Dive into the heart of winter with our guide to the coldest places on Earth. Discover what makes Antarctica the coldest place in the world, along with other frigid destinations like the Hakkōda Mountains and Ellesmere Island. Learn about the extreme conditions and unique wildlife and how to experience these icy wonders firsthand. Whether you’re drawn to the serene beauty of snowscapes or the thrill of extreme cold, this guide unveils the globe’s ultimate cold-weather adventures.
The Coldest Places on Earth
Embarking on a journey to frigid destinations is a surefire way to fall head over heels for the planet’s most untamed corners. As temperatures nosedive, you’ll find yourself captivated by landscapes adorned with snow, ice, and sub-zero summits. It’s no surprise that the coldest places in the world happen to be the most remote, rugged, and challenging to reach. Yet, these icy realms deserve a spot on the bucket list of any serious traveller.
Whether it’s an Alaskan national park, the glaciers of Scandinavia, or a mesmerising Japanese snow corridor, these destinations promise to send more than just a shiver down your spine – they’re an invitation to experience the wild beauty of the world in a completely new way. Let’s explore the coldest places on Earth.
Antarctica
Exquisitely surreal, Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth, blanketed by the world’s largest ice sheet, sprawling across approximately 19 million sq km (7.3 million sq miles) during winter. It stands as the epitome of frigidity on our planet, and reaching this icy realm is no walk in the park. Most people travel to Antarctica through organised expeditions or cruises, as there are no commercial airlines flying directly to the continent. The payoff? Five days immersed in the awe-inspiring wonders of nature, encountering everything from majestic whales to whimsically shaped icebergs.
Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, Iceland
This northwestern extension of Iceland isn’t the typical nature reserve one might envision, lacking neatly marked trails or informational placards about local wildlife. In fact, there isn’t much of anything here. Isolated for a considerable time by the Drangajökull glacier from the rest of Iceland, Hornstrandir’s frigid expanse features untamed peaks, tundra, colossal cliffs, and storm-battered shores. Visitors will perceive an extra chill as they have to trek and camp in this wild terrain to truly experience it. Historically recognised as a place of exile for Icelanders, including the father of the legendary Viking Erik the Red, Hornstrandir has evolved into one of Europe’s most untamed trekking destinations. Hiking through the bogs and river crossings can quickly leave adventurers soaked, and even in the best-case scenario, temperatures rarely reach double digits, posing challenges for drying off. The silver lining in this tundra-covered landscape? The extreme cold contributes to breathtaking natural beauty.
Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland
Upon arriving in Greenland, the irony of its name becomes evident rather quickly. Despite being the northernmost landmass globally, the majority of Greenland is covered in white, with an imposing 80% dominated by the massive Greenland ice sheet. The remaining terrain is rocky, as no month throughout the year averages anywhere near the minimum temperature of 10°C (50°F), essential for supporting tree life. Consequently, the colour green is a rare sight in this region. In Ittoqqortoormiit, situated on the remote east coast and ranking among the most isolated permanently inhabited communities on the planet, intrepid travellers are drawn in by exceptional wildlife encounters. The local population of polar bears, musk oxen, walruses, and narwhals surpasses the human residents, creating a unique allure. Additionally, the presence of Northeast Greenland, the world’s largest national park, adds to the area’s appeal.
Longyearbyen, Norway
As the world’s northernmost permanently inhabited settlement of notable size, Longyearbyen holds the distinction of being the capital of Svalbard, a glaciated archipelago marking the final stretch between Europe and the North Pole. The abundance of snow is such that transportation typically requires a snowmobile, and venturing beyond the town limits is only granted when accompanied by an armed guide to safeguard against roaming polar bears. Visitors to this frigid outpost can anticipate thrilling experiences such as Arctic wildlife sightings and some of the most spectacular displays of the aurora borealis on the planet.
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
A combination of elevated altitude, a location distant from any tempering coastal influences, and the chilling grip of the Siberian anticyclone ensures that Ulaanbaatar holds the title of the world’s coldest capital city. Winter visits are met with commonplace temperatures ranging from -30 °C to -40 °C (-22°F to -40°F). While Mongolia is renowned for its mesmerisingly rugged landscapes encompassing mountains, steppes, and deserts, Ulaanbaatar, despite its biting cold, offers plenty to captivate the adventurous visitor. Begin your exploration at its remarkable main square, flanked by statues honouring national heroes Genghis Khan and revolutionary Damdin Sükhbaatar, and proceed to the ornate centre of Mongolian Buddhism, Gandantegchinlen Monastery.
Denali National Park, Alaska, USA
The mere mention of “Alaska” conjures thoughts of cranking up the central heating. Now, picture the frigid temperatures experienced on the slopes of the state’s highest peak, Denali. As the planet’s coldest and third-most prominent summit, Denali’s temperatures can plunge to a bone-chilling -30 °C (-22°F) even during the peak of summer. The vast expanse of rolling foothills, tundra, and taiga forest surrounding Denali can also become quite frosty. Notably, Denali National Park stands out as one of the rare U.S. national parks where off-trail trekking is allowed, making it a magnet for adventurous souls. Among the designated paths, the Thorofare Ridge Trail, though short, presents a steep ascent and rewards hikers with breathtaking views of the mountain.
Hakkōda Mountains, Japan
No comprehensive compilation of icy destinations would be legitimate without recognising the Hakkōda Mountains, renowned as one of the snowiest regions on the globe. Just below the towering peaks, Aomori, declared the world’s snowiest city, finds itself buried under several meters of snow for approximately four months each year. The ultimate winter pursuit in this region is to explore the Hakkōda ski area, renowned for offering some of Japan’s finest backcountry snow sports. Adding to the allure is the annual effort to clear snow from the highway leading to Aomori after its wintertime closure: this month-long endeavour results in a corridor bordered by walls of snow standing at around 8 meters (16 feet) high, creating a picturesque pathway for capturing delightful wintertime snapshots.
Ellesmere Island, Canada
Among the numerous icy expanses in northern Canada, Ellesmere Island in the province of Nunavut claims the title of being the most polar of them all. This northernmost landmass on the planet (excluding Greenland) consistently secures the position of the coldest spot in Canada year after year. Within its borders, the Inuit community of Grise Fjord holds the accolade of possibly being the most frigid, permanently inhabited place on Earth. The island, adorned with ice fields, boasts a staggering topographical diversity that supports an unparalleled range of Arctic wildlife. It is one of the last bastions where musk oxen roam freely and is also home to significant numbers of polar bears and Arctic wolves. The most accessible way to experience this frozen wonder is by including it as a stop on an Arctic cruise.
Punta Arenas, Chile
In Punta Arenas, one of Chile’s and the world’s southernmost settlements, the relentless wind sends chills down your spine. Perched along the solemn waters of the Strait of Magellan in Chilean Patagonia, the city experiences gusts averaging over 22 km/h (14 mph) – a perpetual, year-round moderate breeze on the Beaufort Scale. So, why make the journey to almost the end of the world as we know it? Punta Arenas serves as the gateway to once-in-a-lifetime excursions to the otherworldly trekking haven of Torres del Paine or onward expeditions to Antarctica.
Vestland County, Norway
This expanse of western Norway, adorned with intricate fjords, has earned a plethora of weather records owing to its remarkable levels of precipitation and snowfall. Commence your spine-chilling expedition in Bergen, recognised as one of the most rain-laden cities in Europe, where the anticipation of rainfall hovers over half the time. Venture northeast to Jostedalsbreen National Park, enveloping the most formidable glacier in continental Europe, or head southeast towards another colossal glacier, Folgefonna, where the Røldal ski centre beckons snow enthusiasts with the nation’s deepest accumulations of powder.
