Snow’here to go - man opens door to find he lives in an igloo

Sakhalin, on Russia’s Pacific coast, is the country’s largest island, but right now it has some of the harshest winter weather anywhere in the country. 

In one video, a man opened his door to find his way out entirely blocked by snow. 

He eventually put his boot through the natural igloo wall to reveal his dogs romping in the morning daylight on the other side.

Another video shows a daily commute in capital Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk after public transport was closed due to thick snowfalls. 

The forlorn figures look as if they're out of a painting by English artist L S Lowry.

This month has seen schools closed and disruption to plane and train schedules in Sakhalin.

In capital Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk some block of flats have seen snow above second floor level.

'The last snow storm taught us a lesson,' explained businessman Vladimir. 

'Yesterday, as soon as I heard the weather forecast, I parked my car not in front of my block, but at a shared parking by the road.

'My neighbours are still digging snow and will make it only by evening.

'Everyone is tired of breaking spades in the morning. Winter - we've had enough.'

Natalia, 28, said: ‘This year I only went snowboarding once. 

'But I wear snowboarding clothes in the city. I can't remember a winter like this.'

Street cleaner Anastasia complained: 'I’ve been working at the crossroads of Dzerzhinskogo Street and Komprospekt Avenue since 7 am.

'As soon as I make a path, it's covered again in snow in five minutes. I've been working here for hours - to no avail.

'My work can't be seen. I’m so tired of this snow!' 

Laughing children, who get days off school, are happier.