Georgia is a country that is ideal not only for summer seaside holidays. Georgia’s ski resorts operate from November to May, with the peak season lasting from December to March. During this time, the main ski resorts — Gudauri and Bakuriani — welcome tens of thousands of tourists.
There is everything you need to enjoy your time during the cold season. The advantages of local ski resorts include:
— mild climate (winter temperatures drop to around +1⁰C, there is almost no wind, and the mountains are always covered in a smooth layer of snow);
— slopes for every taste (from children’s “green” to professional “black” runs);
— continuously improving infrastructure;
— convenient transport connections with major cities, including the capital;
— and of course, the hospitality of the local people.
Gudauri
Even today, despite its popularity among tourists, Gudauri is a small village located about two hours by car from Tbilisi. The resort is situated on the Georgian Military Road, at an altitude of about 2,500 m above sea level. Another landmark near the village is the Cross Pass.
In 2014, National Geographic named the resort one of the best places for skiing in the world. It’s easy to understand why travelers love Gudauri:
— it is a great place for family holidays. It’s the perfect spot to teach a child to ski for the first time;
— to keep children entertained, the village has several playgrounds (near Marco Polo Hotel, and by the Gudauri and Pirveli lifts);
— despite being small, the resort offers accommodation options for every preference. There are hotels with meal service as well as apartments with kitchens for self-catering;
— the maximum wait time at ski lifts is 10 minutes;
— the resort’s climate helps to separate visitors by skiing style and avoid conflicts. Slopes in December and January are more suited to classic skiers, while February is the favorite time for freeriders.
Slopes
Gudauri offers around 70 km of groomed slopes of various difficulty levels (including runs for children, beginners, advanced skiers, and professionals). Some runs may combine two difficulty levels — for example, starting as a red run and ending as a blue.
Another 5 km of terrain is reserved for those who prefer freeride (off-piste skiing). The total length of slopes in Gudauri, including wild descents, exceeds 75 km. The longest run stretches for 7 km.
— It's recommended to start with the Pirveli slope, which means “first” in Georgian.
— After that, try the slopes on Mount Kudebi.
— A must-try is the Sadzele slope.
— Bidara and Chrdili are only suitable for experienced skiers due to avalanche risk.
Tourist mobility is supported by the Doppelmayr cable car, built by an Austrian company on behalf of the Georgian government. The system includes 11 lifts: magic carpets, draglifts, gondolas, and chairlifts.
Prices
— Passes:
- A single ride ticket costs 10 GEL.
- A day pass is 60 GEL for adults and 30 GEL for children.
- A weekly pass costs 340 GEL for adults and 170 GEL for children.
— Equipment rental per day is 40–50 GEL depending on the set.
— A private lesson with an instructor costs from 70 GEL per hour.
— One lift ride costs 10 GEL.
How to Get There
The most popular way to get to Gudauri is by buses and minibuses operating on the Tbilisi — Stepantsminda route. There is no fixed schedule: minibuses depart every 1–2 hours as they fill up. The starting point is Didube metro station in Tbilisi.
Ticket price ranges from 10 to 15 GEL depending on distance and time of day. In Georgia’s public transport system, there are generally no children's tickets.
An alternative to public transport is taxis or private transfers. The average cost of a trip from Tbilisi to Gudauri is about 200 GEL per car.
Entertainment
Holidays in Gudauri are a true paradise for those who enjoy active recreation:
- sports tourism,
- cross-country cycling,
- horseback riding,
- mountaineering,
- rafting,
- hiking in the mountains.
Nearby Gudauri you can find the following natural and cultural attractions:
— Ananuri Fortress, built in the 13th century;
— Zhinvali Reservoir, which supplies drinking water to Tbilisi;
— the spiritual capital of Georgia — Mtskheta;
— the famous Georgian Military Road;
— the Chaukhi Gorge and Gveleti Waterfall.
These attractions are available to tourists visiting the resort in December, as well as in March and April.
Bakuriani
Unlike the younger Gudauri, Bakuriani gained popularity back in the imperial era. Known since the 19th century, the resort was a favorite vacation spot for the nobility. During the Soviet period, it often hosted winter sports competitions, including bobsleigh and biathlon. In 2014, Bakuriani applied to host the Winter Olympic Games.
The town, which now has a permanent population of just under 2,000 people, is located at an altitude of 1,700 meters above sea level.
It is recommended for those who prefer a quiet holiday in a less crowded place.
Slopes
Due to the natural features of Mount Kokhta, where most of the local slopes are located, Bakuriani’s runs are suitable only for experienced ski lovers. The slopes constantly change incline, alternating between difficult and easier sections. The only exception is the "Plateau" — the only slope for beginners.
The total length of Bakuriani's slopes is about 10 kilometers.
The resort features 3 adult and 4 children’s ski lifts.
Prices
- Day pass
in high season costs 50 GEL for adults and 25 GEL for children. In November and April, prices drop by about half.
- Ski equipment rental
costs 30 GEL per day. Snowboard rental ranges from 30 to 35 GEL. Sleds can be rented for 15 GEL.
- Professional instructor lesson
costs 60–80 GEL per session.
- Single lift ride
on the cable car costs 10 GEL.
How to Get There
To reach Bakuriani by car from Tbilisi takes around three hours. The bus to the capital costs approximately 35 GEL.
The main means of transportation is the narrow-gauge railway, running on the Bakuriani – Borjomi route. A ticket costs 5 GEL. A taxi for the same distance will cost around 40–50 GEL.
Entertainment
For those taking a break from skiing, Bakuriani offers several open hiking trails. The most famous is the “Information Trail”, which is accessible in March and April.
The resort also features active entertainment, such as ice skating, snowmobiling, quad biking, and horseback riding.
Among the cultural attractions, visitors can explore the Rabati and Vardzia fortresses, the ruins of the ancient Timotesubani Monastery, and the functioning Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
Other Ski Resorts
Lesser-known but noteworthy ski resorts include:
- Hatsvali and Mestia
in the Svaneti region (1500 m above sea level). These small towns have three ski trails each, hotels, and a single restaurant. A daily ski pass costs 25 GEL. The slopes are rarely crowded, even during peak season.
- Goderdzi
is located at the highest point of Adjara. This is Georgia’s newest ski resort, opened in 2015. Prices are similar to Bakuriani. The easiest way to reach Goderdzi is from Batumi (bus ticket costs around 30 GEL).
