Gudauri Ski Resort
Gudauri is the largest ski resort in Georgia. Located near Europe's highest peaks in the Greater Caucasus mountains, Gudauri provides superb skiing on a serious mountain with modern lifts.
Georgian culture and food add to what is already a fascinating ski destination. Whilst accurate information about Gudauri is surprisingly hard to come by, we will check it all out in season 20/21 and sort the truth from the embellishments & lies!
Pros & Cons for Gudauri Ski Resort
Pros
- High elevation ski area in a very snowy part of the Caucasus;
- Modern lift infrastructure;
- Reasonable skiable vertical (over 1000m+);
- Lifted access to sensational backcountry freeride powder lines;
- Cheap ski lift tickets;
- Minimal lift lines;
- Fabulous food & wine (& cheap!);
- Ski-in ski-out accommodation available or low-cost alternatives;
- Culturally, Georgia is an intriguing country to visit – more than just skiing.
Cons
- Only a few days’ worth of interest for anyone stuck on the groomed piste trails;
- Lift opening times may be more of a guide, than set in stone, potentiallyt frustrating!
- The off-piste powder is increasingly sought by skiers from Western Europe;
- Like most places in Georgia, not easy to get on public transport (from Kutaisi airport exempted - see below!);
- Most of the modern accommodation is high priced compared to the Georgian cost of living.
Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)
- It is possible to eat & drink far too much here;
- Avalanche danger in the backcountry (or even inbounds) can be high – take care.
Lifts & Terrain
Gudauri has a modern lift system and ridiculously cheap lift passes. Four modern gondolas, & four 6-seater chairs do most of the heavy lifting. A serious lift malfunction in season 2017/18 resulting in injuries to skiers should ensure that the safety of future patrons is paramount to the resort! The skiable vertical seems consistently mis-quoted, with the upper elevation often stated as 3,276m. We believe that is the highest point in the ski area, but the highest lifted point if 2993m at the top of the Kudebi 2 chair. Regardless, the general high elevation provides quality snow conditions.
The upper ski lifts provide unparalleled access to endless freeride powder. With some boot packing & skinning, the terrain is even more vast.
Trail maps of Gudauri are notoriously out of date, so assume whatever one you are looking at is superseded in reality. See the most recent outdated Gudauri ski trail map here.
A great way to explore Gudauri is via one of our hosted tours (see listings at the bottom of the page) or hook up with a local guide once you are there.
[AdListings Filter="Gudauri Guiding"]
Where is Gudauri Georgia?
The Gudauri ski resort is around 120km north of the capital Tbilisi. For the country’s largest ski area, it is surprising difficult for the uninitiated to get to. The closest major international airport is Tbilisi (TBS), 140km or 2.5hr drive to the ski resort, but a better option is possibly Kutaisi (KUT), further to the west. There are direct & regular bus transfers to Gudauri from Kutaisi airport, however the drawback is less frequent flight arrivals from fewer origins than Tbilisi. Use our flight search engine to book flights from major & secondary European airports.
Travel from the Tbilisi airport to Gudauri is best arranged prior to arrival via your tour operator, hotel or via an online transfer service such as via the link below. Search & book a seamless, private transfer direct from the Tbilisi airport to Gudauri here.
Anyone travelling ‘under their own steam’ & on the cheap can still organise a local taxi to make the journey, but make you agree on price before doing so. Public transport options from the airport to Gudauri are near non-existent. A train & buses connect the airport to the Tbilisi city centre from where it is possible to take a minibus (known locally as a marshrutka) to Gudauri. The marshrutka leave from a hectic bus station in Didube, which is near the subway train station of the same name. Signs on the buses tend to be in Georgian, so you will have to ask! Enjoy!
For a direct, cheap but comfortable bus from Kutaisi airport to Gudauri search & buy tickets via the Georgian Bus website.
Gudauri Accommodation
Gudauri has no shortage of choice & availability when it comes to accommodation. A recent building boom has seen a host of new boutique hotels & low rise, ski-in apartment complexes added to the ski resort; many of which are available for rent. Further down the hill in the original part of the ski resort, more hotels dot the landscape. Many of these newer hotels do come at a cost, albeit for a lot less than in western Europe. Regardless of where you stay, if you need to organise a safe, cost effective airport transfer, ask your accommodation provider for advice.
Of the newer stock, in a prime location near the base of the lifts is the 4-star Marco Polo Gudauri Hotel. Otherwise try the Gudauri Inn, the good value, slopeside & ski-in/ski-out Gudauri Hotel Loft. A little further along the road is the visually intriguing Quadrum Hotel.
Older hotels & apartments plus traditional guesthouses tend to be as cheap as chips (i.e. good value).
Search & book all Gudauri ski accommodation here.
Review
The Powderhounds intended reviewing Gudauri in 2020, but things change & so did our plans. We are doing a comprehensive journey through Georgia in early 2021. More information will come after we visit. Stay tuned for our photos & insights.
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