Snow near the city: Gudauri and Kazbegi
The Georgian Military Highway north of Tbilisi is the most reliable bet for snow in February. Gudauri, 120 km from the capital, takes about two hours by marshal-supervised taxi or minibus from Didube station; the road is usually cleared but can close after heavy falls, so check the morning forecast before committing. Lift passes and gear rental are available at the base, but if you only want snow underfoot rather than skiing, stop at the Jvari Pass viewpoint (2,379 m) for photos and turn back — the drive is the point.
Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) is a further 45 minutes past Gudauri, and in February the village is quiet enough that guesthouse owners will meet you at the marshal's office. The Gergeti Trinity Church walk is usually snow-covered and icy; the 4x4 track from the village centre takes 20 minutes and costs a flat rate negotiated in advance. I would book a night in Kazbegi rather than day-tripping — afternoon light on the Terek valley is the reason to come, and you will miss it if you rush back to Tbilisi.
Mtskheta and the quiet side of the Aragvi
Mtskheta, 25 km north-west of Tbilisi, is the easiest half-day in February: marshrutka 103 from Didube drops you at the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in about 30 minutes, and the town is small enough to walk end to end in an hour. The Jvari Monastery on the ridge above is a 15-minute drive or a 45-minute uphill walk; the road is paved but unlit, so go before dusk. February means no tour buses at 9 am and space to actually look at the stonework.
For something quieter, continue 12 km past Mtskheta to the Zedazeni Monastery turn-off and walk the forest track to the ridge — the path is muddy rather than snowy at this altitude, and the views over the Aragvi confluence are best in the late morning. There are no facilities, so carry water. Back in Mtskheta, the bakery opposite the cathedral sells hot khachapuri by the piece; I would take that over any sit-down lunch in town.
Soviet relics and industrial quiet: Chiatura and Katskhi
Chiatura, 220 km west of Tbilisi, is a four-hour drive on the S1 motorway via Gori and Khashuri, or a three-hour train to Zestaponi plus a marshrutka. The town's Soviet-era manganese mines left a landscape of concrete ruins and cable cars — some still run for residents, and a ride costs a few lari paid to the operator. February is cold and grey here, which suits the place; the Katskhi Pillar monastery, 15 km away, is a 20-minute walk from the road and usually deserted mid-week.
This is a full-day trip and a long one; I would only do it if you have a car and start by 8 am. The alternative is to base yourself in Kutaisi for a night and visit Chiatura as a loop, which cuts the driving and gives you time at the Gelati Monastery on the way back. Roads are clear of snow at this altitude most years, but the last 3 km to Katskhi is unpaved and slippery after rain.
Booking and timing: where to stay and when to go
For day trips, Tbilisi's Didube and Samgori stations are the transport hubs, and hotels near Rustaveli or Marjanishvili put you within a 10–15 minute metro ride of both. February is low season: expect hotel rates in the capital to be 20–30% below May levels, and book a place with reliable heating rather than a courtyard view. If you are heading north, book one night in Kazbegi or Gudauri directly rather than relying on a same-day return — the road can close without much warning.
Best months for snow in the mountains are January and February; for quiet roads without ice, late February and early March are the sweet spot. Skip Davit Gareja in February — the microclimate is harsh and the access road from Udabno is often washed out. If you have only three days, do Mtskheta on day one, Gudauri on day two, and leave day three for Tbilisi's own sulphur baths, which are at their best when the outside air is cold.