Where to go on winter holidays with a child: the most unusual routes in Russia

How we chose the directions for this article

We have selected routes that are interesting for children of different ages and at the same time comfortable for parents. Our goal is to help you find the perfect answer to the question of where to go with your child for the winter holidays,and at the same time enjoy the trip yourself.

The selection includes places where you can feel like a real winter fairy tale, have active entertainment, and have well—developed infrastructure. All the suggested options are suitable for a trip of 3-7 days, they give vivid emotions to both the youngest and adult tourists.

Fabulous routes: to where the New Year lives

If you want the holiday to last all the holidays, go to the place where its main characters live. Consider routes — ready-made scenarios for a family fairy tale:

• Veliky Ustyug. In the official residence of Santa Claus, you can walk along the Fairy Tale Trail, send a letter with a special postmark and really feel the festive atmosphere.
• Kostroma. The Snow Maiden's Tower is located here. Interactive programs and light shows are waiting for you to visit the granddaughter of Santa Claus in the park dedicated to her.
• Kirov (Vyatka). The city is famous for its folk art, the Dymkovo toy. During the New Year's holidays, you can paint a clay figurine yourself, and the Vyatka Museum in the Palm of your Hand will captivate visitors of any age with the history of the region.
• Karelia, Talviukko manor. This is the residence of Karelian Santa Claus. Here you can get acquainted with him and his assistants, visit a kennel of sled dogs, a deer farm, a Sami village. The main winter activities are dog or reindeer sledding and Finnish sleigh rides.

These destinations are a great choice if you want to fully immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere and give the whole family a miracle experience.

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Big cities with a busy winter program

Million-plus cities are a win—win option for those who are looking for a place to relax with their child during the winter holidays. Their main advantage is the incredible variety.: theaters, festivals, Christmas trees, ice towns, ice rinks for every taste. If it's freezing outside, you can quickly change your plans by going to a museum, a themed cafe, or a free show.

Where to go on winter holidays with children to make your city vacation especially intense:

• Moscow. During the holidays, the capital turns into a huge fairyland with spectacular illumination, ice sculptures, New Year's fairs and workshops. To make your rest at the end of a day filled with walks as comfortable as possible, book a room at the Mercure Moscow Baumanskaya. This is a stylish boutique hotel in the city center. In the evenings, you can discuss your impressions over dinner at the Restobar 23.11, where breakfast is served. 
• Saint-Petersburg. The northern capital enchants with its special Christmas atmosphere, beautifully illuminated main streets and embankments. You should definitely see the main Christmas tree on the Palace Square, go to a children's musical, try to get a ticket to the "Nutcracker" at the Mariinsky Theater, go skating in New Holland. To stay in the heart of the action, make a reservation at Novotel Saint Petersburg Center. Nevsky Prospekt, the metro, and the main attractions of the city are within walking distance from here. The hotel has a hammam, a fitness room, a pastry shop, a lobby bar, and needles. Any family member will find a way to relax and have a good rest.
• Nizhniy Novgorod. The city offers a cozy and very sincere celebration near the walls of the ancient Kremlin and on the pedestrian Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street. There are fairs, ice towns with slides for children, and family skating rinks with music. Within walking distance from the main Christmas tree and attractions is the Mercure Nizhny Novgorod Center hotel. Guests can enjoy a branded restaurant, a 24-hour lobby bar, a fitness center, buffet breakfasts, and, of course, comfortable and spacious rooms.
• Yekaterinburg. The dynamic Ural metropolis surprises with bright modern shows and large-scale ice sculptures. Children will be impressed by visiting the circus or the water park, and the whole family can go to one of the many theatrical Christmas trees. The Novotel Yekaterinburg Center will be an excellent base for relaxation after daytime activities. A hammam, massage, relaxation room, restaurant, room service are available for guests. 

By choosing a big city as a vacation destination for the New Year holidays, you get maximum freedom in route planning and guaranteed comfort for the whole family.

Active winter holidays with children: where should fans of constant movement go

If your family prefers a dynamic vacation, ski resorts offer the perfect balance of sport, nature and fun. The choice of entertainment here goes far beyond skiing or snowboarding.

We have selected destinations that are suitable for experienced athletes, adult beginners, and very young travelers:

Krasnaya Polyana. A modern resort with well-groomed slopes of varying complexity and well-developed infrastructure. In addition to skiing or snowboarding, you can go tubing, visit the water park, and stroll through the cozy streets. The ideal place for a family holiday will be Novotel FIT Krasnaya Polyana. The hotel is located in the center of the resort, just a few steps from the cable car. Guests can enjoy the panoramic Belvedere restaurant, equipment storage rooms, and a gym. The accommodation includes a cable car ride between levels 540-960 m. The cherry on the cake is the rooms with views of the snow—capped peaks.

Sheregesh. The main ski resort in Siberia attracts with high-quality trails and a special atmosphere. All conditions for recreation with children are created here: there are educational slopes, a children's ski school "Nevalyashka", trails for skiing on cheesecakes. Families will also be interested in visiting the Yeti Park with interactive programs or the petting zoo at the Medvezhonok campsite.

Abzakovo. The resort in the Southern Urals is great for family holidays. The well-thought-out infrastructure includes 16 km of trails, among which there are safe routes for beginners and children. Mountain and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, skating rink, tubing are available. For a change, you can visit a water park, a zoo or a themed dinopark.

Ski resorts prove that active recreation is not only a sport, but also a lot of opportunities for family leisure. Here everyone will find something to do according to their age and interests.

Wow effect: which places in Russia delight in winter

Some trips are memorable for the rest of your life, because they give you the feeling of a miracle that has happened. Such trips are an investment in vivid family memories and horizons.

We offer directions that are guaranteed to cause a flurry of positive emotions and help you make amazing discoveries. Expand your child's horizons and be surprised by the beauty of winter Russia.

Murmansk region

A trip here is an introduction to the mysterious Arctic, especially beautiful during the winter holidays. The main goal is to see the northern lights, the dance of green and purple lights in the sky. The whole family will be delighted to interact with the reindeer in the Sami village, ride husky dog sleds and tell stories about the culture of the indigenous peoples of the North.

Karelia

Snow—white expanses, frozen waterfalls and ice-bound lakes - the landscapes here seem to have descended from the pages of a fairy tale. This is an ideal place to try your hand at driving a dog sled, ride a snowmobile along forest trails, warm up with fragrant tea and traditional Karelian pastries in an old wooden hut. Such a trip teaches you to appreciate the harsh beauty of nature and gives you a sense of true adventure.

Kaliningrad

The city will give you the feeling of moving to Christmas Europe without having to travel outside of Russia. Cobblestone streets, Gothic architecture, cozy fairs with mulled wine and gingerbread — there is a special atmosphere here. To immerse yourself in it comfortably, select Mercure Kaliningrad Center.

The stylish design hotel on the shores of Lake Superior is within walking distance of the Amber Museum and other attractions. The author's design is inspired by Hoffmann's fairy tale "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King". In the restaurant and steakhouse at the hotel there is a treat for everyone to taste. After a walk, guests can relax in the spa lounge or massage room.

Practical tips for parents

To make the winter holidays go smoothly and leave only pleasant memories, it is useful to consider some practical tips that will tell you how to spend winter holidays with children with maximum comfort. Proper planning and preparation will help the whole family enjoy their vacation to the fullest, regardless of the chosen destination.

How to properly dress children in the cold

The principle of winter wardrobe for active or urban recreation is layering. This allows you to regulate body temperature, prevent hypothermia or overheating.

• The first layer is thermal underwear. It removes moisture from the body. Synthetic (made of polyester or polypropylene) is suitable for active walks, woolen for calm ones.
• The second layer is insulation. Keeps you warm. A fleece jacket or a wool sweater is ideal.
• The third layer is outerwear. Protects from wind, snow, and moisture. Choose jackets or overalls made of windproof and waterproof membrane fabrics.

Additional tips relate to shoes, accessories, and monitoring the physical condition of children. Mittens should be waterproof, shoes should be warm, with non—slip soles and, preferably, with a membrane. Do not cover children's mouths and noses with a scarf: breathing will make the fabric wet and cold.

If a child turns pale, becomes sluggish, or has cold wrists or the bridge of his nose, he freezes. He was flushed and sweating—he was overheated. Take appropriate measures to resolve the issue.

Planning activities: when to go outside and when to go indoors

Winter weather is changeable, so it's important to have a flexible travel entertainment plan. For skiing, sculpting snow fortresses, and walking in the park, choose daylight hours and days when the frost is light and the wind is minimal. An alternative in case of a snowstorm or extreme cold is a pre—compiled list of indoor locations: museums, theaters, water parks, and game centers.

An interesting day can be arranged at the hotel. To do this, stock up on board games or come up with an improvised script for a family theater production.

Why you need to book a hotel in advance

The New Year period is the peak of demand, so early planning is critically important. When making a reservation at the last moment, there may be problems with the availability of rooms or their cost.

The Accor hotel chain offers favorable rates for early bookings. On our website it is easy to choose an option with optimal conditions for family holidays: for example, with free accommodation for children, game rooms or a special menu.

Make a fairy tale a reality

Winter in Russia opens up limitless opportunities for family holidays. Each of the routes we have described can turn an ordinary vacation into a fairy tale. It is only important to choose a format that meets the interests of your family and will bring joy to each of its members.

Don't put off the magic for later. Decide on a destination, choose a suitable hotel for a comfortable stay with children and book a room in advance at accor.ru. Let your winter adventures become the brightest and warmest memories of this year.