The 24th YongPyeong International Ski Festival offers winter festivity for diplomatic and foreign community Sponsored by the diplomatic community of Korea, the 24th YongPyeong International Ski Festival, a winter season festivity for the diplomatic community as well as all foreigners in Korea, kicks off from Feb. 10-11, 2006 at the YongPyeong Resort (www.yongpyong.co.kr). The 2006 event will be prepared by the Swiss Embassy, with the top envoy Amb. Christian Hauswirth heading the organizing committee. Over 600 participants have taken part in past festivals, and the 2006 event will offer Alpine giant slalom, Nordic, and Snowboard giant slalom races, according to the organizing committee. All foreigners and their families are welcome to participate for a weekend of fun skiing in Korea. Moreover, all foreigners will be provided a 30% discount on room accommodations, ski equipments rental and lift tickets at YongPyeong Resort during the International Ski Festival. Since its opening in 1975 as "Ski Mecca in Korea", YongPyeong Resort has been acclaimed the most famous all season resort, equipped with largest ski facilities located on the mountains, 700 to 1,458 meters above sea level, on a site of 4,300 Acres. It is considered that the history of Korean ski sports itself is exactly the same as that of YongPyeong by the people in Korea, and also YongPyeong resort is internationally regarded as one of the best ski resorts in the world furnished with both hardware and software to perfection. The resort's skiing facilities can accommodate up to 20,000 people and offer 32 slopes, six of which are officially recognized by the International Ski Federation. YongPyeong resort also has 15 lifts including the Gondola, which is 3.7 kilometers long, and the nation's largest Ski Lodge, 'Dragon Plaza'. After successfully holding various international ski events like '98, '00, '03 Alpine Ski World Cup and '99 Winter Asian Games, YongPyeong resort is well-known to all Europeans and renowned to Asian skiers and tourists. In addition, the resort has installed a Super Half-Pipe, which is bigger than international standard and nation's first Terrain Park, 'Dragon Park' so that it has gained full public favor. Gangwon Province and YongPyeong Resort have been appointed as Korea's main candidate site for the Winter Olympic Games. The resort will be even better by 2014, with 48 slopes and 24 lifts.