TOO COLD FOR RUSSIA?
Moscow, Russia
Russia isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s the land where vodka is a breakfast juice and people are killed every year by falling icicles.
Winter temperatures in Oymyakon (the coldest village on Earth) average -50C, and regularly dip to -70C 😱
But who the hell’s going to Oymyakon? As long as you stick to the cities, you’ll be A-OK. Moscow’s average for January is -8C and St Petersburg is a balmy -6C.
But what can you get up to when it’s so cold your tears have frozen?
Winter temperatures in Oymyakon (the coldest village on Earth) average -50C, and regularly dip to -70C 😱
But who the hell’s going to Oymyakon? As long as you stick to the cities, you’ll be A-OK. Moscow’s average for January is -8C and St Petersburg is a balmy -6C.
But what can you get up to when it’s so cold your tears have frozen?
Snowy Sights
The classic Russian landmarks look even better under the inevitable shit tonne of snow that winter brings. There’s palaces...And of course, St Basil's where an all-male choir (Doros) sing pretty much every day in winter.
Banya
‘Skin conditions, muscle aches, broken hearts, vodka hangovers… whatever ails you, banya is the cure.’Banya sounds pretty good, until you find out it involves beating each other with birch leaves in a sweltering sauna and then running into a frozen lake wearing only a felt hat. Why? There’s no time for questions when big Vasily comes at you with the birch stick.
Ice Skate the Red Square
There’s nothing like practicing your triple lutz-salto combo on the square normally reserved for military parades.The Red Square gets a makeover in winter, becoming an ice rink surrounded by palaces and the Kremlin.
500 rubles (£6.50) for an hour with skate hire, open from December to March.
Soviet Era Arcade Museum
“Take that Stalin, you mug!”Soviet era coins spill out of pinball machines and students get lairy over Iron Curtain foosball - this basement museum’s got 37 old school arcade games to play. Hit it up when the weather’s too dreary for anything else.
Troika Ride
Troika riding is an old Russian tradition - this harness combination is the only one which allows the horses to go at a different pace (makes the ride way smoother).Snuggle under a blanket as they trot and canter you around snowy Izmailovo Park.
