It’s already December, the last month of the year. It is the exact time for summing up the year and making plans for the future. One of the best years to end the year, however, is to plan a trip to a country or city where the winter is the most beautiful and full of miracles. There are so many places in the world where you can spend your winter holidays. But, by choosing a country, we end up with Armenia, where winter is so beautiful that you can’t stop admiring the country in white. So, in this article, we will discover the following:

• Winter months and temperature in Armenia
• Where to visit?
• What are the top activities worth doing in Armenia?
• Yerevan Christmas Market

Winter months and temperature in Armenia

Let’s start our guide by introducing the winter season in Armenia. Usually, the winter in Armenia lasts three months, starting from December and ending with February. It is typical, the first snow to happen in early December in the mountains of the Gegharkunik region.

In terms of temperature, the temperature in Yerevan in December fluctuates from 6C (42F) to -7C (21F). The snow starts to fall in the capital city, Yerevan, much later than in the mountainous part of the country. The average winter temperature in Armenia’s mountainous region fluctuates between -10C (14F) to -20C (-4F). Thus, make a note to bring comfortable boots, a hat, gloves, and many warm clothes, so that your unforgettable holiday doesn’t end up with being sick for weeks.

Besides, it is also worth noting that it’ll be good to have a mobile power bank with you. This is because the cold weather may cause the battery of your phone to drain quickly. The latter, in turn, won’t let you take pics, and fix the beautiful moments.

Where to visit?

Next, we will discover the places that are definitely worth visiting once you are in Armenia.

Tsaghkadzor

Tsaghkadzor is famous as the main place full of snow and, of course, winter attractions. The elevation of Tsaghkadzor is quite high, that's why even during the warm winters it's covered with snow. This fact allows the town to become one of the most popular winter destinations in Armenia.

However, the best ski resort you’ll find here. The ski lifts in Tsaghkadzor are paid for by the ride, but it is worth highlighting that the fee is the most affordable in Europe. Moreover, here you can find so many sports infrastructures. Every year, hundreds of sportsmen around the world come here to practice and get ready for tournaments.

Tsaghkadzor is also full of the best hotels in Armenia.  So, if you want to skate, ski, or take a cable car ride, Tsaghkadzor is an ideal place to visit. On the other hand, if you are not fond of active rest, don’t worry, because there are so many excursion programs that you can take part in. As for the entertainment, the resort also has one of the nation’s biggest entertainment centers in the form of the Senator Royale casino complex. Tsaghkadzor also has the Kecharis Monastery, which is one of Armenia’s most important religious complexes, dating back to the start of the 11th century.

Jermuk

Jermuk is another famous destination in Armenia not only for the winter season but for the whole year. Jermuk is mainly famous for its healing waters and is considered to be a medical center. The winter is magical here thanks to indescribable nature full of fir trees, snow, lights, and most importantly warm and friendly people. Jermuk is an ideal place for passive rest. Besides, it is a perfect place to have fun with your friends, family or just yourself and a place where you can find peace and balance with nature.

As for the attractions, Jermuk is also a famous ski resort in Armenia. Here you will appreciate the high-quality services, ropeway, skiing, and snowboarding on 1750 to 2000m (5741-6562ft) above sea level.

Dilijan

Often referred to as Armenian Switzerland, Dilijan is a resort and park area that is surrounded by tree-covered mountains and in winter. These mountains become unspeakably beautiful with heaps of white snow covering them. Here you can find many hotels or hostels with a view of green trees and white snow covering them, which is really amazing.

Dilijan has traditionally been considered a summer and winter resort for local and foreign vacationers. However, over the past decade, the town has become a significant financial and educational hub, attracting students not only from across Armenia but abroad. It’s home to the Central Bank of Armenia’s Training and Research Center, as well as UWC Dilijan College and TUMO Center for Creative Technologies.

If you feel like visiting UWC Dilijan College, making part of an international network of colleges,  and TUMO– a one-of-a-kind creativity and technology center for the youth - you need to book a tour beforehand.

Once you’re in Dilijan, head for a church-seeing tour in the town’s vicinity. Here you will find several gems of medieval Armenian architecture - Haghartsin (10th -13th centuries) and Goshavank (12th -13th centuries) monastery complexes. Whether you are a solo traveler, or you are in Dilijan with your friends, don’t fail to visit the national park of Dilijan, also called “Lake Parz” (translated as “Clear Lake”). However, if you choose to go for some winter fun, you can take a horseback riding tour, or soar on a zipline operating over Lake Parz.

What are the top activities in Armenia during winter?

Skiing in Armenia

So, as we can understand, Armenia has different destinations suitable for skiing. You can either take to the slopes or put your feet into a pair of cross-country skis and glide along with the Armenian Highlands.  There are several opportunities for skiing and winter sports in Armenia. We have singled out them for you.

• Tsaghkadzor
• Jermuk
• Ashotsk

Ice skating in Armenia

Another favorite Armenian winter activity is ice skating.  You can go ice skating in Armenia in a few places but we suggest heading to Yerevan to do it as you will be able to easily rent gear and enjoy it in a city environment.  Here are a few places in Yerevan where you can go skating during the winter:

• Yerevan Winter Park
• Swan Lake (near Opera)
• Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex

It is also worth noting that along with being an ice skating place, the Winter Park is also magical to have a walk here with a cup of coffee and enjoy the winter season.

Hot Spring in Armenia

As we have mentioned above Jermuk is famous for its hot and medical springs. However, Jermuk is not the only place where you can visit. We also recommend you five well-known hot springs in Armenia that are worth visiting this winter:

• Jermuk Hot Springs and Geyser
• Hankavan Thermal Springs
• Arzakan Hot Springs (Aghveran)
• Tatev Thermal Springs
• Spitaklich Thermal Spring (Ararat)

Yerevan Christmas Market

North Avenue, the most luxurious street in Yerevan gets more attractive in winters. It is converted into a Christmas market where you can find anything related to Christmas, New Year, and winter in general. Even if you don't buy anything, you enjoy walking there in that beautiful atmosphere.

The Christmas market in Yerevan works since December 2012. The market consisted originally of 16 wooden cabins that were built for the first time in the whole Caucasus region and in the Far East of Europe. Every year the number of cabins becomes even bigger and now the market will have 40 chalets decorated with different things for sale such as sausages, handmade Christmas gifts, chocolates, organic soaps, Armenian wine, etc.