Winter Activities in Armenia: 14 Things to Do Beyond Skiing (Dec–Mar)

Winter in Armenia runs from December to March, and skiing is only one way to spend it. The plateaus turn white, the mountain air is dry and often sunny, and Yerevan fills with lights and markets. The winter activities in Armenia we suggest most often to guests who do not ski are snowmobile rides in Tsaghkadzor, winter hikes, a zipline over snowy forest in Tavush, ice skating in Yerevan, hot mineral water in Jermuk and a very early bowl of khash.

Below are 14 activities with where to go, who runs it (only where we could confirm it), rough costs, kit and difficulty. For the season in general, read our guide to Armenia in winter. If you do want to ski, our skiing guide to Tsaghkadzor and Jermuk covers lifts and slopes, and our winter tourism guide with a 5-day plan puts it all into an itinerary.

What can you do on the snow besides downhill skiing?

1. Snowmobiling in Tsaghkadzor

The easiest snow thrill near Yerevan. In season, snowmobile rides are offered on the upper slopes of Tsaghkadzor, around the higher cable car stations. These are informal cash rides on a short loop, not guided expeditions. A traveller who visited in February 2024 reported paying 10,000 AMD for about five minutes, so agree the price and the exact duration first. International booking sites also list multi-day private snowmobile packages based in Tsaghkadzor with a minimum age of 18. Kit: ski jacket, waterproof trousers, gloves, goggles or sunglasses; ask for a helmet. Difficulty: easy as a passenger.

2. Sledding and snow play

Sledding needs no operator. Any gentle, open slope in Tsaghkadzor’s upper town, around Dilijan or on the lower slopes of Aragats works when there is fresh snow. Bring a cheap plastic sledge from Yerevan, pick a run with a flat stop away from roads, and keep children off ski slopes. A sightseeing ride on the Tsaghkadzor cable car is worth it for the views alone.

3. Ski touring and freeride on Aragats

For experienced skiers, Armenia’s real winter adventure is touring on Mount Aragats, whose north summit reaches 4,090 m. A ski-touring report from 3 March 2026 describes a long day of about 30 km and some 1,900 m of ascent: the road to the usual summer start near Lake Kari is snowed in, so you skin up from below, the first 9 km are a flat approach, and the snow is often wind-packed with occasional powder in hollows. Note that the same report could not find any official avalanche danger level, so you need your own avalanche kit (transceiver, shovel, probe), the knowledge to use it and, ideally, a local mountain guide. Season: February to March. Difficulty: hard; for experienced ski tourers only.

Where can you go winter hiking or snowshoeing in Armenia?

4. Winter hikes and snowshoe walks

Yerevan-based hiking club Armgeo, for example, listed a 10-day winter hiking tour for 13–22 January 2026 with walks of 4–11 km to Hell’s Canyon in Vayots Dzor, Smbataberd fortress, Old Khndzoresk, Mount Arteni on the Aragats massif and Lastiver in Tavush, plus one-day winter outings to Smbataberd, Lastiver and Mount Artanish above Lake Sevan. After fresh snow, snowshoes help a lot; there is no real rental scene, so ask your guide or bring your own. Kit: waterproof boots, gaiters, microspikes for icy paths, poles, a thermos. Difficulty: easy to moderate. For more trail ideas see our adventure and extreme sports hub.

Can you go ziplining in Armenia in winter?

5. Yell Extreme Park, Yenokavan

Yes, weather permitting. Yell Extreme Park is in Yenokavan village near Ijevan in Tavush, about 2.5 hours from Yerevan. Its website lists daily opening hours of 11:00 to 17:30 with no seasonal closure, but it also warns that activities can be paused or rescheduled in bad weather, so call or message the day before. In current listings the 5-line zipline costs 15,000 AMD, a zipline plus off-road combo 20,000 AMD and an all-inclusive day 25,000 AMD. The 5-line course has a weight range of 44–98 kg; the 3-line course allows up to 120 kg. Wear a windproof layer, thin gloves and a hat that fits under the helmet. Our dedicated guide to ziplining in Armenia has the details.

What about winter jeep tours?

6. 4×4 trips to the snowline

Snowy side roads are where a 4×4 with a local driver earns its place. Several Yerevan operators run winter jeep day trips, typically towards the forests of Tavush or up to the snowline on the Kotayk and Aragats slopes, combining a monastery, a village lunch and a short walk. Expect pricing per vehicle and possible date changes if the weather turns. Yell Extreme Park also runs a short off-road mountain tour (from age 10). Our guide to off-road jeep tours in Armenia explains how they work. Difficulty: easy; bring warm layers for stops.

Where can you go ice skating in Yerevan?

7. Swan Lake, Yeraz Park and indoor rinks

Every winter the small Swan Lake next to the Opera House in central Yerevan becomes an outdoor ice rink; the city announces its opening each December, and you can bring your own skates or rent them. One recent guide lists it as open daily from 11:00 to 22:00, but check on the spot. Yeraz Park has a seasonal rink next to its Christmas market, and the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex has a large indoor rink. Difficulty: easy; it gets crowded on holiday weekends.

Where can you warm up: Jermuk and Lake Sevan in winter?

8. Jermuk mineral springs and spa

Jermuk, about three hours south-east of Yerevan in Vayots Dzor, is the classic winter spa town. In the Gallery of Water in the centre, five spouts release mineral water at temperatures from about 30 to 57 °C; bring or buy a cup and taste them in turn. Several hotels offer pools, massages and treatments, which is a fine way to end a snowy day. The town’s ropeway, which climbs to 2,480 m and serves as a ski lift, was reported to be under renovation in December 2025, so check its status before planning around it. More in our guide to Jermuk and Vayots Dzor. Difficulty: easy.

9. Lake Sevan in winter

Sevan at about 1,900 m is a completely different place in winter: no beach crowds, snow on the surrounding ridges and, in colder spells, ice along the shore and in the bays. Sevanavank monastery on its peninsula stays open; the steps can be icy, and the views are sharpest on clear, cold mornings. Combine it with Dilijan on our Lake Sevan and Dilijan day trip. Wind on the peninsula is strong, so bring a hat and a proper jacket.

How does Armenia celebrate New Year and Christmas?

10. Christmas markets and the New Year tree

Yerevan’s festive season starts in December. In 2025 the main tree on Republic Square was lit on 14 December with a drone show and fireworks, and the Christmas market in the adjoining park near the square ran until 14 January. Other markets have appeared in Yeraz Park and Diana Abgar Park, with food stalls, mulled wine and craft gifts. Dates and locations change every year, so check the city’s announcements. Most Armenians celebrate New Year at home, visiting relatives for days afterwards.

11. Armenian Christmas on 6 January

The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Christmas and Theophany together on 6 January. Services take place on the evening of 5 January and on the morning of the 6th, including the blessing of water. Etchmiadzin Cathedral, just west of Yerevan, is the most atmospheric place to attend; arrive early and dress warmly. In February, look out for Trndez, when couples and young people jump over a bonfire in church courtyards, and for St Sargis day, whose date moves each year.

What should you eat in Armenia in winter?

12. A khash morning

Khash, a broth of slow-cooked beef feet, is the dish of the cold months. It is eaten early in the morning, often on weekends, with lots of crushed garlic, salt, crumbled dry lavash, radishes and greens, and usually a round of vodka toasts. Many Armenians say khash belongs only to the months with an “r” in their name. Traditional Yerevan restaurants serve it in winter, but if you are invited to a home khash, say yes. Other warming dishes: harissa (wheat and meat porridge), spas (yoghurt soup) and gata pastries from New Year tables.

Which cultural trips work best in winter?

13. Monasteries in the snow

Khor Virap with a white Ararat behind it is the classic winter photograph, best on clear, cold mornings; join our Khor Virap, Areni and Noravank tour or the shorter Garni and Geghard half-day tour, where the rock-cut chapels of Geghard feel even more otherworldly with snow on the cliffs. Haghartsin in the Dilijan forests and Kecharis in Tsaghkadzor are also lovely in winter. Mountain roads to Tatev and the north can close briefly after heavy snow, so keep a day of slack in your plan.

14. Museums and wine bars on cold days

When it is grey and sleety, Yerevan is the place to be. The History Museum on Republic Square (around 2,500 AMD in recent listings, closed on Mondays), the Matenadaran manuscript museum and the Cafesjian Center at the Cascade can easily fill a day. In the evening, settle into one of the city’s small wine bars and taste Areni Noir and Voskehat by the glass; our guide to wine tasting in Yerevan lists what to order.

What do you need to know about safety, kit and insurance?

• Weather: in January Yerevan typically ranges from about −5 to +2 °C, and the mountains are much colder, especially in wind. Mountain passes can close for a few hours after snowfall.
• Clothing: layers, a waterproof shell, warm gloves, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen; the winter sun at altitude is strong.
• Insurance: many standard policies exclude snowmobiling, off-piste skiing, ski touring or ziplining, or require an adventure-sports add-on. Check before you go.
• Operators: choose experienced, licensed operators that provide helmets and a safety briefing; for Aragats, go with a guide who knows the mountain in winter.
• Daylight: it is dark by about 18:00 in midwinter, so start outdoor activities early.