A day at the Siberian beach… in February

Our friends at 'I'm Siberian' like to challenge the enduring stereotypes (Western, and Russian, too) about this part of the world and they've done it again with this exhilarating day out at Lake Baikal, the oldest and deepest lake in the world. 

Under the ice, as they play volleyball, and enjoy the deep winter sun, is 20% of the planet's unfrozen freshwater: if it is also fresh romping around on the ice, or sunbathing on the snow, then they don't show it. 

Dressed in sturdy boots and not much else, these ten intrepid Siberians spent five hours on Baikal's thick frozen surface, warmed mainly by cocktails, tea, dancing, and an inevitable bear. 

One of the participants Alena Isaeva, 26, from Ulan-Ude, said: 'It was fun and not cold. It's just that the ice crackled underfoot - Baikal is alive, it breathes, and sometimes it seemed that we swing around in its wake.'

These images highlight something often misunderstood about the Siberian winter. Bright sunny days are frequent even - in fact especially - when the thermometer plunges. And this is a dry cold, with no wind, conditions which help locals enjoy nature even in the fiercest chill.

Mikhail Gubal, the organiser of this event, said: 'Winter vacations can be much brighter than in the summer. Dazzling white sand, beautiful blue waves to the horizon - such amazing views that you will hardly find in summer. 

'That's why you need to enjoy  every moment of the winter, every winter day, and most importantly - to appreciate the places in which we live, and to open them in a new way.'

For anyone wishing to enjoy Baikal's delights, winter or summer, we suggest you fly to Irkutsk or Ulan-Ude, journeys that are likely to be cheaper than you think.

From here you are in striking distance of one of the great sights on our planet. You will find hotels of all categories, and a warm Siberian welcome whatever the time of year.