A trip to the north in winter is an unusual decision that will bring many unexpected impressions. For example, you can cross the Arctic Circle on reindeer, ski under the northern lights, spend a weekend on an icebreaker and get acquainted with the national traditions of small indigenous peoples. We tell you how to organize a trip to the northern regions of our country and what to do there.
Today, the tourism infrastructure of the Arctic territories is developing, new interesting locations and unique excursion routes are appearing. However, it is important to keep in mind that weather conditions in the Russian north are often unpredictable, so some programs may temporarily not work, and roads may become completely impassable. Therefore, before visiting the facilities, it is better to call to clarify the current work schedule. It’s also cold here, so take care of warm clothes for walks in nature: even in mild Karelia -20°C is not that uncommon.
Murmansk region
Murmansk is a major port and the largest city in Russia beyond the Arctic Circle. Mandatory point on the route – the world’s first nuclear icebreaker “Lenin”. The ship is permanently moored near the Marine Station pier, so tourists can climb aboard and explore it. The Museum of the History of the Murmansk Sea Trade Port introduces fishing, and the Naval Museum of the Northern Fleet talks about the specifics of the work of sailors, submariners and border guards. Another significant place in the city is the memorial to “Submariners who died in peacetime,” which includes the wheelhouse of the nuclear submarine “Kursk,” which sank in the Barents Sea in 2000.
Connoisseurs of natural beauty usually continue their journey through the Murmansk region in the vicinity of the Teriberka natural park on the shore of an ice-free section of the Barents Sea. In the village of the same name, hotels, glamping from comfortable igloos “Aurora Village” and the Polar Whale restaurant with original cuisine appeared. Here you can try northern delicacies – crabs, sea urchins and scallops. The tourism infrastructure of the Murmansk region is one of the most developed in the Arctic. Therefore, guests will find many options for snowmobiling, reindeer and dog sledding. For example, in Murmansk there is a cozy husky park, Husky camp. However, the entertainment is so popular that it is better to book your seats in advance, especially during the New Year holidays.
Fans of active leisure can spend their holidays on the slopes of the Khibiny ski resort, located in the Murmansk region near Kirovsk and Apatity. There are two popular complexes on its territory. “Bolshoi Vudyavr” is a large ski park with many tracks of different difficulty levels and comfortable lifts. “Kukisvumchorr” can offer no more than 10 trails and rope tows, which is not very comfortable for beginner athletes. During the polar night season, you can often see the northern lights here. And to be sure to catch him, go looking for him as part of an expedition with guides.
Where to stay: four-star Renaissance boutique hotel (rating 9.3) – from 5,200 rubles per night*.
How to get there: by plane or train from Leningradsky station to Murmansk. You can get to Teriberka from Murmansk by SUV or bus, but the most comfortable way is accompanied by a guide. To Khibiny – by plane to the airport in Apatity, and from there by bus or taxi to the selected complex.
Arkhangelsk region
Arkhangelsk was once one of the oldest trading ports in Russia. The Museum of Artistic Development of the Arctic named after A. A. Borisov will tell about the history of Pomerania, and the Northern Maritime Museum will tell about the development of the fleet. At Cape Pur-Navolok you can imagine yourself as the founder of the city, and in the museum of wooden architecture “Little Karelians” you can immerse yourself in the life, traditions and architecture of the peoples of the North.
An icebreaker cruise is considered a unique Arctic entertainment in Arkhangelsk. One of the available options is a weekend tour along the Northern Dvina. During the trip, tourists and their crew will help a cargo ship navigate the river and maybe see seals and the northern lights. There is also an exclusive offer – a multi-day trip to the Russian Arctic National Park.
The Arkhangelsk region is also home to the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Solovetsky Monastery, where pilgrimage tours often go. In winter, it is low season on the White Sea, so you can only get to the Solovetsky Islands by plane, and it is better to book accommodation in advance.
Where to stay: three-star mini-hotel “Makarov” (rating 8.9) – from 2,300 rubles per day*.
How to get there: by plane or train from Yaroslavsky station to Arkhangelsk. From there you can take a bus to the village of Malye Korely.
Karelia
Karelia, which is only partly part of the Arctic, is one of the most popular and accessible destinations for winter holidays in Russia. The fabulous atmosphere of “Russian Lapland” attracts tourists with children. Father Frost Talviukko and his reindeer live here, and during the New Year holidays his estate is full of guests.
One of the visiting cards of Karelia is the picturesque mountain park “Ruskeala”, where tourists can come from Sortavala by retro train. In winter, an ice sculpture festival is held in the park. And if weather conditions permit, you can go ice skating on Lake Marmara.
Recreation centers located on the shores of the Karelian lakes offer ice fishing, cross-country skiing on forest trails and an evening at the spa. And in the Ladoga Skerries natural complex you can admire the harsh rocks and snow-covered forest from aboard a hovercraft.
There are many options for active recreation for those who do not want to leave the city for a long time. One of the most famous ski and biathlon complexes, Kurgan, is located in Petrozavodsk, and in the Pirate Bay wake park you can go snow kiting. At the Yalgora resort, 26 km from the city, there are five cross-country ski trails, one of which is educational. You can go dog sledding at special husky centers, for example, at HUSKY MOA in Matrosy.
Where to stay: four-star hotel “Fregat” (score 10) – from 6,000 rubles per day*.
How to get there: by plane or train to Petrozavodsk.
Yakutia
A winter trip to the Sakha Republic is a challenge for extreme sports enthusiasts. Low temperatures and problems with logistics are not suitable for everyone, but this is the season where you can get a unique experience. For example, take a tour of Yakutsk and buy food at the street market, which does not stop operating even at -50 °C. Or visit Oymyakon – the coldest place on the planet where people live. The temperature record recorded at the “Pole of Cold” is -67.7 °C. It is not surprising that it was here, in the village of Tomtor, that the Yakut Father Frost, Chyskhaana, settled. Paradoxically, you can warm up in its Ice Cave, because it never gets colder than -10 °C. By the way, in March, the Pole of Cold Santa Claus festival is held in Oymyakon. Another entertainment is ice fishing on the Indigirka River, where local residents can invite you.
Where to stay: three-star hotel “Sterkh” (rating 8.1) – from 5,200 rubles per day*.
How to get there: by plane to Yakutsk, and from there by minibus to Tomtor about 15 hours.
Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug
This region will appeal to those who are looking for non-standard routes, but are not ready to go to all lengths and travel like a savage through uncharted lands.
Many tourist programs involve traveling as part of excursion groups. For example, you can live for several days in tents in the Arctic Circle. The hosts will introduce guests to the traditions of the northern peoples: during the day, tourists will immerse themselves in the life of reindeer herders, and in the evening they will ride snowmobiles and admire the northern lights.
There are several ethnoparks in the region that you can get to on your own. For example, the Yamaliya ethnopark is located right in Novy Urengoy. There are theatrical performances here that introduce the culture of indigenous peoples. Visitors can take part in traditional games, ride reindeer and dog sleds, try stroganina made from shchekura and dessert made from northern berries.
15 kilometers from Salekhard you can visit the village of Gornoknyazevsk – an open-air ethnographic museum. Here guests will take part in national holidays, listen to myths and legends, and take part in master classes. In addition, in these places the northern lights can be seen almost 200 nights a year. In Salekhard itself, the capital of the district, the Yamalo-Nenets District Museum and Exhibition Complex named after. I. S. Shemanovsky, in which the remains of the baby mammoth Lyuba are stored. This unique exhibit has gained worldwide fame due to the incredible degree of preservation of the body. Previously, scientists were unable to find almost complete mammoths.
Where to stay: Hotel “Metelitsa” (score 9) – from 8,500 rubles per night*.
How to get there: by plane to Salekhard.
*Prices are current at the time of publication.
