1. Veliky Ustyug
Northern city counts the birthplace of Santa Claus. It is located in the northeastern part of the Vologda region, and winter here is almost always snowy and frosty. Guests of the city are advised to stock up on warm clothing, because many festive events take place in the open air.
Veliky Ustyug has the most tourists in December and during the New Year holidays. But travelers with children will be interested here all winter. There are special tourist programs for other periods – for example, “Spring with Santa Claus.”
In Veliky Ustyug you can take part in festive festivities, visit the office of Father Frost, and look into his museum and workshops. And also send a letter to the wizard and take a photo with him.
Santa Claus hosts receptions all year round – even in summer. And many choose quiet periods when there are fewer tourists at his residence. So, if you come here before or after the holidays, you will have a chance to talk longer with the main New Year’s wizard.
You can get here from Vologda. Or take the train from Moscow and St. Petersburg. Standard tours calculated for 2–3 days. All important information can be found at official website Santa Claus.
2. Kostroma
This city counts the birthplace of the Snow Maiden, and there are several museums dedicated to the fairy-tale beauty. Perhaps the main one is Snow Maiden’s residence, where interesting excursions and interactive activities are held for young guests. On New Year’s Eve and holidays here pass balls and performances.
Guests are waiting and Snow Maiden’s tower – a beautiful log house in which there is an exhibition and entertainment complex. Here you can hear the story of the appearance of the beloved heroine, as well as attend excursions and participate in programs for children from three years old. In addition to the Snow Maiden, guests are greeted by Cat Bayun and other fairy-tale characters.
Older children and adult tourists may be interested in visiting Snow Maiden Fashion Museum. This is an exhibition complex where you can go on a tour, attend master classes, get into the transformation hall, and then take part in a real fashion show.
The museum is also worth a visit.”The Fairytale Land of the Snow Maiden” Here you can go on an ethnographic excursion, learn about the life and traditions of past generations, and also make a cute souvenir or amulet at a master class.
3. Kazan
This is one of three most popular cities for traveling around Russia. Families with children come here all year round, including during the winter holidays. There are many beautiful architectural monuments and developed infrastructure for travelers.
In Kazan, tourists are offered many exciting excursions that may be interesting children. Young travelers go to the Kazan Kremlin, walk around the Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda, and try local cuisine. There are also excursions for schoolchildren. They can see the island town of Sviyazhsk and visit Innopolis, the center of information technology.
During the New Year holidays, the ice town near the Kazan Family Center, the largest city registry office, is very popular among residents and guests of Kazan. Next to him these days there is a huge Christmas tree. Slides, festive arches and labyrinths, and ice sculptures are being built around it. There are ice towns in other areas of the city.
4. Sheregesh
This is a village in the Kemerovo region and a resort of the same name, which is located nearby – on the slopes of Mount Zelenaya. In winter it is always frosty and snowy here. Near the resort and in the village itself there are many hotels, tourist centers and guest houses.
There are trails on the mountain slopes for both beginners and experienced athletes. You can go not only skiing, but also snowboarding. Snowmobile rides are organized for those interested. Children can ride cheesecakes from low slopes. There are also ski schools here, where even preschoolers can begin to learn the basics of the sport.
Vacationers from different parts of the country flock to Sheregesh, and many come with entire families. You can get to resorts and hotels from Novokuznetsk, as well as from Kemerovo, Gorno-Altaisk or Barnaul.
5. Belokurikha
This is a resort city in the Altai Territory. It is located in the foothills of Altai, where many springs with thermal waters come to the surface. Therefore, there are many balneological centers and sanatoriums here.
In Belokurikha you can improve your health, relax and admire the beautiful scenery. Sports lovers choose ski resorts. There are tracks for both beginners and professionals. The sports season begins in November and lasts until April, although you can relax in sanatoriums and hotels all year round.
For children, tourist centers hold master classes, games and fun workouts.
You can get to Belokurikha from Novosibirsk, Biysk or Barnaul.
6. Abzakovo
Abzakovo is a ski resort in Bashkiria, one of the most beautiful places in the Southern Urals. There are sports and recreation centers and sanatoriums, hotels and ski resorts. Those who want to relax in comfort look for hotels in the foothills, and athletes choose specialized ski resorts.
Here you can have a great time with the whole family. Children will be interested in visiting the water park, taking part in exciting quests, trying their hand at culinary master classes, and learning how to stand on alpine skis. Many resorts also offer special excursions that will appeal to both adults and young travelers.
You can get here from Ufa or Magnitogorsk.
7. Krasnaya Polyana
One of the most famous ski resorts in Russia, which is located next to Sochi. It has a developed infrastructure, which is very important for vacationers with children.
There are many trails of varying difficulty, including those suitable for beginners. There are children’s ski schools and a specially equipped slope for young athletes. There is also something to do outside the mountain slopes. The resort has entertainment centers with trampolines and playgrounds. You can go on an excursion to the husky center or the archeology museum. There is a water park and classes are held in children’s creative studios.
Tourists can choose from a variety of hotels, apartments or guest houses. All details on official website resort.
8. Karelia
The north of the country attracts many tourists in winter. Here you can visit the scenery of a real fairy tale: see a snow-covered forest, ice-covered lakes and rivers. Many travelers strive to see the Kivach waterfall, which is located in the eponymous nature reserve. This corner amazes with its beauty. Waterfall height – approx. 11 metersand it rarely freezes even in severe frosts.
In Karelia, tourists have access to almost all types of winter recreation. There are many sanatoriums and tourist centers in Petrozavodsk, Kondopoga and the surrounding area of Lake Onega. Here you can simply relax with the whole family, as well as go skiing, dog sledding, and visit the residence of the Karelian Father Frost, a relative of the Veliky Ustyug wizard. You can also go on an excursion to Kizhi or to Ruskeala Park.
Fans of mountain trails will also not be bored. There are several ski resorts in Karelia: Kurgan, Yalgora, Malaya Medvezhka and others. Younger children here ski from specially equipped slopes on cheesecakes, and more prepared children get up on alpine skis or snowboards.
You can safely go to Karelia throughout the winter: at this time the temperature there rarely rises above zero, and the snowdrifts do not melt until spring. It’s better to go to Petrozavodsk.
9. Baikal
It’s very pleasant to relax here in the summer, but people also come here in the winter, including families. In the vicinity of Lake Baikal there is wonderful nature, clean air and amazing views.
In winter, tourists can go snowmobiling and skiing, visit museums in Irkutsk and the surrounding area, and from about mid-January – walk on the durable Baikal ice.
Many people choose to vacation at ski resorts. Perhaps the most famous tracks are located on Mount Sobolina near the city of Baikalsk. There are many hotels, recreation centers and guest houses where tourists are welcome. Typically, travelers stay in Irkutsk, Baikalsk or choose a hotel in the vicinity of Sobolina, on the territory of the Baikal ski resort.
10. Kaliningrad
This direction is more likely to be of interest to school-age children than to toddlers.
The weather in Kaliningrad is not constant. It is possible that you will be greeted by frosts, or maybe slush and rain. But the city is equally beautiful at any time of the year. Here you can walk along the picturesque streets and squares, explore the old fortifications of Königsberg, and visit the shores of the Baltic Sea. The city’s museums await tourists all year round.
Both adults and children will find it interesting Amber Museum. Here you can learn about the types of solar mineral, its origin and methods of extraction. There is a huge collection of jewelry and amber items that were used in everyday life. You can also see a unique collection of products made by stone cutters of the 17th–18th centuries. The museum exhibits biggest amber nugget of Russia – its weight is 4 kg 280 g.
It’s also worth going to Museum of the World Ocean is the largest museum of its kind in the country. Its exhibitions will be of interest to both those who are interested in studying marine flora and fauna, and history buffs. Take a look at Marzipan Museum — here you can learn about the history of the famous dessert. And also take part in a master class and learn how to prepare Königsberg marzipan according to an old recipe.
Tell us, where did you vacation in winter with your children? And where do you recommend going?
For those who can’t live without traveling 🛤✈️🧳
