ISSS 2026 Pyeongchang Newsletter #5

Welcome to the
26th International Congress on Snowsports Trauma & Safety
ISSS 2026 Pyeongchang


Dear Colleagues and Friends,

On behalf of the President of the Korean Orthopedic Sports Medicine Society, we extend our sincere congratulations on the International Society for Snowsports Safety 2026.

Especially, it is a great honor for the Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Society (KOSSM) to participate as a co-host of ISSS 2026, to be held in PyeongChang, Korea.

As the President of KOSSM, I am pleased to support this international meeting, which brings together experts dedicated to improving safety, injury prevention, and clinical outcomes in snowsports. PyeongChang, with its strong legacy in winter sports, provides an ideal venue for meaningful academic exchange in this field.

The Medical Day program highlights the essential role of medical science, clinical expertise, and interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing injury prevention and athlete care in snowsports as well.

Through ISSS 2026, we look forward to strengthening international collaboration and sharing clinical and scientific insights across disciplines. KOSSM is committed to contributing its expertise in orthopaedic sports medicine and to supporting productive dialogue that advances snowsports safety and athlete care worldwide.

I sincerely hope that ISSS 2026 will be a rewarding and memorable experience for all participants, and I warmly welcome you to PyeongChang.


Jin-Hwan Kim, MD, PhD
President, Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Society (KOSSM)


🗓️ Congress at a Glance

    📍 Venue: MONA Yongpyong Resort, Pyeongchang, Korea

    📆 Dates: March 8 (Sun) – 13 (Fri), 2026

    🌐 Visit our website: www.isss2026.com

    🌐 Contact us: info@isss2026.com


📅 Important Date: 

* Early-bird registration until Jan 31, 2026 (Regular from Feb 2, 2026)


🔹 abstract submission open on September 1, 2025.
🔹 Template available via our website. Questions? Email abstracts@isss2026.com.


Key Topics
  • Epidemiology
  • Sports Biomechanics
  • Snow sports medicine and trauma management 
  • Mechanism of injury and prevention
  • Rehabilitation and return-to-sport protocols
  • Equipment safety and performance
  • Ski area management & race safety 
  • Human science for snow sports safety

📸 Featured This Month: “Faces of ISSS”

🎤 This month, we remember :

👨‍⚕️ Carl Ettlinger

A founding member of the committee known today as ASTM F-27 Committee on Snow Skiing. Many of his papers served to guide and inform the International Society for Skiing Safety (ISSS), a global, multidisciplinary institution that advances safety issues and injury care in snowsports through education, research and development in all related fields.

🕯 In loving memory.
A tribute by PSIA Alpine Team member Heidi Ettlinger shared


👨‍⚕️ Dr. Aleix VIDAL

A valued member of our community who passed away last December. His dedication and spirit continue to inspire us.

🕯 In loving memory.
A tribute by Dr. Bernat ESCODA shared


🎤 Meet the keynote Speaker :



👨‍⚕️Opening Keynote Announcement: Honoring the Legacy of the Sugarbush Project
  • ISSS 2026 PyeongChang will open with a very special keynote that honors one of the most influential research journeys in sports medicine history—the Sugarbush Project and the Vermont Group.
    The opening keynote will be jointly delivered by Jasper E. Shealy, a member of the Vermont Group and a key figure in ISSS history, and Heidi Ettlinger, who continues the lifelong work of her father, Carl Ettlinger, a legend whose contributions shaped modern concepts of ski injury prevention.
    This keynote will trace the origins of the Sugarbush Project, offering first-hand historical perspectives on how the research began, the scientific methodology that guided it, and the critical milestones that transformed our understanding of knee injuries. Beyond research findings, the session will highlight how decades of rigorous science were translated into real-world impact through initiatives such as ACL Awareness and Tips for Knee-Friendly Skiing, fundamentally changing injury prevention practices worldwide.
    By combining historical insight, scientific rigor, and practical application, this opening keynote will set the tone for ISSS 2026—linking the congress’s rich legacy with its future direction in sports injury research and prevention.
‍ ‍Jasper E. Shealy
  • Professor Emeritus from RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology)
  • Principal of GEAR (Guidance Engineering and Applied Research)
  • Co-Principal Investigator for the Sugarbush Group


‍ ‍Heidi Ettlinger
  • Snowsports Education Leader
  • Founder, Gearing to Go LLC
  • Steward of the Ettlinger Injury Prevention Legacy
  • PSIA-AASI National Alpine Team alumna (2012–2021),
  • member of the ASTM F-27 Committee


👨‍⚕️ Pierre Jean Arnoux
  • Faculté des Sciences Médicales et Paramédicales
    Marseille Université / Université Gustave Eiffel
    Marseille
    FRANCE

👨‍⚕️ Rick Greenwald, Ph.d
  • New Hampshire, USA

👨‍⚕️ Hideo Matsumoto, MD, PhD
  • Japan Sports Medicine Foundation, Tokyo JAPAN
  • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University
  • Professor and Chairman, Institute for Integrated Sports Medicine, Keio University

👨‍⚕️ Hideyuki Koga, MD, PhD
  • Prefessor
  • Department of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine
  • Graduate school of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Science Tokyo, Tokyo JAPAN

👨‍⚕️ Dr. Lars Engebretsen
  • Professor emeritus
  • Department of Orthopedic Surgery
  • Oslo University Hospital, Oslo-Norway
  • Chair of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center

🏔️ Why Pyeongchang?

 ❄️ Home of the 2018 Winter Olympics
 🚅 High-speed train access (2 hrs from Seoul)
 🏨 Premium ski resort accommodation
 🎎 Authentic Korean culture and hospitality
 🏞️ Easy access to the Daekwanryeong Mountains for hiking, skiing, and sightseeing

🏂 Social Program Highlights:

 o Opening Welcome Party  
 o Ski Day with BBQ
 o Presidential Dinner & Korean Cultural Night
 o Gala Dinner & Closing Ceremony
 o Ski Mountaineering Mornings

❄️ SkiMo Sunrise Session at YongPyong


Participants are invited to experience ski mountaineering (SkiMo) at YongPyong Resort.
The group will gather before dawn and ascend the Red and Gold slopes via the service road, reaching the summit in time to enjoy a spectacular sunrise over the mountains, followed by a descent back to the base. The entire activity takes approximately one hour, making it an ideal early-morning workout before attending the conference.

Please note that SkiMo equipment is not available for rental, so participants must bring their own ski mountaineering gear. As the ascent begins before sunrise, warm clothing suitable for cold conditions and a headlamp are required.

🍽 Dining & Café Highlights at Mona Yongpyong

 [The Chalet]

Dragon Valley Hotel, 1st Floor
The Chalet offers both buffet dining and à la carte menus, providing flexible options throughout the day. Guests can enjoy a mix of Western and Korean dishes in a comfortable, refined setting. An ideal all-day dining venue located within the hotel.

 [Modurang Self Hanwoo Village]

Valley Center, 1st Floor
Dragon Castle, 2nd Floor
Located near the summit of Mt. Balwang, The Castle Chalet features breathtaking views of the Baekdudaegan range and the East Sea. Enjoy a peaceful meal surrounded by Korea’s natural beauty. A memorable dining experience above the clouds.


 [Café Spot]

[Mona Bakery X Coffee M Stable]

Dragon Plaza, 2nd Floor
A modern café combining freshly baked goods with specialty coffee. Signature drinks include Black Sesame Latte, Flat White, and hand-brewed drip coffee. Perfect for a relaxing break between conference sessions.

🎁 ISSS 2026 Participant Benefit | Sponsored by Dongkook Pharmaceutical

 🍯 At ISSS 2026 PyeongChang, all registered participants will receive a premium K-beauty gift package, generously sponsored by Dongkook Pharmaceutical.


This exclusive package features products from Centellian24® MADECA, a dermatological skincare line developed based on Dongkook Pharmaceutical’s long-standing expertise in skin science.

The selected products are designed to support skin soothing, barrier protection, hydration, and UV protection, making them suitable for both daily use and active sports environments.

The K-Beauty Gift Package includes:
  • MADECA Derma Shield Tone-Up Sun Cream (SPF50+ PA++++)
  • MADECA Power Ampoule
  • MADECA Derma Mask III (Intensive Formula)
  • The Madeca Cream


ISSS 2026 is committed to promoting not only scientific excellence but also the overall health and well-being of its participants. This special K-beauty gift package reflects our appreciation for your participation and our collaboration with Dongkook Pharmaceutical.


🏞️ Official tour : Explore Woljeongsa Temple

Just a short trip from Pyeongchang, Woljeongsa Temple offers a calm and scenic escape.

Enjoy:

 🌲 Woljeongsa museum





 🌲 Fir tree forest paths


 🌌🛕 UNESCO-recognized 9-story pagoda


 🧘 A peaceful atmosphere surrounded by mountains




Perfect for a morning walk or a relaxing break during the Congress.
🐟 Discover Gangneung Jungang Market

Experience local flavors and coastal life at Gangneung Jungang Market.

Try:

 🍯 Famous nut-filled hotteok


 🌌🐙 East-coast seafood specialties


 🎁 Local snacks & street food favorites


It’s a lively stop to experience authentic Korean market culture.


💄 K-Beauty Shopping Alert: Olive Young

Gangneung offers multiple Olive Young stores—Korea’s leading beauty and wellness retailer

Take advantage of:

 Trending K-beauty skincare and sheet masks
 Travel-size essentials
 Great prices on Korea’s top beauty brands



A perfect shopping stop before heading home!

🏂 How to Get from Incheon Airport to Mona Yongpyong Resort (Winter Travel Tips!)
If you’re planning a ski or snowboard trip in Korea, Mona Yongpyong Resort is one of the most famous destinations. But first things first—how do you actually get there from Incheon International Airport (ICN)? Don’t worry, here’s a simple guide with all the best options and a few insider tips!

1. Airport Railroad + KTX + Shuttle (Reliable Year-Round Option)

  • If the airport bus isn’t running, don’t worry! The train route is always available:
  • AREX (Airport Railroad) from Incheon Airport → Seoul Station (~1 hr)
  • KTX high-speed train from Seoul Station → Jinbu Station (~1 hr 40 min)
  • Shuttle bus or taxi from Jinbu Station → Mona Yongpyong Resort (~30 min)
💰 Cost: Around ₩25,000 (USD 20) total
🕒 Travel time: 3–3.5 hours

👉 Tip: From Jinbu Station, taxis are fast and convenient if you’re traveling in a group (about ₩20,000).

2. Renting a Car (For Adventurers)

  • If you like flexibility, rent a car directly at Incheon Airport:
  • Driving time: 3–3.5 hours
  • Route: Just type “Mona Yongpyong” in Google Maps or Naver Map
  • Be careful: Korean winter roads can be icy!
👉 Tip: Always rent with snow tires or chains in winter. Also, make a stop at a highway rest area for some local snacks (try hot fishcake skewers, walnut pastries, or instant noodles 🍜).

✨ Extra Travel Tips for Foreign Visitors

📱 Download Naver Map or Kakao Map (Google Maps doesn’t work well in Korea).

🛄 Some companies offer luggage delivery services directly from the airport to the resort—very handy if you have ski gear.

🍜 Don’t miss trying snacks at Korean highway rest stops—they’re part of the fun road trip experience.
💰 Travel Grant for students

ISSS 2026 Travel Grant Application
The International Society for Snowsports Safety (ISSS) is pleased to offer a limited number of travel grants to support participation in the upcoming ISSS Conference in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea.

Eligibility & Purpose
These grants are intended to help students, early-career researchers, and professionals with limited financial resources attend the conference. The aim is to encourage broad international participation and to foster knowledge exchange on snow sports safety, injury prevention, and risk management.
Travel grant with 3000$ which will be used with 500 or 1000$ grants.

[download application_form]

info@isss2026.com

ISSS2026.com      info@isss2026.com

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