As winter deepens, four snow festivals are scheduled in Gangwon Province in January, offering various events such as ice sculpting and snow trailing.

The Daegwallyeong Snow Festival will be held in Yongpyeong Dome Stadium, Pyeongchang-gun, from January 12 to 20, at some 700m above sea level. An 8km mountain hiking contest will open the festival, followed by an "Underwear Marathon" on January 13 and Hwangbyeongsan Hunting Game on the 19. A snow sculpture exhibition and traditional sledding tournaments will be held throughout the festival, and families and children can participate in an ice bowling contest and snow motorcycle competition.

For more information, call Pyeongchang County Office at (033) 330-2399.

In Inje the annual Smelt Fishing Festival will be held from January 25 to 27, where participants can fish for smelt through the frozen river near Shinnamseon Wharf in Soyangho. In addition a variety of other winter events including an ice soccer tournament, snow-bike championship, and motor show will be held. Other attractions will be a riverside Ice Craft Exhibition and Traditional Smelt Dish Marketplace.

For more information, call Inje ward office at (033) 460-2366

The Mount Seorak Snow Flake Festival will be held on the northern part of Mount Seorak on January 26 and 27, featuring a frozen water climb at the Towangseong Falls. Hosted by the Mount Seorak Rescue Team, the festive event offers a 360m-high climb, open to experienced mountaineers and a walking tour; the White Mountain Road Walk, on January 27. The course starts from the Shinseong Peak and heads to Hwa-Am Temple via Shinseondae, with professional mountaineers acting as guides. Also a Daecheong Peak climb is open to experienced mountain climbers.

For more information, call the Mount Seorak Snow Flake Committee (033) 639-2541

Taebaek hosts its annual Taebaek Mountain Snow Festival at Taebaek Provincial Park from January 19 to 27, while a snow sculpture exhibition will continue until the end of February, with some 20 national and foreign artists participating. A mountain climb will be held on January 20, departing from Danggol Square, passing through Banjae, Cheonjaedan, Munsubong and Jedanggol. Folk play performances will be staged in Danggol Square from January 22 to 24, and a snow field soccer match will be held at Hwangji Elementary School on January 26 and 27.

For more information, call Taebaek City Office at (033) 550-2081.

(Park Jong-in, jipark@chosun.com )