Ski resort Gudauri (Georgia) - 2021. Prices, slopes, tips

Where can you go skiing with a group of friends? Take a closer look at Gudauri! We tell you how to get to the Georgian resort, weather in winter, trails, hotels, food and entertainment. Prices for lifts and equipment rental. Bonus - reviews and advice from tourists.

Gudauri is one of the most developed ski resorts in Georgia. It is located in the north of the country, not far from the Georgian-Russian border. The modern complex is especially popular with youth companies and extreme lovers, but they also come here with children. There is no special entertainment, but after skiing on the slopes, you can spend time bowling, relax in the pool and enjoy local cuisine.

Currency exchange rate: 1 Georgian lari (GEL) ≈ 23 RUB.

Climate and weather in Gudauri

The mountain resort is famous for its mild winters, the absence of severe frosts and winds. The resort village is the highest village on the Georgian Military Highway, and there is always a lot of snow in these places. The thickness of the snow cover in winter reaches 3 m. Due to the dry climate and altitude, snow lies in the mountains for a very long time.

The skiing season starts in the middle or at the end December and lasts until the middle april... There are many sunny days at the beginning of winter. The temperature during the day drops to -5 ° С, and at night - to -10 ° С. IN january nighttime temperatures often reach -15 ° C. February colder than January and is characterized by large snowfalls and frequent clouds. This month the temperature can drop to -20 ° C. However, due to the low humidity, frosts are easily tolerated.

March famous for heavy snowfalls. The temperature is quite comfortable - from 0 ° С to -5 ° С. IN april the resort is sunny and the air warms up above 0 ° С.

How to get there and how much does it cost

Gudauri is 140 km away from Tbilisi. Many international flights arrive at the airport of the Georgian capital, so the main flow of tourists comes to the resort from Tbilisi.

Minibuses to the mountain village go from the bus station, which is located next to the station of Tbilisi metro "Didube". It takes almost an hour to get here from the airport. Minibuses run from 9:30 to 17:00 every 1.5-2 hours. The journey by public transport takes 3.5-4 hours, the fare is 7 GEL. The same amount is paid for bulky luggage. However, not all tourists choose this option, because it is inconvenient to carry ski equipment in the minibus.

Taxi... A taxi ride lasts 2 hours and costs from 150 GEL. To save money, they usually order a transfer for several people.

The road to Gudauri across the border... Many tourists travel by train or plane to Vladikavkaz and go to Gudauri by land transport through the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint. The distance of 80 km can be covered by taxi, minibus or regular bus.

Depending on the speed of crossing the border, the road takes from 2 to 4 hours. Transfer by car (up to 4 people) costs $ 90, and delivery by minivan (up to 7 people) or minibus (up to 12 people) costs from $ 160.

Pros - they get to the ski resort quickly, cheaply and along a picturesque mountain road. Cons - there are transport delays at the border. In addition, the Cross Pass is sometimes closed for passage due to heavy snowfalls and the danger of avalanches. There is no need to worry - the road is needed not only by tourists, but also by local residents, so it is quickly cleaned.

Trails

Gudauri is a large and modern ski resort in Georgia. It has excellent infrastructure suitable for inexperienced skiers, professional athletes and off-piste skiers.

On the slopes, there are 22 tracks with a length of more than 70 km. The longest of them stretches for 7.5 km. It is noteworthy that 80% of the tracks here are red and blue. The steepness of difficult slopes reaches 50 °. Snow groomers handle the snow every morning, and on some tracks artificial snow machines are used.

Bird's eye view of Gudauri tracks

The slopes are served by 12 lifts. The lower one was built at an altitude of 2000 m, and the highest point is on Sadzele Mountain (3258 m). The main cable cars of the resort:

• "Gudaura" - gondola lift for 10 passengers, designed for blue tracks.
• "Snow Park" - three-seat cable car, which is used by fans of extreme sports.
• "Kudebi" - three-chair lift leading to the top of the mountain of the same name. It is used by those who want to ride the red pistes and in the freeride areas.
• "Pirveli" - a three-seat cable car for servicing the lower green track.
• "Shino" - cable car, designed for 6 chairs and laid from a height of 2150 m.
• "Soliko" - 4-seat lift designed to service the blue slope and beginner trails.
• "Sadzele" - a four-chair cable car to the top of the mountain, designed to service the black and red trails.

Bugels... Skiers and snowboarders enjoy using the Alpina, Bombora and Baby drag lifts. The drag "Zuma" was created for the green track and the children's ski area. Next to it there is a 0.3 km tubing track.

Off-piste skiing... Freeride fans ride along the slopes under the lifts. They cut across the eastern and western slopes of the Bidar and Chrdili peaks, as well as the northern slopes of Sadzele. Throughout the winter season, heli-ski tours with instructors are organized from Gudauri.

Lift prices in Gudauri in 2020-2021

A single climb costs GEL 7, three climbs - GEL 18, and night skiing - GEL 10. The daily ski pass costs 40 GEL for adults and 25 GEL for children from 6 to 16 years old. For a ski pass for a week you need to pay 232 GEL. You can use the multi-pass, which is valid in all ski resorts in the country.

Learn about Bakuriani ski resort.

Prices for equipment and clothing rental in Gudauri

A standard set for the day - skis, poles, boots or snowboard and boots - costs 30-35 GEL. At the rental points of the resort village you can rent:

• skis - 20 GEL;
• ski boots - 20 GEL;
• helmet and gloves - 10 GEL;
• snowshoes - 20 GEL;
• avalanche equipment set - 50 GEL;
• snow shovel - 12 GEL;
• skis for a ski tour - 70 GEL;
• splitboards - 60GEL;
• telescopic ski poles - 15 GEL;
• beeper - 40 GEL;
• backpack for freeriding - 5 GEL.