winter in Moscow and beyond
Snow draped Madrid to a standstill, while Barcelona faced biting cold that kept many indoors. Yet Moscow pressed on, its center crowded on weekends as if it were summer. Snowstorms did not deter the city’s pulse; fleets of public workers with shovels kept the main avenues passable, preserving the rhythm of life in the heart of the capital.
When temperatures plunge below minus ten or even minus fifteen, small ice crystals form, sometimes alarming outsiders. Yet Muscovites continue their routines across the city. Walking couples, families holding hands in the center, ice skaters in parks, and venues at the foot of the Kremlin all remain visible in the harshest winter. These images endure, a testament to resilience and tradition.
Anna from Moscow notes that winter in Russia lasts for more than six months, so it is never truly too cold for everyday life. Outdoor skating continues, temperatures hovering around minus ten, and the view is that one can always add more layers to stay warm while enjoying skiing or skating. She recalls childhood holidays when January always meant skating. Even when temperatures dip to minus fifteen or minus twenty, the common winter range in the capital typically sits between minus two and minus ten, a far cry from Siberia where winter can reach minus forty.
No rush dominates the central streets; there is a quiet charm as festive lights signal important dates ahead of the year’s end. Christmas is celebrated on a different date in Russia, January six, which adds a festive mood in the weeks leading to the holiday. The new year remains a key moment, and on the first day of the year Russians often exchange gifts bought in December with loved ones.
warm interiors
Beyond heavy coats the iconic Kalpas hats and robust boots offer some relief as winter arrives. With hydrocarbon resources powering the central heating system, indoor spaces are kept comfortable, often rising above room temperature. Inside, it can feel almost summery as large buildings and cafés temper the chill outside with reliable warmth.
In many Russian cities the subterranean world offers shelter from the cold, providing routes where temperature remains consistent and street entrances stay well insulated. Doors inside the metro area are heavy and frequently kept open to preserve warmth for the elderly and children who traverse the underground networks.
From the metro it is easy to reach malls and shops, with kiosks lining transfer corridors offering a range of goods from phone accessories to groceries and clothing. Underground passages, sometimes called perekhod in Russian, connect the sides of busy streets and facilitate movement in winter. These corridors host vendors who dress warmly for thousands of commuters each day, while smaller shops on the fringe may require lighter garments indoors.
Historically these passageways carried risks in the 1990s, including crime and danger. Today they are recognized as everyday hubs of commerce and social life, a contrast to their tougher past and a reminder of how city life endures even in deep cold.