The determination of critical locations and the scope of freeze protection in cold-region tunnels is predominantly based on engineering expertise, with no universally accepted standards in place. To assess the specific impact weights of freeze damage on various tunnel components, a survey was conducted on 22 typical freeze-damage cases from cold-region highway tunnels. A weight evaluation model for freeze-damage impact locations was developed using the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process with group decision-making triangle fuzzy numbers. The model was validated through a case study of the Gansu G212 Qidaoliang Tunnel. The findings indicate that freeze damage predominantly affects the tunnel lining, road surface, surrounding rock, drainage and ventilation systems, tunnel portals, and junctions. The impact weights of freeze damage on these components are ranked as follows: drainage and ventilation systems > lining > surrounding rock > road surface > junctions > tunnel portals.