If you are heading to the Mountain Cluster for the freestyle or downhill events then you’ll need these tips to make life easier.
Phoenix Snow Park at Bokwang is a basic resort, you won’t find glitzy ski shops and five star restaurants, if you want those head to the USA or Europe. You will find a classic Korean country town and all that does not come with it. Alpensia, an hour down the road where the alpine events will be held, does have more stores where you can stock up on beanies and thermals.
Bring cash or a Visa card
ATMs are like hen’s teeth in these parts and Seoul is a couple of hours away. The Bokwang village where Phoenix Snow Park has a couple of ATMs but as Visa is the main Olympic sponsor you’ll need a Visa card or Visa debit card to use them. MasterCard is a strict no, no. Best to load up on cash before heading up here.
Bring a towel, a big one
All hotels have towels but not all towels are created equal. My hotel has four towels but each are the size of a hand towel, enough to barely cover my left butt cheek. So pack a towel, preferably a bath towel, if you have room bring two and call me when you get here.
Pack hand warmers, lots of them
Buy your hand and toe warmers before you get here. Do not consider not having any, you will need them. The Olympic souvenir shops are not open here yet and they may well have warmers on offer. I bought up an entire pharmacy worth of hand and toe warmers at Narita Airport in Tokyo before arriving thanks to a tip off from a friend who was here before me.
You can survive on wifi, everywhere
Most folks purchase a SIM card when arriving but you really don’t need one. The WiFi in Korea is the fastest in the world and there is free wifi everywhere, on the bus, on the train, in the hotel, at your restaurant. Download WhatsApp and communicate with your people via the internet.
Glove Up
Visa have released a NFC equipped winter glove so you can literally pay for things without taking your gloves off, just high five and go. Each glove will be available from February 9 and will have pre loaded amounts in the technology. Trust us, this will be the most coveted item of the Games.
