If you want to enjoy snow and some skiing in addition to amazing nature, delicious food, rich history and culture, winter tourism in Georgia has to offer it all.
Ski enthusiasts will find everything and more in Georgia’s numerous ski resorts. The well-developed infrastructure, sharp variations in altitude and unlimited possibilities for freeride, back country and heli-skiing in Gudauri, Bakuriani, Svaneti or Goderdzi will leave even experienced skiers satisfied.
Bakuriani, which can be reached by the lovely and iconic Kukushka train, is ideal for a family vacation. Meanwhile, Svaneti and Goderdzi remain some of the most popular destinations for locals and foreigners alike, and one taste of their delicious food, professional slopes, fresh air and cozy cottages nestled in the Caucasus will leave you with no doubt as to why.
The Capital Tbilisi in Winter
The capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, remains vibrant all year long. The winter season only seems to heighten its allure, particularly for patrons of the arts and those who wish to celebrate the New Year in style. In between professional opera and ballet performances, rousing traditional dance shows and concerts galore, unwind with a hot sulphur bath and a stroll through the capital’s festively decorated streets leading up to the New Year.
On a winter tour, you can warm up with a sip of Georgian wine, learn how to prepare and eat traditional khinkhali dumplings, or wander the numerous cathedrals and cave towns whose beauty will only be accentuated in the crisp winter snows.
GEORGIA IN WINTER: GREAT EXPERIENCES
Winter in Georgia has two major things going for it: Quiet cities and majestic snowy landscapes. If your timing is right, you can catch the ski season. Orthodox holiday traditions in January add to the atmosphere.
Tbilisi remains mild throughout the winter months while the regions vary from fairly frosty to firmly freezing, showcasing all manner of splendid winterscapes: Snow-capped mountains, frozen lakes, sugar-dusted villages, and more.
Why visit Georgia in winter?
Starting with the obvious: Temperatures are a lot cooler in winter across the Georgia, and winter is fairly dry in many parts of Georgia. Compared to hot and cloying summer, winter is altogether a more pleasant time to be outdoors in Tbilisi and Kutaisi particularly.
Some high mountain passes are closed in winter, making it challenging or impossible to visit very remote villages such as Omalo in Tusheti. But the majority of roads remain open, including the roads to Kazbegi and Mestia.
In fact, it’s the Caucasus mountains that make Georgia frosty season truly special. Landscapes of snow-capped peaks, little villages with smoke billowing from chimneys and Svaneti’s tower houses wrapped in a blanket of powder are unforgettable.
Georgia in winter: Skiing lovers paradise
If you’re interested in skiing and snowboarding, snow season is obviously the best time to visit the mountains. If not, there are plenty of other cold-weather activities on offer around the country, from sulfur baths to scenic train rides.
Hearty Georgian cuisine is made for winter, and there’s nothing better than cuddling up at a cute wine bar on a chilly evening.
Finally, double holidays mean twice the fun! December 25 goes by without much fanfare in lieu of Orthodox Christmas, which falls 13 days later.
December 31 is the biggest celebration of the holiday period, with a riot of fireworks in Tbilisi. Then you can witness beautiful Orthodox traditions over Christmas, Bedoba and Epiphany.
How cold does it get in Georgia?
Georgia has an extremely diverse climate. The eastern part of the country is drier and crisper, while the west is more tropical and humid.
Tbilisi remains relatively mild throughout the winter months, averaging 2-8 degrees Celsius during the day from December to February, and dropping down to 0-2 degrees overnight.
Since there is no ice or sleet – and there are often blue skies over Tbilisi – the city is very pleasant and crisp in winter.
In the mountain regions and plains of southern Georgia, by contrast, winters are very frosty indeed. Popular mountain areas such as Svaneti, Racha and Kazbegi all see heavy snow from December onwards and below freezing temperatures. It can get as cold as -13 degrees Celsius in Mestia and January.
When does it snow in Georgia?
Every year there are typically two or three snowy days in Tbilisi, usually at the very end of winter or the start of spring. Don’t count on seeing snow in the capital: It’s a roll of the dice and even when it does snow, it’s washed away by evening.
Sometimes it even snows in Batumi – but you have to be really lucky to see snow on the Black Sea coast!
If you want guaranteed snow, you’ll have to head to a higher altitude. Mestia, Racha, Kazbegi and Upper Adjara near Batumi are all snowy from December onwards.
In summary: If seeing snow in Georgia is your main priority, your safest bet is to visit the mountain areas between January and March, when snowfall is the heaviest.
Winter holidays & festivals in Georgia
Here is a quick list of the main calendar dates in Georgia for winter. Note that December 25 is not a holiday – Christmas falls a week later on January 7. Some small businesses close up from December 31 until the first weeks of January, but you will always find plenty of restaurants/cafes/shops open over the holiday period, especially in the winter resorts.
Georgia winter highlights
- End of December: Start of the winter sports season in Georgia
- Mid December-January 19: Start of Christmas lights & Christmas Markets in Tbilisi
- Georgia New Year’s Eve
- January 1: New Year’s Day (public holiday)
- January 2: Bedoba (public holiday)
- January 7: Orthodox Christmas Day (public holiday)
- January 14: Orthodox New Year (public holiday)
- January 19: Orthodox Epiphany (public holiday)
- February 14: Lamproba (Svaneti)
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New Year is the biggest holiday in Georgia. Big or small are especially preparing for this day and any Georgian family is looking forward to this holiday with great hopes, wishes and goals. Beautifuly decorated Tbilisi, traditional Georgian dishes, unique wine, special hospitality and kindness of Georgian people will make the New Year unforgettable.