Winter is serious business in these 10 icy places, where freezing temperatures are a year-round norm. Snow-buried Siberian villages and frosty Canadian towns are just the beginning; people here live on a different level of chill. Curious to learn how they make it work? Keep reading.
Oymyakon, Russia
Located in Siberia, Oymyakon is no joke when it comes to cold. Residents here face jaw-dropping temperatures as low as -89.9°F (-67.7°C)! But instead of hiding indoors, locals are stocked with fur layers and plenty of hot tea to stay cozy.
Snag, Canada
Folks from Snag are used to frozen settings, which makes layered clothing a must. This small Yukon village once hit -81.4°F (-63°C) and earned a spot on the coldest places list. If you ever visit, don’t expect your breath to last long—it freezes instantly!
Norilsk, Russia
Norilsk experiences average winters around -30°C to -40°C, with temperature lows reaching below -50°C. The town is so isolated that residents fly in or out because no roads connect it to other cities. Its extreme winters haven’t chased people away, though. They stay busy with indoor fun and community events.
Yellowknife, Canada
Yellowknife, as Canada’s coldest capital, is no stranger to frost, regularly dropping to -40°F (-40°C) in winter and -31°F (-35°C) in deep winter. Residents embrace the Arctic vibe with true northern spirit and dive into cool activities like dog sledding and snowshoeing. They don’t mind the chills.
Barrow (Utqiaġvik), Alaska
Welcome to America’s northernmost town! Barrow’s average winter temps hover around -20°F to -30°F in January and February. Sunlight disappears for about two months each winter, but residents keep their spirits high with community events. Living here means adapting to life under a big Arctic sky.
Verkhoyansk, Russia
Verkhoyansk, situated in Siberia, rivals Oymyakon for Earth’s coldest inhabited spot. No matter if it’s ice fishing or sledding in -89.8°F (-67.7°C), people here know how to make the most of long, snowy winters. The residents? They’re tough, no question.
Dudinka, Russia
Dudinka is in the Siberian wilderness, where winter temperatures dip to -49.3°F (-45.2°C). When a town is so cold that frostbite is a risk just walking outside, residents become pros at dealing with it. Life here revolves around indoor activities and staying close to family.
Yakutsk, Russia
Often called the “coldest city on Earth,” Yakutsk averages around -30°F (-34°C) in January, though the record lows can reach -64.4°F (-53.6°C). This Siberian city keeps life running smoothly with heated buildings, underground passages, and bustling markets—even in freezing weather.
Salla, Finland
Salla can dip as low as -49°F (-45°C), but locals wouldn’t have it any other way. Cross-country skiing and reindeer races keep spirits high and prove that cold can be a whole lot of fun. This small Finnish town embraces the cold with festivals and sports.
Iqaluit, Canada
Way up in Canada’s Nunavut territory, Iqaluit residents face long winters that easily reach -40°F. Here, life is all about connecting with the land and surviving the Arctic chill, with traditional practices like hunting and ice fishing at the heart of daily life.
