A new ski resort is likely to be built in a country that has very few tourists due to various restrictions. North Korea has begun the process of building the resort in the remote “holy” city of Samjiyon, according to the satellite imagery analysis by NK Pro.
The move comes after Kim Jong Un asked for the construction last summer in a bid to promote the northern border city as a tourist spot. A few planet labs imagery displays a three-branch ski hill already been carved out of Mount Pukphothae near Samjiyon Airport between late September and mid-December, reports NK Pro. The North Korean leader visited the area in July 2024 and demanded the construction of a “large-scale ski resort” and “tourist recreation ground with Mount Pukphothae as a center.”
He said the location is “well-suited as a sports and experiential mountain tourism zone.”
The new ski hill in North Korea is located 2.4 miles (4 km) south of an airport and adjacent to an existing military ski slope used by KPA Unit 1045 for rifle practice while skiing.
The new ski hill is designed for beginners, featuring a gentle slope that rises 500 feet (155 meters) over a length of 1,585 yards (1.45 km).
It is designed for beginners, featuring a gentle incline that is smaller than the nearby military ski hill and the Masikryong resort, North Korea’s largest ski facility.
Foreign tourists have traditionally reached the area via domestic flights from Pyongyang, arriving at Samjiyon Airport, which currently consists of only two small buildings.
Despite previous announcements from Western tourism organisations suggesting it would open last December, Samjiyon remains closed to foreign visitors.
Not only this, but the country is expanding its tourism sector despite ongoing restrictions on foreign visitors. North Korea is preparing to open the Wonsan-Kalma resort in May 2025.
This project aims to attract international tourists with luxury accommodations, but progress has been hindered by sanctions and material shortages. While the country is reopening certain areas to visitors, most foreign tourists are still restricted from entering