The majority of Russians like winter, a recent poll discovered. However, only 8% of Russians consider it the favourite time of the year. (It’s surprising some people consider it the best season at all, isn’t it?)
Most Russians cannot imagine life without winter
Possibly, because they have never experienced life without a snowy season?
Even the warmest parts of Russia, which is Sochi and Krasnodar region on the Black Sea, are not that warm during the months of December, January, and February. The average temperature there during this season is about 12˚C (53˚F) during the day and 5˚C (41˚F) at nights. Snow is rare but it does happen from time to time.
The rest of Russia experiences snowy winters: From mild in the European part of the country, to severe in Siberia.
It is in Russia that the coldest inhabited place on Earth is located in Oymyakon, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Temperatures in winter drop to -67˚C (-89˚F). Weather of -50˚C (-58˚F) is viewed as nothing special. Winter days when the temperature drops only to -30˚C (-37˚F) are viewed as “warm” and kids may buy an ice cream on the way home from school.
Of course, these temperatures typical for Yakutia are extreme by Russian standards. Most Russian cities consider drops to -25˚C as “very cold” and primary school students could be ordered to stay home in cities near Moscow because of such extreme weather.
64% of Russians don’t think that winter has any impact on a person’s physical and emotional state
Amazingly, 2 in 3 respondents don’t believe that cold weather has any negative impact on a person’s wellbeing, while 31% of locals believe that a person feels emotionally and physically less agile during winter.
It is surprising, however, that whopping 8% of Russians consider winter their favourite time of the year! Not only that, 70% of respondents to a recent poll by WCIOM stated they like winter.
Do you think it’s because they simply don’t know better? Or do they really enjoy the cold weather? Actually, not: 54% of respondents said they didn’t like cold in winter. 16% of respondents aren’t happy about dirt and mud in winter, while 10% complained about ice on roads.
Further 7% aren’t happy about darkness: On the large part of the territory of Russia, when people go to work in December, they leave homes in the dark and come back from the office in the darkness again.
70% of respondents to a recent poll by WCIOM stated they like winter.
Why do Russians like winter?
- Snow and all the scenery turning white is the biggest reason to enjoy this season: 38% of poll participants mentioned that.
- 25% of respondents enjoy winter sports: Skiing, ice skating, etc.
- 20% love the New Year celebrations, which many Russians cannot imagine without snow and cold.
- 18% of poll participants actually like the cold!
- 11% of people love the freshness of the air during this season.
Now you know why Russians like winter!
Ask your Russian girlfriend if she likes winter and if yes, ask her what does she like the most? See if her responses are close to the popular opinions!
Read also:
- The ideal winter holiday: What Russians would love to do?
- How Russian women look in winter
- Best Russian cities to visit
- Is it always cold in Russia?
If Russian women, or more generalized, women from the FSU don’t hate winter, they would make good life partners for Canadian men like me! Personally, I could live with a lot less winter than what we have here in parts of British Columbia, Canada How do women from the FSU like countries like Australia, with no winter at all? I have been to central Ukraine and to Moscow in the winter. It was not all that bad! However, White Nights in St. Petersburg and spring in Belarus were much more enjoyable! In my humble opinion, the countries of the Former… Read more »
Horst, I am from Russia and live in Australia, and I love not having winters at all! I have no idea how people in Russia like winter, but I guess it’s just what you are used to. I always get cold and freezing temperatures aren’t making me too happy, this is why I chose a country with no snow! 😉 But apparently, many Russian women love having 4 seasons.