We will tell you about the best places for a winter vacation in Georgia, which ski resort is worth choosing and what entertainment awaits you.
Georgia is a country that is perfect not only for summer beach vacations. Ski resorts in Georgia operate from November to May, with the high season being from December to March. During this time, tens of thousands of tourists visit the main ski resorts in Georgia, such as Gudauri and Bakuriani.
There is everything you need here to enjoy the cold season. The advantages of local ski resorts include:
Mild climate (winter temperatures drop to +1⁰C, with little wind and mountains always covered in a blanket of snow)
Slopes for every taste, ranging from beginner-friendly "green" slopes to advanced "black" slopes
Constantly improving infrastructure
Convenient transport connections with major cities in the country, 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 a two-hour drive from Tbilisi. The resort is situated on the Military-Georgian Road and sits at an altitude of about 2500 meters above sea level. The Cross Pass is also a landmark for locating the village on the map.
In 2014, National Geographic recognized the resort as one of the best places for skiing in the world. The reasons why travelers love Gudauri are easy to explain:
It's an excellent place for family vacations. This is where you can introduce your child to skiing for the first time.
For entertaining children, there are several playgrounds in the village (near the Marco Polo hotel, near the Gudaura and Pirveli ski lifts).
Despite its small size, the resort offers a variety of accommodation options. There are hotels that provide meals, as well as rooms with kitchens for self-catering.
The maximum waiting time at the ski lifts is 10 minutes.
The climate of the resort categorizes skiers and helps avoid conflicts on the slopes. The slopes in December and January are more suitable for classic skiers, while February is the preferred time for freeriders.
Gudauri is not only a ski resort but also a place where you can enjoy beautiful winter landscapes, have fun with family and friends, and experience the warm hospitality of the local people.
Slopes
Gudauri offers 16 km of slopes with varying levels of difficulty, including slopes for children, beginners, experienced skiers, and even professional athletes. Some slopes may have two levels of difficulty at the same time, starting as a "red" slope and ending as a "blue" slope.
An additional 3 km of off-piste skiing is available for those who prefer freeride experiences. The total length of the slopes in Gudauri, including off-piste areas, is 57 km. The longest descent is 7 km.
It is recommended to start with the Pirveli slope, which means "first" in Georgian.
Once you've mastered that, you can move on to the slopes on Mount Kudebi.
Next on the must-do list is the Sadzele slope.
The Bidara and Chrdili slopes are suitable for experienced skiers as avalanches can occur there.
Visitors' mobility is ensured by the Doppelmayr cable car system, built by Austrian experts at the request of the Georgian authorities. It includes 11 lifts of various types, including conveyor, button, gondola, and chairlifts.
Prices
Lift Passes:
A single ride ticket to the summit costs 5 GEL.
A day pass costs 50 GEL for adults and 25 GEL for children.
A weekly pass is available for 290 GEL for adults and 145 GEL for children.
Equipment rental: 30 GEL per day.
Professional instructor lesson: 50 GEL.
Cost of a single cable car ride: 5 GEL.
These prices are subject to change, so it's always best to check with the ski resort or tour operators for the most up-to-date information.
Getting There
The most popular means of transportation to reach Gudauri are buses and marshrutkas (minibusses) that operate on the Tbilisi-Stepantsminda route. There is no exact schedule, as the minibusses depart every couple of hours based on passenger demand. The starting point of the route is Didube Metro Station in Tbilisi.
The fare for a ticket ranges from 7 to 10 GEL, depending on the distance. There are no separate child tickets in Georgia's public transportation system.
Alternatively, taxis and special transfers can be an option. The cost of such transportation is around 150 GEL.
Entertainment
Gudauri offers a paradise for those who prefer active outdoor activities:
Sports tourism
Cross-country skiing
Horseback riding
Mountaineering
Rafting
Hiking in the mountains
In the vicinity of Gudauri, there are various natural and cultural attractions to explore:
The 13th-century Ananuri Fortress
The Jinvali Reservoir that supplies fresh water to Tbilisi
The spiritual capital of Georgia, Mtskheta
The famous Georgian Military Road
The Chaukhi Gorge and Gveleti Waterfall
These attractions are accessible for visitors in December as well as from March to April.
Bakuriani
Unlike the young Gudauri, Bakuriani gained popularity during the Tsarist era. In the 19th century, the resort was a favorite destination for the nobility of that time. During the Soviet era, it hosted winter sports competitions, including bobsleigh and biathlon. In 2014, Bakuriani applied to host the Winter Olympic Games.
The town, which is home to just under 2,000 people today, is located at an altitude of 1,700 meters above sea level.
It is recommended to visit Bakuriani for those who prefer a relaxed vacation in a less crowded place.
Slopes
Due to the natural features of Mount Kohta, where most of the local slopes are located, Bakuriani's slopes are suitable only for experienced ski enthusiasts. The slopes here constantly change their incline, creating both challenging and easy sections. The exception is the Plateau, the only slope suitable for beginners.
The total length of the slopes in Bakuriani is 10 kilometers.
The resort has 3 adult and 4 children's ski lifts.
Prices
Full-day lift pass
In the high season, it costs 40 GEL for adults and 20 GEL for children. In November and April, prices are halved.
Ski equipment rental
It costs 25 GEL per day. Snowboard rental is priced at 25 - 30 GEL. Sleds can be rented for 10 GEL.
Professional instructor lesson
It ranges from 40 to 50 GEL.
Single lift ticket
On the cable car, it costs 7 GEL.
Getting There
To reach Bakuriani by car from Tbilisi, it will take about three hours. The bus to the capital will cost 30 GEL.
The main mode of transportation is the narrow-gauge railway that operates on the Bakuriani-Borjomi route. The ticket costs 3 GEL. A taxi for the same distance will cost around 30 GEL.
Entertainment
For those who have hung up their skis, Bakuriani offers several open hiking trails. The most famous is the "Information Trail". It can be hiked in March and April.
The resort offers various outdoor activities such as ice skating, snowmobiling, ATV riding, and horseback riding.
Among the cultural attractions, visitors to the resort will be interested in the Rabati and Vardzia fortresses, the ruins of the ancient Timotesubani Monastery, and the active Assumption of the Virgin Mary Cathedral.
Other Ski Resorts
Other ski resorts, which are unjustifiably less popular, include:
Hatsvali and Mestia
in the Svaneti region (1,500 meters above sea level). These small towns have only three slopes of different difficulty levels, a few small hotels, and one restaurant. The cost of a full-day lift pass is 20 GEL. The slopes are not crowded even during the high season.
Goderdzi
located at the highest point of Adjara. This is the youngest ski resort in Georgia, opened in 2015. The prices here are comparable to Bakuriani. It is easier to reach Goderdzi from Batumi (bus ticket costs 25 GEL).
