Seoul city announced on the 19th that the opening date for the Hangang Park sledding slopes (Ttukseom, Jamwon, Yeouido) will be postponed from the 20th to the 24th. The city explained that artificial snow could not be supplied to the sledding slope due to the mild weather.
To create artificial snow for the sledding slopes, a weather condition of below minus 3 degrees and less than 60% humidity needs to persist for more than three days. However, due to recent high temperatures and humidity, snow-making operations proceeded at only about 50%. The city intends to complete snow-making and preparation to open the sledding slopes.
The sledding slopes will operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. without any break until Feb. 16 next year. It could temporarily close if air pollution, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), is severe. Joo Yongtae, head of the Seoul Future Hangang Headquarters, said, “We will ensure citizens can enjoy sledding safely.”