On a free day, people would get out of the house and enjoy winter sports, including sledding, skiing and skating. If they wanted peace and tranquillity, then they remained snuggled indoors, often with their favourite pets and a cup of tea from a traditional Russian samovar kettle, and read books.
Aside from the thrill of seasonal sports activities, people enjoyed their winter leisure time walking the streets of the Soviet capital, taking in the snow-covered sights.
Plunge into the past with our Sputnik photo gallery.