What It’s Like to Live in the Coldest Place on Earth

When we think of extreme cold, we might imagine shivering winters or frosty mornings. But in some places on Earth, winter is not just a season—it’s a way of life. The coldest inhabited place on our planet is the village of Oymyakon, located in the Siberian region of Russia. With recorded temperatures plunging to a mind-numbing -67.7°C (-89.9°F), this remote community experiences a cold that is beyond comprehension for most of us.

How do people live here? What does daily life look like in a place where your breath freezes midair and cars must run all day to avoid turning into blocks of ice? This blog takes you deep into the frozen world of Oymyakon to uncover the remarkable human resilience that makes survival possible.

1. Where Is the Coldest Place on Earth?

Oymyakon is located in the Sakha Republic, also known as Yakutia, in northeastern Siberia. It lies roughly 350 kilometers from the regional capital Yakutsk, which itself is considered one of the coldest cities on Earth.

Despite its forbidding climate, Oymyakon is home to around 500 residents. The village is surrounded by mountains that trap cold air, creating a kind of natural freezer. During the winter months, temperatures regularly drop below -50°C (-58°F), and the sun may rise for only a few hours each day.

This place is not just cold—it’s consistently cold. While Antarctica holds the record for the coldest temperature ever recorded, Oymyakon holds the title for the coldest inhabited place on Earth.

Its name means “non-freezing water,” a reference to a nearby thermal spring that never freezes and provides a slight oasis in an otherwise frozen landscape. Despite the brutal climate, Oymyakon has become a symbol of human endurance and adaptability.

2. A Day in the Life: Surviving the Deep Freeze

Clothing and Gear

Surviving in Oymyakon starts with the right clothing. Layers of wool, fur, and down are essential. Locals wear reindeer-hide boots and thick fur coats called malitsas. Eyelashes, eyebrows, and even nostrils can freeze within minutes of stepping outside.

Frostbite is a constant risk. Exposed skin can freeze in less than five minutes. Therefore, everyone bundles up with extreme precision—no room for style over substance here.

Even young children learn how to dress themselves in sub-zero temperatures. Traditional garments are still widely used because of their superior insulation and centuries-tested design.

Transportation

Most cars are kept running all day, even overnight, to prevent engines from freezing solid. If a car is turned off for too long, restarting it can be nearly impossible without professional heating tools. Batteries often fail, and fuel can gel if not treated with additives.

Public transport is rare. Locals rely on specially prepared vehicles with thick insulation and engine heaters. Some still use horses or snowmobiles to get around. Emergency kits with blankets, food, and tools are mandatory for longer journeys in case of breakdowns.

Homes and Heating

Most homes are equipped with wood-burning stoves or coal heaters. Indoor temperatures are kept comfortably warm, but maintaining heat requires constant attention. Firewood and coal are stockpiled in huge quantities before winter arrives.

Water pipes are often above ground and insulated because underground pipes would freeze. Many households still use outhouses rather than indoor plumbing because flushing toilets would simply freeze solid.

Windows are often triple-glazed, and doors open inward to prevent them from freezing shut. Insulation is a serious science here—thick layers of felt, straw, and foam board are commonly used.

3. Food, Culture, and Daily Life

What Do People Eat?

The harsh environment influences diet heavily. Fresh fruits and vegetables are rare and expensive. Most people consume a high-protein, high-fat diet consisting of:

• Frozen fish like omul and muksun, eaten raw like sashimi

• Reindeer meat and horse meat, staples of the Yakutian diet

• Stroganina, thinly sliced frozen fish

• Fermented mare’s milk and dairy products

Root vegetables like potatoes and onions are stored in cellars to survive the cold months.

Salt, fat, and protein-rich foods provide the necessary calories to combat the cold. Hunting and fishing remain vital for many families, blending modern convenience with traditional subsistence.

Cultural Practices

Despite the extreme climate, traditional Yakutian culture thrives. Locals celebrate the Ysyakh Festival, a summer solstice celebration with dancing, storytelling, and symbolic rituals. In winter, holidays like New Year are particularly cherished, bringing families together indoors.

Religion plays a role too—shamanistic beliefs often blend with Russian Orthodoxy. Nature is both feared and respected. Myths about the spirits of frost and the northern lights are passed down through generations.

Community cohesion is essential. People rely on one another for support, sharing firewood, food, and assistance. The cold unites rather than isolates.

4. School and Work: Routines Against the Odds

Education

Children in Oymyakon attend school as usual—but only until temperatures drop below -52°C (-61.6°F). At that point, classes are canceled. Remarkably, most children still walk to school bundled in layers, with only their eyes exposed.

Schools are heavily heated, and lunchrooms serve hearty meals to help kids maintain energy in the cold.

Teachers often serve as community leaders and mental health supporters in addition to educators. Classrooms include lessons about surviving the cold, from identifying frostbite to understanding local weather patterns.

Employment and Economy

Most jobs in Oymyakon revolve around traditional occupations such as herding, fishing, hunting, and farming (during the brief summer). Government positions, teaching, and basic commerce also provide employment.

Some residents work in tourism—offering visitors a taste of life in the coldest village on Earth. Tourists can ride reindeer sleds, visit frozen rivers, and experience a traditional Russian banya (sauna).

Crafts like fur clothing, carvings, and jewelry also contribute to the local economy. Despite its remoteness, Oymyakon is increasingly featured in travel documentaries and YouTube videos, drawing curious adventurers from around the world.

5. The Psychological Effects of the Cold

Extreme cold isn’t just a physical challenge—it also impacts mental health. The long, dark winters and isolation can lead to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), depression, and anxiety. To combat this, community bonding is crucial. Social gatherings, storytelling, and music help foster emotional resilience.

For children, growing up in such an environment fosters both toughness and adaptability. Playing outside in -40°C might seem insane elsewhere, but here it's part of growing up.

Homes are designed not just for warmth, but for light and comfort. Bright curtains, family photos, and handmade crafts add a touch of color and warmth to an otherwise monochrome landscape.

6. Global Warming and a Changing Climate

Even in the coldest places, climate change is being felt. Permafrost is melting, causing infrastructure damage. Traditional hunting patterns are shifting. Wildlife behavior is changing, and summers are becoming warmer.

Scientists are studying regions like Oymyakon to better understand how climate change affects Arctic and sub-Arctic ecosystems. Ironically, even as the world warms, communities like this must adapt to new kinds of environmental instability.

Milder winters have disrupted traditional migration paths for reindeer and made ice roads more dangerous. Locals report increased flooding, unusual weather patterns, and early thaws.

Conclusion: Life on the Edge

Living in the coldest place on Earth is not for the faint of heart. But for the people of Oymyakon, this frozen frontier is home. Their way of life is a testament to human adaptability, resilience, and community. Through blizzards, frozen landscapes, and temperatures that defy logic, they continue to live with strength and pride.

While the modern world often strives for comfort and convenience, Oymyakon reminds us that survival, culture, and connection can flourish even in the harshest conditions.

The lessons of Oymyakon go beyond climate—they speak to the core of what it means to be human. To endure. To adapt. To thrive in the face of unimaginable cold.