When will Lake Baikal freeze? What to wear when visiting Lake Baikal

Lake Baikal is a popular tourist attraction in Russia. It is the largest freshwater lake in Eurasia. The blue ice here has also attracted many people to check in and play. It is also a place where you can feel the charm of nature. However, you have to wait until it freezes to see the blue ice. So when does Lake Baikal freeze? What is the best way to dress?

When does Lake Baikal freeze?

Lake Baikal begins to freeze in January, and the blue ice, ice cracks, ice hangings and bubble ice are all worth seeing.

Generally speaking, December and January are the best seasons to see blue ice, while November is the best time to see bubble ice. (But there is little ice surface to walk on at that time) February and March are the best seasons to take pictures because there are more sunny days and the snow melts! However, the blue ice in spring is not as beautiful as in winter. You have to make a choice between the four. Take winter as a reference. If it snows continuously in the near future and the snow layer is too thick, the entire northern line of Olkhon Island will be closed because it cannot be driven. You need to consider the season and weather factors before departure.

What to wear when visiting Lake Baikal

Winter essentials:

Warm baby (both the ones for patching and the ones for shaking hands must be prepared)

Waterproof, windproof and thickened combat pants (the snow is super thick. It’s not about whether you are afraid of the cold or not, but when you step on it, it’s already up to your knees. How can your pants not get wet? So combat pants are really important)

Non-slip and waterproof Martin boots or high-top shoes (Timberland is good, but it will still get snowy)

Mask/Lei Feng hat/waterproof warm gloves (the face and ears are really important, it is easy to get frostbite if it is too cold)

Thermos/Portable Kettle

Body Lotion

I think it was enough to wear thermal underwear + wool sweater + outer clothes for taking good photos + long down jacket throughout the trip. It was really cold when I first arrived, but I gradually got used to it by the next day. If it is really cold, you can put a hot pack on the insole of your insoles and step on the soles of your feet to warm your whole body.

The weather starts to get warmer in early March, so hats and gloves may not be needed. A Uniqlo heatech + fleece sweater + fleece pants + down jacket will be enough.

Which airport do I fly to Lake Baikal?

To go to Lake Baikal, you can choose to fly to Irkutsk first, which is the capital of Irkutsk Oblast, Russia. Beijing and Guangzhou can both fly directly. Siberia Airlines is recommended, so you can experience the aircraft of the fighting nation.

You can choose to charter a car to travel between Irkutsk and Khuzhir Village - the one-way trip takes 6 hours (find the B&B owner to book a car); use Yandex (a local taxi app) to take a taxi in Irkutsk, which requires binding with a local mobile phone number, which is very convenient and recommended.

Lake Baikal Tour Guide

D1. Departure → Irkutsk → Listvyanka Town (Talits Wooden Ethnographic Museum + Lake Baikal Museum + Seal Museum)

D2. Listvyanka Town → Hovercraft to find blue ice (self-funded project about 1 hour) → Eastland Ski Resort (Chersky Observation Deck)

D3. Listvyanka Town→Olkhon Island

D4. One-day tour of the northern route of Olkhon Island (Harlanz + Three Brothers Mountain + Ice Hanging + Shaman Rock)

D5. One-day tour of the southern route of Olkhon Island (viewing platform + bay + ice hanging + pagoda island + heart-shaped lake + bubble ice)

D6. Olkhon Island→Irkutsk (Holy Virgin Convent + Kazan Cathedral)

D7. Irkutsk (shopping at designated spots + Kirov Park + Church of the Apparition of Jehovah + Cathedral of Christ the Savior + Polish Cathedral + Victory Memorial Square of World War II + Bridge of Love + Karl Marx Street) → return