Summary
Seeking a vacation in warm climates? That is outdated. Consider the appeal of experiencing truly frigid environments on your next major journey.
Visiting exceptionally cold regions can evoke a profound appreciation for the wild aspects of our planet. Characterized by their snow, ice, and challenging terrains, the coldest destinations on Earth are typically the most isolated, rugged, and difficult to reach. Nevertheless, numerous frigid locations worldwide are ideal contenders for the itineraries of serious adventurers.
From a national park in Alaska to glaciers in Scandinavia and a snowy corridor in Japan, these locales promise to deliver more than mere chills of excitement.
Antarctica
Incredibly enchanting and otherworldly, Antarctica is enshrined by the largest ice sheet globally, covering an area of approximately 19 million sq km (7.3 million sq miles) during winter. It epitomizes the extreme cold our planet can offer, and reaching it is no simple endeavor. A typical ten-day journey aboard an expedition vessel from Ushuaia in Argentina involves several tumultuous days traversing the blustery Drake Passage. The reward? Five days immersed in unparalleled natural beauty, featuring whales and uniquely shaped icebergs.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway
The northernmost continuously inhabited settlement of significant size globally, Longyearbyen serves as the capital of Svalbard, a glaciated archipelago marking the last outpost before the North Pole in Europe. The heavy snowfall typically necessitates travel by snowmobile, and excursions beyond the town limits are only allowed with an armed guide to mitigate risks posed by roaming polar bears. Wildlife spotting expeditions and witnessing some of the finest aurora borealis displays available on Earth are among the numerous icy experiences awaiting explorers.
Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada
Among Canada’s frigid northern territories, Ellesmere Island in Nunavut province asserts its dominance as the most hyperborean destination. The most northern landmass on the planet, aside from Greenland, consistently ranks as one of Canada’s coldest locations. The Inuit community in Grise Fjord is likely the least temperate permanently inhabited area globally. This ice-clad island is characterized by stunning geographical diversity, presenting a variety of Arctic wildlife: it hosts one of the last remaining populations of musk oxen, along with significant communities of polar bears and Arctic wolves. The preferred means of visiting is typically through an Arctic cruise stopover.
Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland
Upon arriving in Greenland, one quickly grasps the irony of its name. The northernmost region on Earth predominantly appears white, with around 80% covered by the vast Greenland ice sheet. Moreover, the rocky areas do not experience temperatures necessary for tree growth, with none averaging close to the 10°C (50°F) threshold, meaning greenery is a rare sight here. In Ittoqqortoormiit, located on the east coast, one finds one of the most isolated permanent communities on Earth, where hardcore travelers are attracted by exceptional opportunities for wildlife observation—the population of polar bears, musk oxen, walruses, and narwhals dramatically exceeds that of humans—and access to the world’s largest national park, Northeast Greenland.
Denali National Park, Alaska, USA
The name “Alaska” evokes thoughts of needing substantial heating indoors. Consider, then, the extreme temperatures on the slopes of the state’s highest mountain, Denali, where even summer can see temperatures plunge to a bracing -30°C (-22°F). Denali is the coldest and the third-highest peak in the world, surrounded by expansive foothills, tundra, and taiga forests that also endure frigid conditions. Denali National Park permits off-trail hiking, an unusual opportunity attracting a multitude of adventurers. Among the designated trails, the brief but steep Thorofare Ridge Trail offers stunning vistas of the mountain.
Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, Iceland
This northwestern segment of Iceland may not align with conventional ideas of a nature reserve: one will not encounter well-marked trails or signage indicating local fauna. In fact, very little infrastructure exists. Historically, this area has been isolated from the rest of Iceland by the Drangajökull glacier, and the austere beauty of Hornstrandir’s untamed peaks, tundra, towering cliffs, and wind-swept coast will feel particularly frigid to visitors. Engaging with this environment necessitates hiking and camping amidst it. Once known as a site of exile for Icelanders (including the progenitor of the legendary Viking Erik the Red), today it ranks among Europe’s most rugged trekking areas. Hikers should prepare for boggy terrain and river crossings that can quickly lead to soggy feet, with best-case temperatures rarely exceeding single digits, complicating the drying process. However, the spectacular natural beauty here serves as a poignant counterbalance to the cold.
Hakkōda Mountains, Japan
No credible catalog of icy destinations would be comprehensive without the Hakkōda Mountains, frequently regarded as the snowiest locale on Earth. Just beneath the mountain peaks lies Aomori, celebrated as the world’s snowiest city, enduring several meters of snow for about four months each year. A highlight here is the Hakkōda ski area, offering some of Japan’s premier backcountry snow sports. Additionally, an annual event includes the significant undertaking of clearing snow from the highway leading to Aomori after winter closure, resulting in a snow corridor reaching approximately 8 meters (16 feet) high—ideal for stunning winter photos on social media.
Vestland County, Norway
This fjord-laden region of western Norway is renowned for numerous weather records due to its high precipitation and snowfall. Commence your chilling adventure in Bergen, known as one of Europe’s wettest cities, where the likelihood of rainfall exceeds half the year. Subsequently, travel northeast to Jostedalsbreen National Park, home to the largest glacier in continental Europe, or venture southeast to the expansive Folgefonna glacier for snow sports at Røldal, a ski facility that regularly receives the deepest snowfalls in the nation.
Ulanbaatar, Mongolia
Elevated significantly above sea level, distant from any coastlines that might provide milder weather, and subjected to the frigid Siberian anticyclone, Ulanbaatar stands as the coldest capital city in the world. During winter, temperatures often range between -30°C to -40°C (-22°F to -40°F). Although Mongolia is renowned for its striking natural landscapes of mountains, steppes, and deserts, should you withstand the extreme cold, the capital promises ample attractions. Start your visit at the striking main square, adorned with statues of national icons Genghis Khan and revolutionary Damdin Sükhbaatar, and explore the decorative heart of Mongolian Buddhism at Gandantegchinlen Monastery.
Punta Arenas, Chile
The relentless winds in Punta Arenas, one of the southernmost cities in Chile and the world, will chill one to the core. Overlooking the solemn waters of the Strait of Magellan in Chilean Patagonia, the city experiences gusts averaging over 22 km/h (14 mph)—representing a consistent, moderate breeze throughout the year. Why venture almost to the world’s end? The city serves as an ideal launching point for extraordinary expeditions to the enchanting trekking hub of Torres del Paine or onwards to Antarctica.
