes a meal: grilling and sashimi

Once you catch your trout, the festival has a dedicated grill center where you can have it cooked. Based on how the experience is described, your trout can be prepared either grilled or served as sashimi. This is one of the reasons I like this kind of festival: you’re not just participating in an activity, you’re also connecting the day’s work to the food you eat.

One practical note: meals and drinks are listed as not included in the tour price. That means lunch isn’t baked into your $41. If you plan to eat a full meal on-site, you’ll want to budget separately, and you should treat the fish grilling as part of what the festival offers once you catch a fish, not as a blanket included lunch.

If you’re picky about timing, aim to eat thoughtfully. You’ll likely want to eat after you finish fishing so you can decide what you want based on what’s available at the grill center.

Winter activities beyond the ice: sledding, skating, and fun rides

The festival doesn’t end at the fishing hole. It’s designed for a full day of winter play, and the activities are built around different energy levels.

You can expect classic winter options like ice sledding and ice skating, plus bumper cars. Those are great choices because they don’t require much instruction beyond basic safety. If you’re traveling with mixed ages, this is where the day becomes easier: while you’re fishing, others can enjoy different activities, and you don’t have to stay frozen in one spot the whole time.

One of the best signs that this is more than a one-activity event: a past experience listed extra winter rides such as snow mobile raft tow ride, snow cat ride, inflatable tube run, and snow cart ride. The exact mix can vary by day, but it tells you the festival day is structured to keep things moving.

For families, this matters. Kids usually do well when they get a second or third thing to do right after the first attraction. For adults, it’s a nice break from ice fishing repetition.

The $41 value check: what you pay for, what you still need to budget

At about $41 per person, the tour is positioned as an equipment-and-transport day. Here’s what’s included: admission, ice fishing equipment, fishing chair rental, round-trip transportation, and a professional tour guide.

That bundle is often where value shows up. Renting rods and gear, paying for admission, and arranging transport can add up fast when you do it alone in winter conditions. Here, someone handles the key pieces so you can arrive and start.

What’s not included is where you should plan ahead. Meals and drinks are separate, and the tour explicitly notes that lunch is not included. Your guide will recommend a restaurant, but you’ll pay for food yourself. If you have diet needs, the tour encourages bringing your own lunch idea—especially if you want full control.

There’s also an optional snack angle. The tour includes Korean seaweed snacks sampled during the tour, and you can purchase more after the experience if you want.

Timing and dates: weekdays only from January 2–29

This is a short window experience: the tour runs from January 2nd to January 29th and only on weekdays. Weekend tours are not available due to heavy traffic congestion, so the schedule is built around getting you there without turning the day into a long ride.

If you’re planning around school holidays or a specific travel window, double-check which day of the week you’re targeting. If your dates are flexible, weekdays can also mean smoother logistics and less waiting.

Packing for the ice: what to bring (and why it matters)

The tour is very direct about what you should bring: gloves, warm shoes, and warm clothing. That’s not just generic winter advice. In ice fishing, your comfort affects your ability to sit still and focus. Cold hands ruin fine motor tasks like line handling, and uncomfortable footwear makes long sessions feel longer.

If you’re thinking practically, dress in layers you can adjust if you switch from ice fishing to other winter rides. You’ll likely be moving between cold open areas and more active attractions, so being able to add or remove a layer is useful.

One more practical tip: make sure you have an instant messaging method for emergency contact on the day of departure, including location finding. That’s especially important in winter travel when weather and finding meeting points can be trickier.

Language and group setup: what to expect with guides and meetings

The tour lists multiple languages: Chinese, English, and Korean. In real life, language match can depend on which guide and group you’re assigned. One previous experience noted that a guide didn’t speak English, even though that was known ahead of time. My takeaway: if you need English for comfort, you should confirm the guide language as part of your planning and set expectations.

Group setup also matters. The tour recommends booking together to stay in the same group, because separate bookings may lead to different group assignments.

Meeting points can vary depending on the option you book, but you’ll return to the area with that Hongik University Station drop-off convenience. If you like clarity, take a screenshot of your exact meeting point before you go and arrive a little early.

Who this day trip fits best (and who might skip it)

This tour is a strong match if you want:

• A guided ice fishing experience with equipment handled for you
• A winter day that mixes the main activity with other fun stops
• Something family-friendly that includes activities for all ages

It’s also a good fit if you don’t want to gamble on arranging cold-weather gear and transport while you’re visiting Korea.

You might consider skipping if:

• You’re extremely sensitive to cold and don’t want to spend extended time outdoors
• You’re counting on a guaranteed fish catch (ice fishing is still fishing)
• You need a strictly English-speaking guide no matter what, since language can vary by group

Should you book the Pyeongchang Trout Festival day trip?

I think this is a smart booking if you’re chasing an authentic winter day and you like the idea of trying ice fishing without handling logistics. The included gear, transport, and guide take the hardest parts out of the planning, and the festival format gives you more to do than just fish in silence.

Book it if you’re traveling with kids or a group with mixed interests, because the sledding, skating, bumper cars, and possibly extra winter rides make it feel like a full outing. Skip it only if cold weather or separate meal budgeting will stress you out.

If you do book, bring the warm basics the tour asks for, plan your lunch separately, and go in ready to enjoy the process. When it works, it’s a very satisfying mix of hands-on winter fun and fresh trout food.

FAQ

What is the price and what’s included?

The price is listed as $41 per person, and it includes admission, fishing chair rental, ice fishing equipment, round-trip transportation, and a professional tour guide.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included. The guide will recommend a restaurant, but you pay for food separately.

Do I get to fish, or is it just watching?

You’re set up to participate. The tour includes ice fishing, and you can try both open-air ice fishing and tent fishing.

Can I eat the trout I catch?

Yes. The festival has a dedicated grill center where your trout can be grilled or served as sashimi on-site.

What are the available travel dates?

The tour is available from January 2nd to January 29th on weekdays only.

What should I bring for the ice fishing?

Bring gloves, warm shoes, and warm clothing. The tour also advises having an instant messaging method for emergency contact on departure day.