Although winter in Montenegro is mild and warm, the country sees very few tourists during this season. In this guide, I’ll give you a detailed overview of what kind of weather to expect in Montenegro during winter, what happens in the mountains, and which ski resorts are popular among locals. You’ll also find plenty of useful and practical tips to help you plan your winter trip to Montenegro.
Table of contents:
- Winter in Montenegro: Weather on the Coast and in the Mountains
- Montenegro’s Ski Resorts
- Winter Travel Tips for Tourists
It will be difficult for you to plan your dream trip to Montenegro without these websites
Winter in Montenegro: Weather on the Coast and in the Mountains
Montenegro has four climate zones, which is impressive for such a small country. However, for practical purposes, tourists usually consider just two main zones: the coast and the mountains.
- Winter on the coast is warm, rainy, and mild. The average daytime temperature in the coldest months is around +10°C. Rain is frequent, sometimes drizzling throughout the entire day.
- The winter months here are December to February, which are also the coldest months of the year. Snow on the coast is a rare sight, and if it does fall, it’s usually wet snow that melts within an hour.
- Meanwhile, in the mountainous regions, winters are also mild with no extreme frosts, but they often bring heavy snowfall. On average, temperatures in the mountains are 10-15 degrees lower than on the coast.
- Average daytime temperatures in Montenegro’s mountains: between -5°C and 0°C.
- In regions like the Prokletije Mountains or Žabljak, snow can bury houses up to their roofs.
- One of the country’s most scenic roads, the Sedlo Pass, is completely closed from November until spring.
- Extreme cold of -20°C or -30°C is unheard of in Montenegro.
Montenegro’s Ski Resorts
Surprisingly for many, Montenegro actually has ski resorts—two, to be exact. Here, you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding.
Good to know:
While the length and variety of slopes are nowhere near the scale of Austria or Italy’s famous ski resorts, there are enough slopes for 1-2 days of skiing. Plus, the prices here are significantly lower than in Austria.
Winter in Montenegro starts in late November, and ski resorts typically open by mid-December. The exact opening dates vary yearly depending on the weather. However, snow cannons are usually turned on by early December. Below, you’ll find an overview of both ski resorts, along with official website links where you can check the latest updates on opening and closing dates.
Ski Center Kolašin: Montenegro’s Largest Ski Resort
Kolašin is the largest ski resort in Montenegro, located just 5 km from the town of Kolašin. Compared to Savin Kuk, it offers more slopes and better infrastructure. Plus, getting here is easy—just 70 km from Podgorica via a fast toll highway. However, there’s no public transport to the resort.
Key Facts About Kolašin:
- Coordinates: 42.84177314562464, 19.639600692410482
- Two ski areas: Kolašin 1600 & Kolašin 1450 (connected by a cable car since 2022)
- Altitude: 1,600 meters above sea level
- Located within Biogradska Gora National Park
- An overview of the park and its attractions in the article at the link: Biogradska Gora National Park in Montenegro
- Official site: skijalista.me/en/ (check for lift pass prices, rentals, webcams, and updates)
- Slopes: 17 slopes (black, red, and blue) with a total length of 41 km
- Vertical drop: nearly 500 meters
- Facilities: Restaurants, ski rental, and equipment hire
Montenegro’s ski resorts are much more affordable than most European destinations:
- Ski & snowboard rental (skis + helmet + boots or snowboard set): €15 per day (discounts for multi-day rentals)
- 1-day ski pass: €25 for adults / €16.5 for children
- 3-day ski pass: €57
- Half-day pass: €18
For those planning an overnight stay, the Swissôtel Resort Kolašin is now open right at the ski resort.
Is Kolašin Worth Visiting?
While a week-long trip here might be too much due to the limited number of slopes, Kolašin is great for a 1-2 day ski trip. In recent years, the area has received up to two meters of snow during the winter season.
Ski resort Savin Kuk
This is the second and much smaller ski resort in Montenegro. While Kolašin is easily accessible from Podgorica, reaching Savin Kuk is more challenging. From the coast, it takes 2-3 hours by car, with winding mountain roads slowing down the journey.
The nearest town is Žabljak, where many chalets and rental homes are available. The ski lift is just 7 km from Žabljak. If you’re looking for an in-depth guide to Montenegro’s highest-altitude town, check out this Žabljak travel overview.
Tip for those who travel without a car:
You can take a regular bus from Podgorica to either Žabljak or Kolašin. From there, a taxi ride to the ski lifts costs €5-10.
Key Facts About Savin Kuk Ski Resort
- Coordinates: 43.12288262747141, 19.103710815022694
- Altitude: 2,217 meters above sea level
- Vertical drop: About 700 meters (which is more than Kolašin!)
- Total skiable terrain:5 km (yes, just 5 km 😅). The only black slope here is 900 meters long.
- Number of ski lifts: 6 (!), despite the small number of slopes.
- One interesting feature: these lifts also operate year-round, taking tourists to the Babin Zub viewpoint for €10.
- Full-day ski pass: €13-15, depending on the month.
- Snow conditions: Usually more snow than Kolašin. The season starts in mid-December and often lasts until early April.
Savin Kuk is located just a few kilometers from Durmitor National Park, a region full of breathtaking natural landmarks. To explore this area properly, you’ll need at least two full days. Check out this detailed Durmitor guide for must-see attractions.
Winter in Montenegro: Essential Travel Tips
Here are some key things to know before planning a winter trip to Montenegro:
- Montenegro does not have central heating—not anywhere in the country. There’s also no central hot water supply. Each home has its own solution: some use boilers, others rely on wood stoves. A simple air conditioner won’t be enough to keep you warm in winter. Choose your accommodation carefully!
- In 90% of Montenegrin homes and apartments, including mountain lodges, floors are tiled—even in bedrooms. This is a cultural preference: tiles are easy to clean, durable, and help keep homes cool in summer. But in winter? Walking barefoot is unbearable! Pro tip: Bring thick socks or slippers for indoor use.
- All about the features of accommodation for tourists in Montenegro: what are the options and what to expect
Good to know:
Outside the ski resorts, many businesses close for the season—including restaurants, souvenir shops, and even some hotels.
If your winter plan is simply to wander around Kotor, you might find yourself disappointed. Montenegro in winter can feel empty and lifeless, so it’s important to plan activities in advance.
- Check out this Montenegro road trip guide, which includes itineraries, timing, and must-visit locations.
Driving in Montenegro in winter is very different from summer road trips along the coast. If you plan to venture into the mountains, a regular car won’t be enough.
Essential for winter mountain driving:
✅ 4×4 vehicle
✅ Snow chains (some roads are impassable without them)
✅ Check road closures—for example, the stunning Sedlo mountain pass is completely closed for winter.
Final Thoughts on Winter in Montenegro
- On the coast, winters are mild and rainy. Temperatures rarely drop below freezing, averaging around +10°C.
- In the mountains, winters are snowy but not extremely cold, with average temperatures around -5°C.
- There are few tourists, and many places are closed.
- For skiing, some travelers prefer Serbia’s Kopaonik ski resort, but Kolašin is still a great alternative.
Montenegro in winter isn’t for everyone, but if you know what to expect and plan accordingly, it can be a fantastic experience! 😊
Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Montenegro
- WayAway: Cheap flights and best deals.
- Car rental in Montenegro:
- LocalRent – works with local rental companies. Leader in car rental in Montenegro.
- DiscoverCars – a large international platform.
- Budget-friendly vacation packages to Montenegro: CheapOair.
- Hotels and apartments all over the country:
- Trip.com – the most popular accommodation booking platform
- TripAdvisor compares the prices among dozens of other booking services and offer the best price
- Tours, excursions and activities (including extreme ones):
- GetYourGuide – more than 800 tours
- Viator – 1000+ excursions and activities throughout the country
- Comprehensive travel insurance: EKTA
- Internet and Calls:
- Airalo eSIM in Montenegro
- Drimsim – universal sim card for frequent traveler
- Taxi and airport transfers: Intui.Travel