Daegwallyeong
Snow Flake Fest
Evokes Memories
of Old Days

Coincides with Dream Program and 2007 PyeongCahng INTERSKI Congress

             
The Daegwallyeong Pass area in Haenggae-ri, Doam-myeon, PyeongChang-gun, Gangwon Province has turned into a fantastic world of snow and ice sculptures for a week from Jan. 31, fascinating a large throng of visitors, including foreigners on the Dream Program, establishing itself as the nation's annual largest snow festival the province offers in a bid to attract domestic and international tourists.
Visitors of the Daegwallyeong Snow Flake Festival were thrilled or were all smiles to recall the romantic memories of the old days as they experienced diverse rides ranging from snow slides to snow rafting. Tourists also got a glimpse into the Eskimo igloo life and other unfamiliar things.
The festival, held between Jan. 31 and Feb. 6, coincided with a ceremony for welcoming the foreign participants of the Dream Program designed to nurture Young winter sports athletes, held Feb. 5. About 140 foreigners are participating in the Dream Program held in Yongpyong Resort and Gangneung Ice Rink from Feb.
          
4 and Feb. 16. The festival was also coincided with the 2007 PyeongChang Interski Congress held in Yongpyong Resort between Jan. 27 and Feb. 3.
An official at the Daegwallyeong Snow Flake Festival said this year's festival has focused on publicizing PyeongChang's bid for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. "The festival will serve as an opportunity for domestic and international tourists to recognize PyeongChang citizens"wishes for hosting the 2014 Olympic Winter Games."Each winter at this time, Gangwon Province, particularly the Daegwallyeong Pass and Mt. Seorak, is covered with snow everywhere. Across the mountains in the province, visitors can enjoy a wide array of events such as ice sculpture contests, climbing ice covered cliffs, and snow sleds like the old days.
The festival, titled "Dazzling Winter, Silvery Crystal Memories,"opened on Jan. 31 with a fanfare of diverse performances, including the traditional reenactment of praying for Daegwallyeong mountain gods, a play of fireworks and a dinner of sharing 2014 bowls of "Hwangtae"(Alaska Pollack dried up in snow) soup, symbolizing PyeongChang's bid for the 2014 Olympics.
Visitors were given a chance to appreciate such diverse performances, including live shows by Indi Band active in front of Hongik University, and the globally-recognized B-boy as well as snow flake climbing and nude marathon competitions.
Spectators also experienced snow sculptures, snow slides, traditional sleighs, snow tunnels, snow mobile and snow rafting as well as traditional plays like a kite-flying competition. nw

The Daegwallyeong Snow Flake Festival shows off unique snow sculptures symbolizing PyeongChang's bid for the 2014 Olympics.

(from above photo) Accompanied by PyeongChang Mayor Kwon Hyeok-seung, former Grand National Party Chairman Park Geun-hye tours the site of the Daegwallyeong Snow Flake Festival. On display is the Eskimo igloo. A traditional Korean percussion band boosts a festive mood.