Gudauri is the largest and one of the most popular ski resorts in Georgia. It is located in the Caucasus Mountains between Europe and Asia, 120 km northwest of the capital Tbilisi and about 600 km from the former Olympic city of Sochi. The resort is the highest settlement on the Georgian military road at an altitude of 2,000 m. The season in Gudauri starts in early December and lasts until the end of April. The highest point of the resort is Mount Sadzele at 3,307 m above sea level. From Tbilisi, Gudauri can be reached in about 2 hours.
5-star ski area with all amenities
The highest point of the resort is Mount Sadzele at 3,307 m above sea level. Chairlifts, button lifts and a gondola lift allow skiing and snowboarding along the southern slopes. There are 70 km of certified slopes of various levels of difficulty at an altitude of 2,000 m to 3,275 m. The average snow depth on these slopes is 2.5 m and they meet the highest international standards.
In Gudauri, the base lift is located at 2,200 m above sea level, and the upper lift at 3,285 m. Freeriding is possible both on the slopes at the ski lifts and in the adjacent area on the western and eastern slopes of the Chrdili, Bidara and northern slopes of Sadzele. From a large part of the off-piste area, you can ski directly back to the lifts. Adrenaline junkies also have the opportunity to try paragliding, speedriding, an extreme mix of skiing and paragliding, and heliskiing.
Gudauri – skiing fun for the whole family
Visitors can choose from about a dozen reasonably priced ski and snowboard rentals and a wide range of accommodation, from the very simple to the super luxurious. All this goes hand in hand with Eastern European hospitality and a relaxed lifestyle.
The panorama is unforgettable, especially with a view of the Kazbeg mountain at 5,033 m. On Fridays and Saturdays there is also night skiing, the lifts are then open between 20.00 and 22.00 and the path is illuminated. In the village there is a supermarket and dozens of good restaurants. In the immediate vicinity of the hotel, children can romp around in playgrounds, or take private or group ski lessons at a ski school.
The New Year’s week is considered the highlight of the season in Gudauri, with visitors from different regions of Georgia and abroad. Due to the excellent infrastructure, sunny mountain slopes and low avalanche danger, Gudauri is recognized as the most attractive ski mountain resort in Georgia .
Attractions in the area
There are local architectural and natural attractions within 25-30 km of Gudauri. Visitors can enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the Cross Pass at 2,395 m, visit the Monastery of the Holy Trinity in Gergeti on the slopes of the Kazbek Mountains at 5,048 m, and take a trip to the Truso Gorge and along the Darial Gorge, which extends to the border with Russia . Gudauri is a rapidly developing location that is experiencing a growing influx of hotels, guesthouses, sports centers, restaurants, lounges, and bars.
Directions to the Gudauri ski area
First we fly to Tbilisi. Transfer from the airport to Gudauri can be done by private taxis/minibuses. The journey takes about 2 hours. If you don’t book the transfer in advance, but buy the ticket at the airport, you may still be able to negotiate something in the price. Since the ski rentals are comparatively cheap, you don’t necessarily have to take all the equipment with you. In Georgia, all ski resorts are managed by the government. Nevertheless, Gudauri offers comfort at the highest level at really affordable prices. Even with a flight, a ski holiday in Gudauri is much more affordable than in the Alps and is also less crowded.
Relaxation all year round
In summer, Gudauri opens its doors to lovers of mountaineering and summer mountain tourism. A rich and varied summer holiday program is offered, such as climbing tours, camping, jeep tours and mountain biking, fishing, rafting and helicopter tours. There is no better base than Gudauri to explore the Greater Caucasus all year round.
