Are you planning a winter vacation in Georgia? Then you definitely need our guide to Gudauri!

We have collected all the most important, relevant and useful information about the resort for 2025: from ski pass prices and freeride to the best hotels, restaurants, places for children and weekend routes. No fluff - only proven tips, convenient tables, your own map of the trails and even life hacks on how to save money 💸.

Read to the end - there is a bonus below!🎁

Content:

• 🏔 Why choose Gudauri?
• 📅 Ski season: when to go and what to consider
• 🎿 Updated map of trails and areas for all levels
• 🚠 Lifts: types, schedule, night skiing
• 💳 Ski pass prices and how to save
• 🛷 Equipment rental and what is included
• 👨‍🏫 Services of instructors and freeride guides
• ⚠️ Safety rules and avalanche equipment
• 🏨 The best hotels, hostels and apartments
• 🍽 Where to eat: restaurants, bars, après-ski
• 🪂 Entertainment: paragliding, tubing, snowbikes
• 🧒 Holidays with children: schools, playgrounds, lifts
• 🗺 What to see near the resort
• 🚖 How to get there from Tbilisi, Russia and Europe
• 📱 Useful services: Internet, pharmacies, exchange
• ❓ Frequently asked questions about Gudauri
  

🗻 Why choose Gudauri?

If you still have doubts about where to go skiing in the mountains, forget everything you've heard about other resorts. Gudauri is not just skiing. It's freedom, space, clean air, incredible views and the feeling that you're on top of the world. Literally.

📍 The resort is located 120 km from Tbilisi, along the famous Georgian Military Road, at an altitude of about 2,200 meters. The season lasts from December to April, and the snow here is stable and fluffy. Yes, the one that every rider dreams of.

Gudauri is:

• 80 km of pistes of all levels
• official freeride routes
• 14 modern lifts
• infrastructure that grows every year
• affordable prices for ski passes and accommodation
• incredible cuisine and hospitality
  

There are no 40-minute queues here, like at European resorts. And if you want to try real freeriding, but without the crowd and for reasonable money, this is the place for you.

🏔 A bit of history: how Gudauri appeared

Once upon a time, there was only a post station on the Georgian Military Road on the site of Gudauri. The first mentions of the village date back to the 18th century — merchants, travelers, and soldiers stayed here.

Everything changed in the 1980s, when Georgia decided to create a new generation ski resort. At first, cable cars were built in neighboring Kumlistsikhe, but soon the project was moved to Gudauri — closer to the pass, higher snow, better views.

🎿 In 1988, Gudauri officially became a resort. It was developed with the support of Austrian investors, modern trails, schools, hotels, and infrastructure were built.

Today, these are not just mountains — they are a symbol of winter recreation in Georgia, combining freedom, drive, culture, and Caucasian hospitality ❤️

📅Skiing season: when to go and what to consider

Winter in Gudauri begins not according to the calendar, but according to the snow - usually the slopes open in early December and close in mid-April. But the best period is mid-January to early March. At this time there is stable snow cover, excellent visibility, less wind and a lot of sun ☀️

🎯If you want:

💰 Save money — come in December before the New Year or at the end of March

❄️ Maximum snow — catch January and February

☀️ Lots of sun and beautiful photos — March is perfect!

🧘 Empty trails — weekdays outside of holidays, especially after the holidays

And also... there is night skiing! Yes, the PIRVELI trail is flooded with light in the evenings and turns into a separate adventure. For romantics and those who haven't skied enough during the day 🎿

📌 Advice:

Check the weather 2-3 days before the trip. Sometimes avalanches can block the road from Tbilisi, especially in the area of ​​the Cross Pass. But this is rare, and the trail is quickly cleared.

🎿 Updated trail map and zones for all levels

Gudauri has one of the most sophisticated trail systems in the Caucasus. The resort is designed for both beginners and experienced riders. All trails are located on the southern slopes, which provides maximum sun and visibility, and also makes riding comfortable even in frosty weather.

📍 Total mileage of trails — over 80 km!

Standard markings:

🔵 blue — easy

🔴 red — medium

⚫ black — difficult

🟡 freeride zones — not marked, but accessible from the lifts

🗺 Trail Map: Where to Ski

🔸 Beginners will start with the slopes near PIRVELI — wide, flat, with comfortable chairlifts and schools nearby.

🔸 Amateurs will appreciate SOLIKO and SHINO — they have dynamics and a good length. Excellent views and a pleasant slope.

🔸 Pros and freeriders — your choice is SADZELE and the upper part of KUDEBI. There is a sharp drop, and exits into virgin snow, and heliskiing sites. Be sure to take avalanche equipment and ride with a guide.

🧭 In the article, we attached a map of the slopes. Save it for yourself or print it out — it will come in handy!

📌 Advice:

Try to ride in the first half of the day — by 15:00 the slopes can be rolled out and a little icy.

🚠 Lifts: convenient, fast, no queues

14 lifts — and not a single long queue. Gudauri has a well-thought-out system for delivering riders to the peaks: chairlifts, gondolas, T-bars, and even "magic carpets" for the little ones. Everything works reliably, and the views during the ascent are like a postcard 🏔️

📍 Here's what you need to know:

• PIRVELI (1st lift) — ideal for beginners, lift on gentle slopes
• SOLIKO and SHINO — fast six-seater chairlifts with shelter
• SADZELE — the highest lift, opens access to black runs and freeride
• KOBI-1 and KOBI-2 — gondolas with fantastic views, connect Gudauri and Kobi
• GOOD AURA — modern gondola for 10 people, fast and comfortable
  

🎿 Night skiing? Yes!

Every evening the track under PIRVELI is illuminated — and you can enjoy skiing under the stars ✨

🛑 Tip:

If you want to be the first on fresh powder — get up early and get on the lift right before it opens. And if you're with an instructor — you skip the line 😉

💳 Ski pass prices and how to save

Gudauri ski passes are some of the most affordable in Europe, especially when compared to the Alps. Moreover, the quality of the slopes and lifts is not inferior - and in some places even better 🏔

🎟 Here are the current prices for lifts:

Price information taken from gudauri com

🟢 Discounts and perks:

• 👶 Children under 6 — free
• 🎓 Students and schoolchildren — 50% discount
• 🇬🇪 Citizens of Georgia — first day free
• 💳 The card is reusable, works at other resorts (if with a chip)

🛍 Where to buy?

You can do it right there - at the box office, or in advance online through the official website, so as not to stand in lines. There is Wi-Fi, terminals and payment by card.

📌 Lifehack:

Take a subscription for several days at once - it's cheaper. For example, 3 separate days cost 180 GEL, and a package for 3 days - 150 GEL 😉

🛷Equipment Rental: Travel Light

Arrived without equipment? No problem! Gudauri has dozens of rental shops where you can rent everything you need — from skis and snowboards to jackets and gloves. The quality of the equipment is pleasantly surprising, and the prices are pleasing 😎

🎿What can be rented:

• alpine skis and poles
• snowboards
• boots of any size
• helmets, glasses, masks
• ski suits
• protection (turtles, knee pads)
• children's sets

📍 Popular rentals:

• Aviator Ski Rental
• Gudauri Ski Rent
• Ski Rent Dagi
• Burusport
• Sadari (more than 500 sets to choose from!)
  

💰 Prices start from 25-30 GEL per day for a full set. Discounts for renting for several days. Some places will even offer a free boot change if something doesn't fit.

📌 Advice:

If you've been skiing for a while, be sure to check when the edges and wax were changed. And don't forget to test the bindings before skiing.

👨‍🏫 Instructors and freeride guides: with them you will have twice the fun

If you are skiing for the first time, don't risk it yourself! Even 2-3 lessons with an instructor will save you a lot of time, effort and... knees 😅

And if you are experienced, take a guide for freeriding or ski touring. He knows where there is fresh snow, a safe descent and a thrill without a crowd.

🟢 There are three categories of instructors:

• C — beginner level, teaches the basics
• B — works with confident skiers and corrects mistakes
• A — pros, can lead on freeride, ski touring, difficult terrain
  

📍 Average price of a lesson is from 100 to 200 GEL per hour, depending on the level and season. Group lessons are cheaper.

🎯 Certified freeride guides in Gudauri:

• lead you along proven and safe routes
• select descent lines according to your level
• monitor the weather and avalanche conditions
• help with avalanche equipment and radio communications
  

🚨 Important:

If you go freeriding, a beeper, probe and shovel are a must! Without this, you simply won’t be allowed on the lift during avalanche-prone periods.

📌 Advice:

Look for guides and instructors through trusted services or recommendations - not only your progress, but also your safety depends on them.

⚠️ Safety on the slope - don't be a hero, think with your head

Gudauri is a resort for fun, but the mountains do not forgive frivolity. Especially if you are freeriding or going to the backcountry. Here, not only skills are important, but also equipment, communication and common sense.

🧭 If something happens, call 112 immediately.

Rescuers work quickly and are in touch 24 hours a day. Their coverage area is the entire resort, including remote slopes and gorges.

📡 What do rescuers use:

• VHF radios 134–174 MHz
• power up to 5 W
• two channels (direct and via repeater)
• channel access code (you can get it from instructors)

🚁 Freeride and avalanches:

Snow avalanches are rare, but they do happen. Especially in the SADZELE areas and off-piste. All lifts in avalanche zones are only allowed with a beeper.

🎒 What is essential when skiing off-piste:

• Beeper (emergency beacon)
• Probe (searches under snow)
• Shovel (digs quickly and efficiently)
• Backpack with ABS system (optional)
  

📌 Medical insurance is a must have!

Medicine in Georgia is paid. In Gudauri - only first aid. Everything else: hospital, transportation to Tbilisi, tests and procedures - at your expense, if you do not have an insurance policy. It is better to get insurance that covers active sports.

📝 Advice:

If you are planning freeriding, at least go to a free lecture on avalanche safety. This is 40 minutes that can save your life.

🏨 Where to live in Gudauri - cozy, convenient, businesslike

Choosing accommodation in Gudauri is not an easy task. There are hotels, apartments, chalets, hostels and entire cottages with mountain views. But don't panic - we've got it all sorted out 👇

📍 Districts of Gudauri:

• New Gudauri is the center of parties, restaurants and gondola. Everything is within walking distance here. Ideal for those who want to ski during the day and relax in the evening 🍷
• Upper Gudauri is quieter, calmer, there are many chalets and cozy apartments. Good for families and those who appreciate the view from the window
• Lower Gudauri is a budget option. You will have to walk a little to the ski lifts, but the prices are pleasing

🛏Best accommodation options:

Monte Hotel — secluded, with a view of the mountains. There is a terrace, sauna, transfer.

Best Western Gudauri — right on the slopes. Ski in and ski out for breakfast!

Good Inn Hotel — next to the cable car. Clean, warm, quiet.

Hotel GoodAura — coziness, home-cooked food, pub with a real Georgian feast.

💡In some hotels, accommodation includes:

• discounted ski pass
• transfer to ski lifts
• free sauna
• equipment rental
• breakfasts and dinners

📌 Advice:

Book in advance, especially if you are going in January or on holidays. And if you want peace and quiet, choose a hotel 5-10 minutes from the highway, but with a transfer.

🍲 Where to eat well and relax after skiing

After a day on the slope, you want one thing - to eat well, warm up and disconnect from the world. Gudauri has it all: national cuisine, cozy halls, homely atmosphere, live music and mountains outside the window.

🍛 What you must try:

• Khinkali — especially juicy in Gudauri
• Kubdari — meat pie from Svaneti, hearty and with soul
• Chashushuli and kharcho — will warm you up better than any mulled wine
• Sulguni on ketsi — stretchy cheese with a crust
• Tarragon, wine, chacha — better at sunset and with stories
  

🍽 The best establishments of the resort:

🍷 Ati Ambavi — a cozy restaurant at the hotel. Ideal for a romantic dinner or a soulful evening with friends. Live fire, delicious khinkali and wine straight from Kakheti.

🍖 Gamarjoba — Georgian classic. Everything like in Tbilisi, only in the mountains. Recommended for those who are in Georgia for the first time — immersion in gastroculture is guaranteed.

🍺 Bar Snow Time — for those who haven’t skied enough. Beer, music, snacks, board games and aperitifs after the slope. The unofficial center of aper-ski life 😎

🍽 Monte Gudauri and Club-2100 — hotel restaurants with excellent cuisine, where you can not only have dinner, but also stay for a bathhouse or sauna.

📌 Advice:

Try khinkali with veal or mushrooms — and not just with meat. And be sure to say “no” to the fork — eat with your hands, like the locals. It’s tastier that way 😉

🎢Entertainment and recreation in Gudauri off-piste

Skiing is skiing, but Gudauri is not only about skiing and snowboarding. There is something to do here, even if you are not going to get on a board at all. Or if you are looking for new sensations. Ready? Let's go ⬇️

✨ TOP activities besides the trails:

🪂 Paragliding

Yes, you really fly over the mountains! Flights with an instructor are available almost every day. Safe, bright and unforgettable. They take off from the upper stations of the lifts, landing is at the bottom of the road.

🚁 Heli-skiing and freeride

This is when you are dropped off in a helicopter in virgin snow, and you descend, leaving the first trace. For those for whom “adrenaline” is their middle name. Only with an experienced guide!

❄️ Snowmobiles and snowbikes

A powerful engine, the roar of the motor and snow-white expanses. If you want to have a race with friends or watch the mountains at sunset - a must try.

🧖‍♂️ Baths and saunas

A sauna after the track is like dessert after dinner. Hot steam, fragrant brooms, herbal tea or a glass of wine ... you deserve it!

🎮 Snowpark and tubing for kids (and adults!)

If you're with your family, the kids will love it. Mountains + tubing = delight. The ski lifts are working, the trails are safe, there are trails with an escalator.

🚵‍♂️ Summer activities (if you're out of season):

Cycling trails, ATVs, horseback riding, trekking, motorsports and even festivals - in the summer, Gudauri turns into a mountain camp for adventures.

📌 Advice:

It's better to book a paraglider in advance. But the sauna - right after skiing. The queue there is like at a restaurant on Friday 😄

🧒 Gudauri with children - ride, play, relax with the whole family

Planning a trip to Gudauri with kids? Great idea! The resort is family-friendly, safe, clean, fun and has plenty of opportunities to keep even the most restless toddler busy.

👶What's here for kids:

🎿 Free ski lifts for kids

Children under 6-7 years old can go up for free - on almost all cable cars.

🏂 Ski schools and mini-instructors

There are schools that accept children from 5 years old. Experienced instructors will teach you to ski from scratch. They play, teach through movements, help you adapt without pressure.

🏰 Children's rooms and playgrounds

Hotels like Monte Gudauri, Club-2100 and Magi Style have play areas, rooms with a nanny and even outdoor playgrounds (in winter - snow fortresses, in summer - trampolines and swings).

🛷 Tubing and mini-snowmobiles

A children's tubing track operates near the Gondola. The escalator takes you up, and then - steeeeeeply down! Safe, fun and even adults find it hard to resist 😄

📌 Tips for parents:

• Clothing - in 2 layers: thermal underwear and waterproof top. The weather can change in 10 minutes.
• Sunscreen - a must even in January. Height = ultraviolet.
• Bring snacks, water and a thermos with tea. Walks can be long!
• Book hotels with a play area or a nanny - you need a rest too 😌
  

Everything is done to make your vacation with children easy, fun and comfortable. Both you and your child will want to come back here again 💙

🚗 How to get to Gudauri - fast, convenient, without unnecessary stress

No matter where you're coming from, Gudauri is easy to get to and there are plenty of options. Choose one that suits your style and budget: from a comfortable transfer to a budget minibus.

✈️ From other countries:

By plane to Tbilisi

Arrive at Tbilisi Airport (TBS), and then 120 km and you're in the mountains! Travel time is about 2 hours.

🟡 There are no direct flights to Gudauri - only to Tbilisi or Batumi.

🟢 There are convenient transfers via Minsk, Yerevan, Istanbul, Dubai, etc.

🚗 From Tbilisi to Gudauri:

🚖Taxi and transfers

• Fast, warm, no stops
• Price: 150–250 GEL
• Suitable for a family or a group with luggage
• Can be ordered in advance (Maxim, Bolt, private)
  

🚐 Minibuses from Didube station

• The most budget-friendly option (20-30 GEL per person)
• Run daily
• Travel time: 2.5-3 hours
• Cons: limited comfort and schedule
  

🚙 Car rental

• Ideal if you are planning to travel around Georgia
• The road is picturesque: Ananuri fortress, Zhinvali reservoir, pass
• Be sure to take a car with winter tires!
  

📌 Important to know:

The road runs along the Georgian Military Highway through the Cross Pass. In winter, it can be closed for several hours due to snowfalls. Always check the forecast and road status!

📝 Lifehack:

If you want beauty, choose a car. If you want peace and quiet, choose a transfer. If you want to save money, choose a minibus.

And if you don't want to think, order a transfer with a driver who monitors the weather and adjusts to you ☑️

🏞 What to see near Gudauri - beauty that cannot be missed

Gudauri is not only a ski resort. It is part of the legendary Georgian Military Road, which is a journey in itself! Everything is close by: ancient fortresses, natural wonders, historical sites. Ideal for short half-day or full-day trips.

📍 Top places near the resort:

🏰 Ananuri Fortress

17th century, at the confluence of two rivers. A majestic citadel with towers, churches and a view of the Zhinvali Reservoir. A must-have photo and hot lobio in a cafe by the road 😋

🌉 Friendship of Nations Arch

A 360° panoramic observation deck right in the mountains. Mosaics, freedom and winds! You can approach on foot or by snowmobile, and in the summer - even have a picnic with a view.

🌋 Trusovskoye Gorge

Mysterious and atmospheric. Ancient towers, sulfur springs, “weeping rocks” and shepherd villages. The best location for hiking or ATV rides.

🏔 Sno Village and Khada Gorge

Here are stone towers older than centuries. Ideal for trekking, photography and “disconnecting from civilization”. Real wild Georgia without tourists.

⛪ Lomisi Temple

You need to walk up to it, but the atmosphere and the view are worth every drop of sweat. Here you can feel the magic of the Caucasus and the power of Georgian traditions.

📌 Advice:

You can take excursions on the spot - at the hotel, from the drivers or online in advance. But if you want silence and unique photos - get up early and go yourself 😉

📡 Internet, communications and useful life hacks in Gudauri

To make your vacation truly comfortable, it is important to stay in touch, have access to the Internet and understand where it is profitable to exchange money. Everything is simple if you know the nuances ⬇️

📲Mobile communications and Internet:

All Georgian operators work in Gudauri:

• Magti — the best signal in the mountains
• Geocell — good in cities, but a little weaker in Gudauri
  

💡 You can buy a SIM card in Tbilisi, Batumi or even at the airport. You need a passport.

Tariffs are from 5 to 10 GEL for 5–15 GB. This is enough to shoot stories, communicate and look at maps.

⚠️ In Gudauri, there is Wi-Fi in hotels, cafes, even on some ski lifts. But it is more reliable to have your own SIM card.

💶 Where to change money:

• The best rate is in Tbilisi.
• In Gudauri the rate is often worse, especially in hotels and at receptions.
• Exchange dollars or euros. Rubles are accepted, but at an unfavorable rate.
• ATMs: Bank of Georgia, TBC Bank, Liberty - are in the center of the resort.
  

📝 Advice:

Change the required amount immediately - ATMs and exchange offices may be closed in the evenings or in bad weather.

🎒 5 life hacks that will make your vacation better:

1. Buy a phone case with a carabiner. So you don't lose it on the lift 😉
2. Take cash! In villages and on minibuses — cards don't work.
3. Check the road on the Cross Pass. Sometimes it's closed — there are Telegram channels with updates.
4. Take a powerbank. Mountains quickly drain gadgets.
5. Always have a thermos with tea. Trust me — it will come in handy!

🏁Final word and gift at the end of the article 🎁

Now you know everything about Gudauri - where to ski, how to save money, what to eat, where to live, and how to create a winter fairy tale at an altitude of 2200 meters 🏔️

We hope this guide was useful - save the article so you don't lose it!

And when you return from the mountains - be sure to leave your comment below:

• what I liked
• where I was
• what advice would I add
• and most importantly - where was the best khinkali in Gudauri! 😉
  

🎁Gift at the end:

Top 5 secret life hacks from experienced riders:

1. Always take a mask with a photochromic lens. The weather in Gudauri is changeable — you'll thank me! 😎
3. Skiing in March is gold: sun, few people, good prices.
5. Take freeride in the morning — before the powder is rolled out.
7. Warming cream and a second layer of gloves are a must-have.
9. Want a photo without the crowd? Go up on the lift first!
   

📢 The floor is yours!

Write in the comments below the article:

👉 Which locations and trails did you like the most

👉 Where is the best wine and food

👉 Or just leave a life hack for future guests of the resort 🙌

Inspire others - and help us make this guide even better!

❓ Frequently asked questions about Gudauri

🏷️1. How much does a ski pass cost in Gudauri?

🎿 From 10 GEL for 1 lift. 1 day - 60 GEL, a week - 310 GEL. There are discounts for children, students and Georgian citizens.

📅 2. When is the best time to go to Gudauri?

❄️ From December to March is the ideal season. More snow in January-February, more sun and discounts in March.

👶 3. Is Gudauri suitable for beginners?

✅ Yes! There are gentle slopes, schools and certified instructors who will teach you how to ski from scratch.

💳 4. Where to buy a ski pass?

🛒 At the ticket office on site or online on the resort's website. A reusable magnetic card is used, which can be replenished.

🚸 5. Can I go with children?

👨‍👩‍👧 Of course! Children's rooms, tubing, mini-snowmobiles, ski schools and even free ski lifts for children under 6.

📶 6. Is there Internet and communication in Gudauri?

📱 Yes, Wi-Fi - in hotels and cafes, mobile communication from Magti and other operators. It is recommended to buy a local SIM card.

🚗 7. How to get to Gudauri from Tbilisi?

🛻 Taxi, transfer, minibus from the Didube station or rented car. Travel time is about 2 hours.

🧭 8. What to see near Gudauri?

🏞 Ananuri Fortress, Friendship Arch, Truso Gorge, Lomisi Temple, Sno village - all within 30-90 minutes' drive.

🛏 9. Where is the best place to stay?

🏨 In New Gudauri - closer to the ski lifts and the crowd. In Upper Gudauri - quieter and more picturesque. There are hotels, chalets and apartments.

🍲 10. Where to eat in Gudauri?

🍛 In the restaurants Ati Ambavi, Gamarjoba, Snow Time, Monte, Club-2100. Be sure to try khinkali and sulguni on ketsi!

🧖‍♂️ 11. Are there saunas and baths?

🔥 Yes! In some hotels - free, in spa centers - for an additional fee. The best: Spa GoGudauri, Eco Chalet, Tsar-Bani.

🚁 12. Is there freeride and heli-skiing?

🎿 Yes! Gudauri is one of the best freeride resorts in the Caucasus. There are professional guides and helicopter descents.

🚨 13. How safe is it to ride off-piste?

⚠️ Only with a beeper, probe and shovel. You are not allowed into avalanche zones without them. Better with a guide.

💰 14. Where to change money in Gudauri?

💶 Better in Tbilisi. There are ATMs in Gudauri (Bank of Georgia, TBC), but the exchange rate is less favorable.

🎒 15. What should you definitely take with you?

✔️ Equipment, thermal underwear, sun protection, power bank, headlamp, first aid kit and a good mood 😄