Ski Holidays in Georgia

Georgia becomes an attractive destination for ski lovers. More and more travelers choose Georgia as the next ski destination due to its fast-growing infrastructure, fascinating nature and landscapes, reasonable rates, and of course its cultural and historical heritage and delicious cuisine. Among the few options available, there are two popular ski resorts that are top choices for local and international travelers: Gudauri and Bakuriani. In addition to them, new ski resorts are being developed in the country such as Hatsvali and Tetnuldi in Svaneti and Goderdzi in Adjara. These resorts are not crowded yet and the infrastructure is still in the development stage, however, they are planned to be alternative options to satisfy the growing niche market of ski lovers. 

In this article, we will tell you about Gudauri and Bakuriani resorts and share important information to help you choose and plan better your ski vacations in Georgia.

Gudauri

Gudauri is one of the most popular ski resorts in Georgia. The skiing slopes stretch for up to 16 km. They are of different difficulty levels - from "green," which is for children and beginners, to "black," which is for more proficient skiers. The Doppelmayer cable car, which was built by Austrian ski experts, is located in this resort. For lovers of cross-country skiing, some trails run through very beautiful places.

gudauri

Lovers of heli-skiing and freeriding often come to Gudauri. It is absolutely safe here: the snow cover is dense, there are no stones on the mountain slopes, and avalanches in these parts are very rare. The heli-skiing sites are located at an altitude of 1500 to 4200 m. Regardless of the tourist's level of training, they must be accompanied by an instructor on a helicopter.

There are usually enough places at hotels for everyone even in season, due to the wide range of hotels. You can also find many restaurants and cafes with Georgian cuisine, baths, and bowling for evening entertainment.

Lift pass: a subscription for a day in Gudauri will cost around $15 for adults and about $8 for children. If you buy the passes for an entire week, discounts will be applied. There are also equipment rentals in the area, which price starts from $10 per person per day.

How to get there: It is about a 120 km ride from Tbilisi to Gudauri. You can pre-order a transfer from the hotel or any other point in the city - this is the easiest option. For a more budget-friendly option, you can choose a public minibus from the Didube metro station. 

If you want to have a more independent schedule and love to control your time, you can rent a car with Enterprise.

Bakuriani

Bakuriani is the oldest ski resort in the Caucasus. It was known at the end of the 19th century when the imperial family drew attention to these picturesque mountain slopes, and today it is a preferred choice for ski holidays in Georgia along with Gudauri.

Most of the tracks are located on the slopes of Mount Kokhta. Its peak is 2200 m above sea level; two tracks for advanced athletes of 1.5 and 3 km are laid from it at once. Steep slopes are abruptly replaced by calm sections that are also loved among ravelers. There are fewer opportunities for beginners, but there is, for example, a 300-meter "green" track available.

The resort has drag lifts and chair lifts, several cross-country skiing trails, a park with an ice rink, snowmobile and ATV rental, and horse-drawn carriage rides.

Bakuriani

Lift pass: The one-time pass of the cable car costs around $2. You can pay around $10 to have a full-day lift pass. Prices for rental of ski equipment are the same as in Gudauri - $10 per day. 

How to get there: The road from Tbilisi to Bakuriani is about 180 km. A taxi will cost about $50-$60 along with luggage. If you have some bargaining talents, you can get cheaper options as well. A more budget option is to get from Tbilisi to Borjomi by train, which runs twice a day, but you should clarify the schedule beforehand. Once you reach Borjomi, you can take a taxi to take you to the ski resort. A taxi from Borjomi to Bakuriani will cost around $10 as it is only 30 km of driving. 

Renting a car is another option you might consider. Enterprise Rent-A-Car offers you a great selection of cars and SUV`s with unlimited mileage and insurance. Safety and comfort will give you peace of mind and let you enjoy your holidays in Georgia

If you are interested in skiing in Georgia, Gudauri and Bakuriani ski resorts can be a good choice. There are various ski slopes for everyone, no matter if you are a beginner or a professional. And in the evenings you can always enjoy the lively restaurants and cafes, and enjoy Georgian cuisine. 

Share the topic

Ski Holidays in Georgia

Check out more blogs and articles