10 best places for winter holidays in Russia

Russia has everything: from the majestic mountains of the North Caucasus to the subtropics of Sochi and the magical Veliky Ustyug. Not surprisingly, most Russians spend their winter holidays here and not abroad. We have studied the reviews of tourists and prepared for you a rating of the best places where you can relax in winter alone, with friends or family.

TOP 10 best places for winter holidays in Russia

10 Kamchatka

Kamchatka is always an adventure.The weather here is so unpredictable that one day you can enjoy the sun, snowboard and look at volcanoes from a bird's eye view (and not always sleeping!), And the next sit in a hotel, not even being able to go outside due to the huge the amount of snow. If you don't like skiing, you can see the thermal springs and geysers by renting a dog sled or a snowmobile. It is not extreme at all, so it is suitable even for tourists with children.

Kamchatka is a real expanse for lovers of off-piste routes, but the only problem is the lifts. To get to the top, you can walk, but it's hard and long, or go by helicopter, which is more expensive and only suitable for large companies willing to share the cost. If you have decided to spend your winter holidays in Kamchatka, we recommend that you buy a tour in advance, in which the cost of climbing the mountain will already be included.

9 Karelia

Winter Karelia offers an incredible vacation with a mystical touch. A small region is completely covered with forests, here is the huge Onega Lake. In winter, it becomes the best place in Russia for skiing, skating and sledding. Every year dog sled races are organized here, in which everyone can take part. It is believed that Karelia is the birthplace of the Aryans, who are able to control the power of the Earth. You can meet them in person. Who knows, maybe it is on a winter holiday in this mystical region that you will be able to find out the answers to questions that have been bothering you for a long time?

Ski trips, skiing from the hills on double and even triple "cheesecakes", the zoo complex "Three Bears" - this is what Karelia is ready to surprise you with. Here you can visit the museum "Kizhi", the famous mountain park "Ruskeala" with a marble quarry and the exhibition hall of the national artist Gogolev. Upon arrival, you will quickly find a place to stay: there are many hotels and recreation centers offering rooms from 800 rubles per day. So, if you plan to relax not only with your body, but also with your soul, then you are here - in Karelia.

8 Celestial Teeth

Celestial Teeth is the snowiest place in the whole world, sometimes the height of snowdrifts here reaches 15 m. This is a mountainous region located between the Kemerovo region and the Republic of Khakassia. Every fan of outdoor activities will have a fun and interesting time here. Among the main attractions: snow hiking, mountain climbing, snowmobile routes, etc. By renting a snowmobile, you can see many incredible landscapes in one day: from endless snow-covered valleys to fog-covered taiga forests.

In the vicinity of Celestial Teeth, more than 30 tourist shelters have been opened, which are small, but warm and very cozy houses. You can warm up in them after a walk in the fresh air, go to a real Russian bath and spend the night. Judging by the reviews of tourists, it is better to get to the shelters by train, the ticket price is 70 rubles. For living in such a house, it is enough to pay 350 - 1,000 rubles.

7 Dombai

You can try yourself in the role of a real climber by visiting Dombay.This resort is located in a great location and is surrounded by a chain of the North Caucasus Mountains, whose height reaches 1,500 m. A great place for those who like to spend their free time on the ski slopes. Today, a large number of comfortable hotels are open here, so choosing a place to stay will not be difficult.

The best place to stay in Dombai is the southwestern slope of Mount Mussa Achitara. All conditions for heli-ski are created here, i.е. for disembarking skiing tourists from a helicopter for subsequent descent from the top. Fans of extreme sports can have an interesting time: off-piste ski routes are open for them, going from the upper lift station. Large-scale snowboard festivals are held here and horseback riding tours are organized around the beauties of Dombai.

6 Altai

For those who prefer outdoor activities and extreme sports, we recommend going to the region of the Altai mountains and taiga forests in winter. 38 ski slopes of varying difficulty are open here, each of which is equipped with automated lifts. Having chosen Altai for a winter holiday, you can be sure that you will remember this time only with positive memories from skiing and snowboarding, as well as from winter fishing.

Winter holidays in Altai are not only extreme adventures. You can take part in excursions, enjoy mountain landscapes, go to the Swan Nature Reserve or the Shukshin Museum-Reserve. If you decide to celebrate the New Year here, stay in one of the Altai resorts, which are often called Russian Switzerland. Don't forget to try the tea made with real Altai herbs. It is believed that it is the best help for weakened immunity.

5 Crimea

Why not go to the Crimea in winter, when there are few tourists and hotel prices are much lower? Of course, you won’t sunbathe on the beach this season, but access to cultural attractions is not limited in any way. Among the places that we recommend visiting are the botanical garden, the Dzhur-Dzhur waterfall, the cable car and ancient palaces. Usually winter Crimea is chosen by those who are looking for relaxation and want to go through a wellness program in one of the sanatoriums located here. The unique harmony of the steppe and sea climate is considered healing and especially beneficial for children.

If you decide to spend the January holidays in the Crimea, we recommend staying in Alushta or Yalta. They are located in the very center of the coast, so from here you can easily go on sightseeing trips to both eastern (Sudak, Feodosia) and western (Sevastopol, Evpatoria) cities. If you are interested not in sightseeing, but in active recreation, then go to the Angarsk Pass or the lower plateau of Chatyrdag. There are several slopes for skiing and sledding, but the ascent to the points of descent is possible only on foot.

4 Baikal

Baikal is one of the best places for winter recreation. The first thing you pay attention to here is the pristine beauty of nature and clean air, which is simply impossible to breathe. When going on a trip, it is important to choose the right coast for stopping: the western and eastern ones are very different. For those who want to be alone with nature, we recommend staying on the eastern shore of the lake, where there are many thermal springs with hot water.We are sure that the magnificent mountains of the Barguzinsky Range and the bright blue sky will not leave you indifferent.

A completely different atmosphere awaits travelers on the west coast. There are always a lot of people, noise and fun. You will be able to spend time on a real scale: you can fly by helicopter to the valley of the Shumak springs, ride a speedboat, go diving or go on a safari. The ice trail opens in mid-January, at the same time the most fun season on Baikal begins. Going to the lake in winter, you can visit the Buddhist center of our country, walk on the ice of the deepest lake on the planet on skis or skates, and after the walk, relax in the SPA center.

3 Sochi

Rest in the subtropics is a truly unforgettable time, especially if it takes place in the Olympic capital of Russia. A wonderful choice for holidays with children, here everyone will find interesting entertainment to their liking. By the sea, even on frosty days, you can sunbathe by choosing a cozy place in one of the thermal pools. Want more activity? Go to the mountains, to the most visited ski resort - Krasnaya Polyana. Here you can go for a drive, renting skis, rent or skates. With children, be sure to go to our Russian Disneyland - Sochi Park. An atmosphere reigns here, familiar to everyone from childhood from Russian fairy tales and epics. We are sure that the kids will definitely be delighted with the meeting with the heroes, Zmey Gorynych and other equally famous characters.

Traveling to Sochi in winter is a good solution for those who want to relax without a sudden change in climate. The average temperature in January during the day is from +10 to +12 degrees.Here you can see the Olympic sports facilities, walk along the world's longest suspension bridge and jump from a height of 200 m on an elastic rope. Judging by the reviews of vacationers, it will not be difficult to find a hotel or hostel, but we recommend booking rooms in advance. Throughout the city, there are 24-hour snowmobile rental points, a great opportunity to have a small but exciting rally with friends.

2 Elbrus

Mountains are a great place for winter holidays. Of course, the higher the better, which means that a visit to the Elbrus region will be a wonderful solution. Elbrus is the most famous peak in Russia, reaching 5,642 m in height. Popular ski resorts are located here: Cheget, Azau, etc. There is no need to look for peace and tranquility here: tourists from all over the world come to the world-famous slopes, the total length of which is 35 m.

Another reason to choose the Elbrus region for a winter holiday is the most delicious Caucasian cuisine. You can try khychiny, pilaf on a fire, kharcho soup, khinkal, Ossetian pies and other national dishes of the peoples of the North Caucasus here at a symbolic cost. If you come with children, be sure to book a family tour of the foothill area and enjoy the majestic scenery of the mountain slopes and ridges.

1 Veliky Ustyug

It is better to visit Santa Claus with the whole family along with the kids. In one of the most ancient cities of the Russian North, majestic temples, ancient churches and merchants' houses are still preserved.This is the best place for a winter holiday, because here you will meet the real Santa Claus and his granddaughter Snegurochka. From the end of November, a series of holidays, festivals and competitions begins here, accompanied by traditional folk games and fun. Almost every day, events end with magnificent fireworks, which we recommend watching from the observation deck of the Cathedral Courtyard.

A 30-minute drive from Veliky Ustyug is the Residence of Ded Moroz, where children from all over Russia annually send more than 2,000,000 letters. Carved towers, numerous attractions, huge snow slides and a zoo with northern animals are a beautiful part of the estate. Various types of riding are offered here: on an inflatable sled, in a team with a trio of horses, on a steam locomotive and even ... on a Russian stove! This is the best place for a winter holiday, where an incredibly magical atmosphere reigns. Veliky Ustyug is also known to the whole world for the fact that here skilled craftsmen create the best blackened silver jewelry. Anyone can view and buy them, let such a silver item become a pleasant reminder of the rest in the estate of Father Frost.

Popular vote - what is the best place for a winter holiday in Russia?
Vote!

Veliky Ustyug

Elbrus

Sochi

Baikal

Crimea

Alps

Dombai

Celestial Teeth

Karelia

Kamchatka

Total voted: 73

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