North Korea Opens Masikryong Ski Resort to Foreign Tourists, Showcasing World‑Class Facilities
Updated (2 articles)
Masikryong Resort Officially Open to International Visitors State media announced on Feb. 19, 2026 that the Masikryong ski resort in North Korea’s eastern region is now open to overseas tourists, describing it as a world‑class facility [1]. The declaration appeared in the Cabinet‑run Minju Joson newspaper [1]. A televised amateur competition held Feb. 15‑17, 2026 demonstrated the resort’s active use for foreign‑friendly events [1].
Facilities Match International Competition Standards The complex offers ten ski slopes built to meet international competition specifications [1]. It includes a hotel with a swimming pool, a massage room, on‑site medical services, and a helicopter landing pad to accommodate visitor needs [1]. Constructed in 2013, Masikryong previously served as a joint training site for North and South Korean athletes preparing for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics [1].
Recent Russian Tour Group Highlights Diplomatic Ties Russian tour group visited the resort in early February, reflecting deepening Pyongyang‑Moscow relations [1]. The visit was presented as evidence of expanding diplomatic and economic cooperation with Russia [1]. Tourists were escorted to the slopes and hotel facilities, underscoring the resort’s readiness for foreign guests [1].
Tourism Strategy Aims to Earn Hard Currency Amid Sanctions Pyongyang promotes Masikryong tourism to generate hard‑currency earnings despite international sanctions [1]. The resort sits near the Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist zone, opened in 2025, creating a broader leisure corridor [1]. Officials view foreign‑tourist revenue as a critical component of North Korea’s economic diversification plan [1].
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Timeline
2013 – North Korea completes construction of the Masikryong ski resort in the eastern region, a facility later marketed as a “world‑class” destination for foreign visitors [1].
2017 – Masikryong serves as a joint training site for South Korean and North Korean athletes preparing for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, demonstrating early inter‑Korean sports cooperation [1].
2024 – Approximately 4,000 Russian tourists travel to North Korea, more than double the pre‑pandemic level, reflecting growing interest in the country’s emerging tourism offerings [2].
2025 – The direct Pyongyang‑Moscow rail line and the new Pyongyang‑Moscow air route open, providing the transport backbone that Russian officials cite as essential for boosting tourist flows [2].
2025 – The Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist zone launches adjacent to Masikryong, expanding the region’s appeal to international visitors [1].
2025 – Russian visitor numbers rise to an estimated 7,000, driven by attractions such as Masikryong and the newly opened Wonsan Kalma zone [2].
Dec 26, 2025 – Russian news agency reports that Moscow and Pyongyang are developing joint tourism programs; Alexander Kozlov says, “These efforts will be carried forward within a formal cooperation framework,” and stresses that “transport connectivity is essential to increasing visits” [2].
Feb 15‑17, 2026 – An amateur ski competition takes place at Masikryong, broadcast on Korean Central Television, showcasing the resort’s active use for international‑standard events [1].
Feb 19, 2026 – North Korean state media promotes Masikryong as a world‑class ski resort for foreigners, highlighting its ten competition‑grade slopes, hotel with pool, on‑site medical services, helicopter landing field, and a recent Russian tour group visit [1].
2026 (planned) – Alexander Kozlov projects another rise in Russian tourist arrivals to North Korea, expecting the 2026 season to build on the momentum created by recent infrastructure and joint‑tourism initiatives [2].