Top 10 Coldest Cities in the World

When it's hot outside, some people say they want to go somewhere cold. We've compiled a list of cities where it's cold almost all year round—places where even the summer sun doesn’t quite chase away the chill. Give this list to those warm-weather complainers who crave the cold!

Snag, Canada

Snag is a small village in the Yukon Territory in northwestern Canada, and it’s known for recording some of the lowest temperatures in North America. Winters here are extremely cold, with temperatures often falling below -30°C, and the record low, set in 1947, reached -63°C.

Snag’s history is tied to the Yukon’s Klondike Gold Rush, which drew thousands of people from all over the world in the late 19th century. While the population is now sparse, Snag remains a part of Canada’s rugged heritage, attracting the occasional adventurous traveler looking for an extreme experience, much like those seeking a thrilling time at Stay Casino. The village is located in an area with subarctic to arctic conditions, where low humidity and long winter nights intensify the cold.

Utqiagvik, USA

Utqiagvik, formerly known as Barrow, is the northernmost city in the United States, located in Alaska. Winters here are not only cold, with temperatures ranging from -20°C to -30°C, but they’re also dark, with the polar night lasting from November through January. January is typically the coldest month, with temperatures often reaching -30°C or lower.

The majority of Utqiagvik’s population is Indigenous Iñupiat, who have adapted to the harsh environment with traditional hunting and fishing practices. Despite its remote and challenging location, Utqiagvik remains a tight-knit community. The city’s close connection to the land and ocean has fostered a unique culture centered on resilience and respect for the environment.

Verkhoyansk, Russia

Verkhoyansk is a town in Russia’s Sakha Republic (Yakutia), a region renowned for its unforgiving winter temperatures. Verkhoyansk is not just cold; it’s one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth. The town regularly sees winter temperatures plummet to -50°C and lower. In fact, on 15 January 1885, Verkhoyansk set a record when temperatures reached -67.8°C, a figure that ties it as one of the two “poles of cold” in the Northern Hemisphere, alongside the nearby town of Oymyakon.

Despite these frigid winters, Verkhoyansk experiences a sharp temperature contrast in summer. July temperatures can occasionally exceed 30°C, making it one of the few places in the world where such extreme temperature variations exist. This contrast is due to the region’s continental climate, which lacks the moderating influence of nearby oceans. As one of Russia's oldest towns, Verkhoyansk has a unique history as a Cossack outpost and later as a place of exile, underscoring the resilience of its inhabitants.

Oymyakon, Russia

Oymyakon, another town in Yakutia, is known as the “Pole of Cold” due to its record low temperatures, reaching down to -67.7°C. Located far from any ocean, Oymyakon experiences a sharply continental climate, where temperatures often stay well below freezing throughout the winter. In January, it’s not unusual for temperatures to hover around -50°C for days on end, creating an environment that few places can match for harshness.

In Oymyakon, summers are short and cool, with average maximum temperatures reaching only around 20°C. The town has a permanent population of about 500-1000 people, most of whom survive through traditional subsistence activities, like hunting and fishing. Reindeer herding is also an important part of life, as the animals provide food, clothing, and transportation. The people of Oymyakon have adapted their lifestyles to the cold, including diets rich in animal fats to fuel their bodies against the extreme cold.

Yakutsk, Russia

Yakutsk is often called the “Permafrost Kingdom” due to the layer of permanently frozen ground that lies beneath the city and much of the surrounding region. Like Oymyakon, Yakutsk is situated in an isolated, mountainous area that traps cold air, making it one of the coldest major cities in the world. During winter, temperatures frequently dip below -40°C, with January averages around -38°C.

One of the unique features of Yakutsk’s infrastructure is its adaptation to permafrost, which affects everything from construction to transportation. Buildings are often elevated on stilts to prevent them from heating the ground below and causing structural instability. Despite the cold, Yakutsk is a bustling city with over 300,000 residents, and it serves as a hub for the diamond industry, which helps fuel the local economy. The city’s cultural institutions, including theaters, museums, and festivals, create a vibrant community life, even in the depths of winter.

Norilsk, Russia

Norilsk, located above the Arctic Circle in Russia's Krasnoyarsk region, is infamous for its severe climate and extended winter. Here, winter stretches on for around eight months, from October to May, with temperatures averaging between -20°C and -30°C. On particularly cold days, it can drop as low as -50°C.

Norilsk is known not only for its cold but also for its heavy industrialization. It is one of the largest producers of nickel and palladium, a legacy that has environmental impacts and poses challenges for residents. Summers in Norilsk are brief and cool, with temperatures rarely rising above 15-20°C. Norilsk’s isolation and limited sunlight in winter make it one of the most challenging places to live, yet the community continues to thrive amid these extreme conditions.

Dudinka, Russia

Dudinka is a port city located on the Yenisei River in Russia’s Krasnoyarsk Territory. Winters here are brutally cold, with temperatures often dropping below -30°C and even reaching -50°C at times. The climate is sharply continental and subarctic, leading to long winters from October to April.

Dudinka is unique as a port city because the river freezes over during the winter months, only opening up for shipping in the summer. The area is rich in natural resources, particularly metals, making Dudinka an important industrial center. Although summers are brief and cool, with July temperatures averaging between 10°C and 15°C, Dudinka is a vital link in Russia’s Arctic economy.

Taloyoak, Canada

Located in Canada’s Nunavut Territory, Taloyoak, also known as Yoa Haven, is known for its extreme temperatures and remote location. Winters are long and frigid, with average temperatures dropping to between -23°C and -34°C. January is typically the coldest month, averaging around -26°C.

The town was initially founded as a trading post, and today it is home to around 1,300 people, most of whom are Inuit. Despite the challenging climate, Taloyoak has a strong sense of community and a rich cultural heritage rooted in Inuit traditions. Subsistence activities like fishing, hunting, and gathering are common here, and the town is renowned for its traditional Inuit arts and crafts.

Astana, Kazakhstan

Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, experiences some of the most extreme temperature swings of any major city in the world. Winter temperatures can drop below -20°C, with the coldest days seeing lows of -35°C or more. Summers, by contrast, are often hot and dry, with temperatures climbing above 30°C in July and August.

Astana’s winters are made harsher by strong winds that sweep through the open plains, adding to the city’s chill factor. As one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing cities, Astana’s infrastructure is designed to withstand the cold, with well-insulated buildings and underground walkways to protect residents from the elements. The city has become a hub of cultural and political activity, showcasing Kazakhstan’s modern aspirations amid its traditional heritage.

International Falls, USA

Known as the “Icebox of the Nation,” International Falls in Minnesota is famous for its frigid winters, with average temperatures in January often falling below -20°C. This city, located near the Canadian border, is one of the coldest places in the contiguous United States.

International Falls has built an identity around its cold climate, with winter festivals and events that celebrate the cold. Summers are pleasantly warm, reaching up to 25-30°C. Logging and paper production are key economic activities here, and the community’s robust infrastructure reflects the adaptations needed to endure long, harsh winters.

Conclusion

Exploring these coldest cities in the world offers insight into the remarkable ways in which people adapt to some of the harshest climates on Earth. From the isolated villages of Siberia to the northern reaches of Canada and Alaska, communities have learned not only to survive but to thrive in these extreme environments. These places showcase the resilience of human spirit and ingenuity, with each location developing unique adaptations to endure long, dark, and frigid winters.

In cities like Verkhoyansk and Oymyakon, the cold has become a defining feature, shaping daily life, architecture, and even cultural practices. Similarly, in Canadian and Alaskan towns, communities embrace their environment through traditional practices, such as hunting and fishing, and innovative infrastructure to cope with permafrost and lack of sunlight. Moreover, the seasonal festivities and activities, like winter fairs in International Falls and the Inuit arts and crafts in Taloyoak, reflect how these populations find joy and connection despite the isolation and extreme cold.

This list of coldest cities is a testament to the human capacity for adaptation. It also highlights the ways in which climate, geography, and cultural heritage intertwine to form distinct identities for each city. While some of these places may seem inhospitable, they remind us of the unique beauty that winter holds and the incredible strength of the communities that call these frosty environments home.