The Sparkling Thrill of Winter Ice Fishing: Trip to the Yangpyeong Ice Trout Festival
Introduction
When the winter wind brushes your cheeks with a chill and your breath turns white in the air, it finally feels like the festival on the ice has begun. On the wide frozen lake spread across the fields of Soomi Village in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do, silvery schools of fish glide beneath the thin ice, and the laughter of people gathered around the ice holes spreads through the clear air. A single trout leaping from water cold enough to freeze your hands becomes a special moment that will define this winter.
The Sparkling Thrill of Winter Ice Fishing: Trip to the Yangpyeong Ice Trout Festival
Table of Contents
- Guide
- Program Information
- Visitor Impressions (and Plans)
- Accommodation Suggestions
- Restaurants & Cafés
- Nearby Attractions
- Getting There
- Conclusion
- Photo Snapshots
- Videos
- Related News
Guide
- Event Name : Yangpyeong Ice Trout Festival
- Period : December 6, 2025 ~ March 1, 2026
- Hours : 10:00 ~ 17:00 (some performances and activities run 10:00 ~ 16:00)
- Venue : Area around 55-2 Gobdani-gil, Bong sang 2-ri, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do (Soomi Village)
- Admission : Paid (Ice smelt dome package 10,000 won, ice minnows dome package 10,000 won, ice trout dome package 17,000 won, etc.)
- Organizer : Soomi Village Agricultural Corporation
- Host : Yangpyeong Ice Trout Festival Organizing Committee
- Inquiries : 031-775-5205 (Soomi Village Agricultural Corporation)
- Address : 55-2 Gobdani-gil, Bong sang 2-ri area, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
- Note : Some programs may be changed or restricted depending on ice conditions and weather.
- 10:00 Enter the festival grounds and warm up your hands with a light activity—try netting smelt or ice smelt fishing to get used to the atmosphere on the ice.
- 11:00 Use an ice minnows dome or ice trout dome package to enjoy relaxed fishing in the warmth of a dome while thawing out your body.
- 12:30 Join the handmade steamed bun and pizza-making experience run by local villagers. Enjoy lunch while taking part in an indoor activity and giving yourself another break from the cold.
- 14:00 Take on the bare-hand trout catching experience and feel the icy current and the strength of the live trout with your whole body.
- 15:00 Race across the fields and snowy scenery with the kids on the white kids’ snow sled hill, the barrel train, and the four-wheeler (ATV) ride.
- 16:00 Browse the flea market and winter snack stalls for a quick bite, and take photos with the sunset fields and frozen lake as your backdrop.
Since there are various admission fees and package options, it’s more efficient to plan your budget and schedule in advance.
Soomi Village in Yangpyeong is a rural experience and recreation village in “pure-water” Yangpyeong, designated as a top-tier “Excellent Village” for its highest ratings across activities, lodging, and food. Throughout the year, the village offers green rural experiences that make use of farm produce and the beautiful natural environment. In winter, it hosts the Yangpyeong Ice Trout Festival, centered on smelt and trout, offering a special countryside winter trip on the ice.
The festival grounds feature smelt netting, bare-hand trout catching, and ice fishing areas for smelt and trout, so visitors of all ages can enjoy the thrill of the catch. Cozy indoor activities such as making your own pizza and steamed buns, decorating succulent planters, and making fruit syrup are joined by outdoor fun like ATVs on the wide fields, kids’ snow sleds, and a barrel train, making this a beloved destination for a full day of winter experiences.
Program Information
Gather around the holes drilled into the frozen lake and scoop up quickly passing smelt with a small net, or cast your line and wait for the silvery fish to bite. Children can join easily, making this especially popular with families.
This thrilling program challenges you to catch live trout with your bare hands in icy water. The moment you grab a trout that’s darting through the current, the cold and the powerful movement you feel in your fingertips become an unforgettable winter memory.
These packages let you fish for smelt or trout in comfort inside a transparent dome, away from the biting outdoor air. Families and friends can relax and fish together in one space, making it a particularly convenient option for those traveling with young children.
A children’s snow park where kids ride tube sleds down a slope covered in soft snow. Even little ones who may find ice activities difficult can fully enjoy playing in the snow and taking in the winter scenery.
At the experience center run by Soomi Village residents, you can knead dough to make steamed buns and top and bake your own pizzas. Sharing piping-hot buns and pizzas is a great way to warm both body and soul after time out on the ice.
Enjoy an exhilarating ATV ride across the wide fields and a barrel train that kids love. A slow loop around the village against a backdrop of rural scenery is another highlight of the festival.
These workshop-style indoor programs let you decorate small succulent planters or make fruit syrup to take home. They’re perfect for preserving your winter travel memories in a little plant or a glass bottle.
A small flea market and various winter snack stalls operate around the festival grounds. Warm soups and quick bites are available so you can take short breaks between ice activities.
Most activities run between 10:00 and 16:00–17:00, so it’s best to plan your arrival and activity reservations around these hours. Popular programs are easier to fit into your schedule if you do them first in the morning.
Because you’ll spend extended time out on the ice, the perceived temperature can feel much colder. Bring thick winter clothing, gloves, a hat, and extra socks. Waterproof shoes or boots will keep your feet dry and much more comfortable.
The contents and prices of packages such as the ice minnows dome and ice trout dome vary slightly. Check detailed rates on the official website before your visit and set a budget so you can choose more freely on site.
If you’re sensitive to the cold, bring heat packs, waterproof boots, and an extra pair of gloves.
Since there are many dome and other package options, it’s useful to check prices and inclusions in advance.
Visitor Impressions (and Plans)
Today is December 9, 2025, and the Yangpyeong Ice Trout Festival is already in full swing. Although the official festival period is announced as running until March 1, 2025, there was a year when it actually continued operating until March 3, so it feels like we’re right around the halfway point now. Another part of winter still lies ahead, and just thinking about how to spend that time is enough to fill my heart.
The festival grounds in Soomi Village, Yangpyeong, lie in nature where the crisp air feels alive. Every step on the ice sounds like walking on shards of glass, heightening the sense of excitement. Watching trout glide past below the ice holes and then grabbing one with bare hands, the cold that seeps into your fingertips feels like another flavor of the festival. Step into one of the warm dome shelters set up on one side of the grounds, and you’ll see snow-covered fields through the fogged-up windows; the time you spend there warming up while waiting for your next activity is a deep comfort.
If you book in advance, you can enjoy the ice minnows dome or ice trout dome packages at better prices than on-site payment, so it’s wise to organize your schedule ahead of time. On weekends and holidays, more people gather and waiting times tend to be longer, so I plan to arrive during the relatively quiet morning hours and enjoy the ice at a relaxed pace. When the winter sunlight reflects off the ice beyond the white-covered hill, I’d like to capture that clear, transparent light not just with my camera but also once more in my heart. There will be days cold enough to freeze hands and feet, but if you pack thick gloves, extra clothes, and good winter gear, even that sharp cold will feel like part of the winter journey.
Accommodation Suggestions
The festival village of Soomi sits in the fields between Yongmun-myeon and Jipyeong-myeon, making it quite convenient to reach by car. Nearby you’ll find a good mix of valley-view pensions, riverside lodgings, and family resorts, ideal for combining the Ice Trout Festival with a one-night, two-day trip. The accommodations listed here were selected based on distance and accessibility from the festival grounds.
234 Jungwonsan-ro, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
Pension-style lodging in the forest where you can stay with your dog
Perfect for ending the day with a quiet walk along the forest paths after the festival.
Distance: 3.4 km
10-8 Yongmunsan-ro 192beon-gil, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
Family-style pension with views of the Yongmunsan foothills
Great for combining your stay with a drive around the Yongmunsan area before or after check-in.
Distance: 4.8 km
10-9 Yongmunsan-ro 192beon-gil, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
A cozy pension ideal for relaxing with mountain views
A good match for small groups or couples seeking a quiet stay.
Distance: 4.9 km
318-32 Hwajeon-ro, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
A pension where you can feel the charm of a detached house in nature
Ideal for relaxing under the winter starlight in the quiet night air.
Distance: 7.5 km
293 Yeonsu-ro, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
A log-house-style pension with a camping vibe
Perfect for travelers wanting to feel a winter camp atmosphere along with the festival.
Distance: 7.8 km
74 Molungo-gaet-gil, Cheongun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
A countryside pension where mountains, water, and flowers harmonize
Suitable for those who don’t mind driving a bit farther.
Distance: 8.4 km
21 Hakgol-gil, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
A pension perched on a hill with great views
On clear days, you can take in the winter mountain ridges at a glance from your window.
Distance: 8.7 km
73-10 Yongmunsamseong-ro 20beon-gil, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
Atmospheric accommodation by the riverside
Great for a quiet evening with a winter riverside walk.
Distance: 9.7 km
On snowy days, roads leading to hillside pensions can become icy, so allow plenty of travel time.
Restaurants & Cafés
Within about a 10-minute drive of the Yangpyeong Ice Trout Festival, you’ll find everything from hearty meals to mood-filled cafés. If you head toward Yongmunsan from the festival grounds, restaurants and cafés line the way, making it easy to stop by before or after your smelt and trout activities.
37-4 Jipyeong Uibyeong-ro, Jipyeong-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
A spot where you can enjoy pork cutlet and rice cooked in an iron pot
Ideal when you crave a steaming hot bowl of rice after playing out on the ice.
Distance: 4.7 km
133 Yongmunsan-ro, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
A café where you can enjoy coffee with natural views
A nice place to organize the photos you took at the festival over a warm drink.
Distance: 4.7 km
207 Yongmunsan-ro, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
A specialty restaurant for spicy grilled webfoot octopus
Perfect when you’re craving something spicy and warming after time on the icy lake.
Distance: 4.8 km
278 Yongmunsan-ro, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
A place to enjoy meals and tea time in a tranquil atmosphere
By day, the natural light streaming through large windows pairs beautifully with the winter scenery.
Distance: 5.2 km
109 Deokchon-gil, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
A café with stylish interiors and desserts
Visit around sunset to enjoy the winter scenery blended with warm indoor lighting.
Distance: 5.5 km
148 Yongdu-ro, Cheongun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
A jjamppong specialty restaurant known for its spicy broth
On snowy days, a spoonful of hot soup feels especially welcome.
Distance: 6.4 km
79-1 Jogaegol-gil, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
A barley rice restaurant served with generous vegetable side dishes
Ideal when you want a lighter, wholesome meal between rich winter foods.
Distance: 7.5 km
58 Sangwonsa-gil, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
A cozy café surrounded by forest
A calm space where you can relax while looking out at snow-covered trees.
Distance: 9.1 km
If you plan to visit cafés, go while it’s still light to better enjoy the winter fields and mountain views.
Nearby Attractions
A full day can easily pass just enjoying the Ice Trout Festival itself, but if you have time, we recommend adding nearby riverside parks, valleys, or temples to your route. Within 10 km of the festival grounds you’ll find a good mix of natural scenery, historic sites, and gardens, so you can choose a course that suits your interests.
23-2 Sanggwang-gil, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
A park with riverside trails and a wide sandy beach
End your day on the ice with a riverside stroll and take in the winter river scenery.
Distance: 1.7 km
834 Yongmun-ro, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
A pavilion and rest spot along a quiet country road
A nice place for a short stop to soak up the tranquil winter fields.
Distance: 2.2 km
21 Wolsanjeosuji-gil, Jipyeong-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
A resort-style retreat by a reservoir
If you’re planning a family trip around the festival, consider combining it into a one-night, two-day course.
Distance: 3.8 km
555 Jungwonsan-ro, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
A valley with different charms in each season
In winter you can see frozen streams and snow-covered rocks along the valley.
Distance: 5.1 km
121 Beotgogaet-gil, Yangdong-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
A scenic mountain pass popular for drives
Visit around sunset for a drive and wide-open views of the rural landscape.
Distance: 6.7 km
6 Ochon-gil 49beon-gil, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
A traditional hanok residence preserving old-time charm
Spend a quiet moment watching winter snow fall on the hanok’s tiled roof.
Distance: 6.7 km
1 Medonggol-gil, Yangdong-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
A garden where you can enjoy different flowers and trees each season
In winter, enjoy the quiet silhouettes of trees set against snowy landscapes.
Distance: 6.7 km
782 Yongmunsan-ro, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
A temple home to a thousand-year-old giant ginkgo tree
In the clear winter air, take in both the ancient tree and the temple’s serene atmosphere.
Distance: 8.6 km
Yongmunsa Temple and Jungwon Valley are especially atmospheric on snowy days, but check road conditions in the mountains before visiting.
Getting There
Public Transportation — Although no detailed route information is provided in the official guide, most visitors take the subway or bus to Yongmun Station or a nearby stop, then transfer to a taxi or local bus toward Soomi Village. In winter, snow and ice may affect public transportation timetables, so be sure to check the latest schedule before you depart.
By Car — Set your navigation destination to “Yangpyeong Ice Trout Festival” or “Yangpyeong Soomi Village (55-2 Gobdani-gil, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do).” Temporary parking lots are available near the festival grounds. On weekends and holidays, entering and exiting the lots may take longer, so plan to arrive with some extra time.
If you set your navigation destination to “Soomi Village,” it will guide you closer to the festival entrance.
Conclusion
The Yangpyeong Ice Trout Festival is a winter rural trip where you spend the day fishing for smelt and trout on frozen fields and sharing steaming steamed buns and pizzas. Against the simple scenery and clear air unique to Soomi Village, activities such as bare-hand trout catching, snow sledding, and ATVs create unforgettable memories for visitors of all ages.
As you alternate between the finger-numbing cold of the ice and the cozy warmth inside the domes, the many faces of winter stand out more vividly. This winter, consider escaping the city for a day and visiting Soomi Village in Yangpyeong to capture your own winter scene amid the light and laughter that rest upon the ice.
