Top 10 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 Great Ustyug. It is not surprising that most Russians spend winter holidays here, not abroad. We studied the reviews of tourists and prepared for you a rating of the best places where you can relax in the 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 you can enjoy the sun rays one day, ride a snowboard and watch volcanoes (and not always sleeping!) From a bird's eye view, while sitting in a hotel in another, not being able to even go outside because of the huge amounts of snow. If you do not like to ski, you can see the thermal springs and geysers by renting a dog sled or a snowmobile for yourself. This is not at all extreme, so it is suitable even for tourists with children.

Kamchatka is a real expanse for those who like to ride on off-piste routes, but the only problem is the ski lifts. To climb to the top, you can walk, but it is difficult and long, or go by helicopter, which is more expensive and suitable only for large companies that are ready to share the costs. If you have decided to spend your winter weekend in Kamchatka, we recommend buying a tour in advance, in which the cost of climbing the mountain will already be included.

9 Karelia

Winter Karelia offers an incredible holiday with a mystical touch. A small region is completely covered with forests, here is the huge Lake Onega. 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 homeland of the Aryans, who are able to control the power of the Earth. You can meet them in person. Who knows, maybe it is during the winter holidays in this mystical region that you will be able to find out the answers to the questions that have been troubling you for a long time?

Ski trips, skiing from the hills on double and even triple “cheesecakes”, the Three Bears zoo complex 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 that offer rooms from 800 rubles per day. So, if you plan to rest not only with your body, but with your soul, then you are here in Karelia.

8 Celestial Teeth

Celestial Teeth - this is the snowiest place in the world, sometimes the height of snowdrifts here reaches 15 m. This is a mountainous area, located between the Kemerovo region and the Republic of Khakassia.Here, every lover of outdoor activities will have a fun and interesting time. Among the main attractions are: snow trekking, mountain climbing, snowmobile trails, etc. Having rented a snowmobile, you can see many incredible landscapes in one day, from endless snow-covered valleys to taiga forests covered in fog.

In the vicinity of the Celestial Zub'ev, more than 30 tourist shelters have been opened, representing 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, to get to the shelters better by train, the ticket price is 70 rubles. For living in such a house is enough to pay 350 - 1 000 rubles.

7 Dombay

You can try yourself as a real climber by visiting Dombai. This resort is located in a great location and is surrounded by a chain of North Caucasian mountains, the height of which reaches 1,500 meters. A great place for those who like to spend their free time on the ski slopes. Today, a large number of comfortable hotels have been opened here, so there will be no difficulty in choosing a place to stay.

The best place to stay on Dombai is the south-western slope of Mount Mussa Achitara. Here all the conditions for heli-ski, i.e. for disembarking ride tourists from a helicopter for later descent from the summit. Fans of extreme sports can have an interesting time: they have open off-piste ski routes from the upper station of the lift. There are large-scale snowboard festivals and equestrian trips to the beauties of Dombai are organized.

6 Altai

For those who prefer active rest and extreme, we recommend to go in winter to the edge of the Altai Mountains and taiga forests. There are 38 ski slopes of varying complexity, each of which is equipped with automated lifts. Choosing Altai for your winter holiday, you can be sure: this time will be remembered for you only by 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 the mountain scenery, go to the Swan Reserve or Shukshin Museum-Reserve. If you decide to celebrate New Year here, stop at one of the Altai resorts, which are often called Russian Switzerland. Do not forget to try the tea cooked on real Altai herbs. It is believed that he - the best help for weakened immunity.

5 Crimea

Why not go to the Crimea in the winter when there are few tourists and the prices for hotel accommodation are much lower? Of course, on the beach this season you will not sunbathe, but access to cultural attractions is not limited. Among the places that we recommend to visit: botanical garden, waterfall Jur-Jur, cable car and ancient palaces. Usually, winter Crimea is chosen by those who seek relaxation and want to undergo a wellness program in one of the resorts located here. The unique harmony of the steppe and sea climate is considered healing and especially useful for children.

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

4 Baikal

Baikal is one of the best places for winter holidays. The first thing you pay attention to is the pristine beauty of nature and clean air, which is simply impossible to breathe.Going on a trip, it is important to choose the right beach to stop: the western and eastern vary greatly. For those who want to be alone with nature, we recommend staying on the eastern shore of the lake, where there is a lot of hot 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 very different atmosphere awaits travelers on the west bank. There is always a lot of people, noise and fun. Spend time with a true scale: you can fly a helicopter to the valley of the Shumak springs, ride a speed boat, go diving or safari. The ice trail opens in the middle of January, then the most fun season begins on Baikal. Going to the lake in winter, you will be able to visit the Buddhist center of our country, walk on the ice of the deepest lake on the planet on skis or skates, and after a 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 a holiday with children, here everyone will find interesting entertainment for themselves. By the sea, even on frosty days, you can sunbathe by choosing a cozy spot 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, rentals or skates. With children, be sure to go to our Russian Disneyland - Sochi Park. Here the atmosphere reigns, familiar to all from childhood from Russian fairy tales and epics. We are sure that the children will definitely be delighted with the meeting with the heroes, the Serpent Gorynych and other equally famous characters.

Traveling to Sochi in the winter is a good solution for those who want to relax without abrupt climate change. The average temperature in January during the day ranges from +10 to +12 degrees. Here you can watch Olympic sports facilities, walk along the longest suspension bridge in the whole world and jump from a height of 200 m on an elastic rope. Judging by the reviews of travelers, finding a hotel or hostel is not difficult, but we recommend to book rooms in advance. Around the city, there are round-the-clock snowmobile rental points, a great opportunity to hold a small but fascinating rally with friends.

2 Elbrus

A great place for winter holidays is mountains. Of course, the higher the better, and therefore, a wonderful decision will be visiting Elbrus. Elbrus is the most famous peak in Russia, reaching 5,642 meters in height. Here are located the popular ski resorts: Cheget, Azau and others. There is no need to look for peace and tranquility here: world-famous trails, the total duration of which is 35 meters, attract tourists from different parts of the world.

Another reason to choose the Elbrus region for winter holidays is the most delicious Caucasian cuisine. Try khychyny, pilaf on the fire, soup kharcho, khinkal, Ossetian pies and other national dishes of the peoples of the North Caucasus here you can at a symbolic cost. If you come with children, be sure to order a family tour of the foothills and enjoy the majestic landscapes of mountain slopes and ridges.

1 Great Ustyug

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

30 minutes from Veliky Ustyug is the Residence of Santa Claus, where children from all over Russia send over 2,000,000 letters every year. The beautiful part of the fiefdoms are carved houses, numerous attractions, huge snow slides and a zoo with northern animals. Here are offered various types of skating: on inflatable sledges, in harness with three horses, on a train, and even ... on the Russian stove! This is the best place for a winter holiday, where an incredibly magical atmosphere reigns. Veliky Ustyug is known to the whole world by the fact that here skilled craftsmen create the best jewelry made of blackened silver. Everyone can see and buy them, let such a silver product be a pleasant reminder of the rest in the birthplace of Santa Claus.

Popular vote - what is the best place for winter holidays in Russia?
We vote!

Great Ustyug

Elbrus

Sochi

Baikal

Crimea

Alps

Dombay

Celestial Teeth

Karelia

Kamchatka

Total votes: 3

Vote results