In Europe, it is found in the northern part of Norway, Sweden and Finland up to heights of 900 m. It is also found in Greenland, Alaska, the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Quebec, Labrador, Manitoba, the Chukot region, eastern Chukotka, and the Russian Far East.

In the female, the black band along the edges of the wings is cut through with numerous yellow "windows", and not solid, as in the male.

The butterfly flies in June to August depending on the location.

They are also known to feed on Salix arctica where Astragalus are absent.

If that is the case, C. h. zamolodchikovi is considered a subspecies of Colias sulitelma, named Colias sulitelma zamolodchikovi.