I’ve been flying constantly – around 80 hours every month – for almost two years. This job brought me to many countries that I never thought I’d have visited, showed me hundreds of historic ruins and heritage sites that tell the brightest and darkest sides of human beings, and allowed me to take in some of the most magnificent landscapes that Mother Nature has gifted us. I’m thankful for all these but something inside me is missing. The more I explore, the less excited I feel while on the road. I thought it’s just me until I realized a lot of my colleagues share the same empty, unnerving feeling. Scared to lose my passion for travel, I’ve been finding destinations that can reignite my urge to embark on another adventure. But maybe I’m looking in the wrong direction? Instead of planning trips to places that I’ve never been, what about trying things that I’ve never done? For example, skiing.

It may sound a bit crazy to go on a four-hour flight from Hong Kong to Seoul just for a 2-day trip, but to us – flight attendants – traveling in the air is like a daily commute. Discounted flight fares and flexible working schedules also attribute to our spontaneity. With a colleague I met from a Boston flight last October, we joined a ski day tour to Gangwon-do Oak Valley Snow Park, only a 90-minute drive from the city center of Seoul. The US$85 tour package on Klook includes round trip transportation between Seoul and the resort, rental of ski wear and equipment, lift passes, and a 120-minute basic ski lesson on flat ground and ski track.

Our pick up point was arranged at Hongik University Station exit 1. We walked down to the station from exit 6 (five minutes away from our accommodation), expecting that we could pass through to exit 1 like what we usually do in Hong Kong. But a line up of turnstiles blocked our way. We decided to buy the cheapest train ticket to get through it, only to receive a receipt indicating machine failure. We made it at the end, but to save some trouble, it’s better to walk on the street.

We got our ski jackets and pants at a rental shop five minutes away from the park. There’s a selection of colors, patterns, sizes of clothes for us to mix and match and try on. Be aware that more than ten of your tour companions are searching for their perfect outfit at the same time, you’d better be quick and hold on to your favorites. Goggles (₩10,000), gloves(₩5000) and helmet (₩10,000) are available at extra costs.

Skis, poles and boots are offered at the park. After equipping ourselves with everything we needed, we’re separated into two groups, ten in each, for the anticipated 120-minute lesson. Led by coach Jimmy, we stumbled to the training ground with our cumbersome boots, dragging our skis and poles along thick snow. When we finally formed two lines in front of Jimmy, we already looked exhausted. After five minutes of warm-up exercise and attaching our boots to the skis, we started learning how to turn, how to walk up the slope, how to stop, and most importantly, how to fall. “No worries, it won’t cause you a lot of pain as they’re just snow.” Jimmy encouraged us to just topple and fall. I did what he said and my butt suffered. Then it came the most difficult part of the course: getting up from the ground. He taught us to hold our knees with both hands and push ourselves up. It required quite a lot of muscle strength that I obviously lack. You can find other methods from the Internet, but the last resort is simply taking off your skis. I know it doesn’t look cool but it’s better than sitting on the ice forever.

After learning all the basic techniques, it’s time to hit the slope even though we’re not ready yet. The tour included unlimited access of the chairlift that brought us up to the top of the ski track. The 1.4 million square meters snow park contains two beginner, five intermediate, and two advanced level courses. Of course, we went for the easiest one. It took a bit of courage to slide down the track at the beginning, but after a few tries, we’re good to go on our own. As a ski newbie, I’m very proud of myself.

Working up an appetite, we went to the famous fried chicken chain, BHC, inside the resort building for lunch. We ordered a beef stew soup with rice, and their signature fried chicken that is crispy outside and juicy inside. It’s tempting to pair this tangy dish with a thirst-quenching beer but we didn’t want to risk feeling tipsy uphill. We washed down the meal with a Pepsi before heading back to the ski track.

The queue of the chairlift was much longer in the afternoon. We could only take it for a few more times before making our way back to Seoul. Returning the gear and sitting back in the coach, I felt worn out but contented. Skiing had been on my bucket list for a long time, and I’m glad that I can check this out in the fresh start of 2019. Still on my list includes skydiving, diving, surfing, paragliding, hiking to the Himalayas, flying a plane and many more I’m still adding. These adrenaline-fueled activities offer a mixed feeling of excitement, uncertainty and fear that makes me feel more alive and enthusiastic about life. I think I’ve found a new way to experience travel.

That night my friend and I dined in Gong Reung Chicken Hanmari, a popular chicken hot pot restaurant located in Sinchon. You can order a half or a whole chicken to share, and the staff will cut it into pieces into a light-flavored chicken soup cooked with mushrooms, potatoes, and rice cakes. Soft and tender, the chicken is the star of the dish, and the dipping sauce that comes with it is an excellent match. Finishing the last piece of chicken, make sure to request for a bowl of rice to be added in the soup for a savory congee. For beverages, try the Korean traditional rice wine, makgeolli, and drink it from a bowl like the locals. The restaurant doesn’t provide chairs so you’ve to sit on your knees or in a cross-legged position. It’s a bit uncomfortable but the food promises to compensate.