Gudauri Ski Resort, Georgia: Getting There, Where to Stay, Skiing

In short

Where. Gudauri is a ski resort in Kazbegi Municipality, 120 km from Tbilisi. The village sits at around 2,200 m, and the resort has been running since 1988 (resort operator MTA, checked on 19.10.2026).

Skiing. According to Georgia's tourism portal (page dated 12.12.2024): 20 runs with a total length of 37 km and 18 lifts, reaching up to 3,276 m. Runs come in four colours, from green for beginners to black.

Season. Usually from December to mid-April. The operator will announce the exact opening date for 2026/27 separately.

Lifts. Last season, the lifts in the Gudauri and Kobi zones ran daily from 10:00 to 17:00, with night skiing on Fridays and Saturdays from 20:00 to 22:00 (MTA operator FAQ). Check the new season's schedule before you go.

The road. From Tbilisi, the route to Gudauri runs through Zhinvali and Pasanauri; the tourism portal puts the drive at 2 hours 25 minutes. Beyond Gudauri, the road to Kobi and Stepantsminda crosses a mountain pass. In winter, check restrictions on your stretch with the Roads Department.

Where is Gudauri

The resort lies on the road from Tbilisi to Stepantsminda (Kazbegi). From the capital, the road passes the Zhinvali Reservoir and Pasanauri, then climbs in hairpin bends (Georgia Travel). This is the Georgian Military Road, and there is a separate article about it.

Sources give different altitudes because they measure different points. The resort operator puts the village at around 2,200 m. The tourism portal gives the lower part of the resort at 1,989 m and the top lift station at 3,276 m.

A short answer to "where is it" and "when is the season" is in our questions section: Where is Gudauri and when is the ski season.

How to get there

From Tbilisi to Gudauri

• Distance: 120 km (MTA and Georgia Travel).
• Route: through Zhinvali and Pasanauri, then up the hairpins to the resort.
• Time: 2 hours 25 minutes according to the tourism portal's table. Allow longer in snow and ice.
• By car: get the car ready for winter and check restrictions on your stretch before setting off.
• Transfer or taxi: give the driver the exact address of your accommodation, the number of passengers and how many skis and snowboards you have.

The nearest major airport is in Tbilisi. From Batumi and Kutaisi the journey is considerably longer.

From Gudauri to Kobi and Stepantsminda

Beyond Gudauri, the road to Kobi and Stepantsminda goes over a pass. This stretch is restricted more often in winter. If you are staying in Gudauri and not going further, you do not need to cross the pass.

Traffic restrictions are published by the Roads Department of Georgia on its restrictions page. Look up your stretch and your vehicle category: restrictions for lorries, vehicles with trailers and cars can differ. A notice about a past restriction does not mean the road is closed today. Do not book your return transfer too close to your flight.

Where to stay: Lower, Upper and New Gudauri

The resort is divided into areas: Lower, Upper and New Gudauri. They differ in how far you are from the lifts, how many cafes and shops are around and how quiet it is in the evening. The differences are covered in detail in the article Gudauri: how Upper, New and Lower differ.

Before booking, ask your host:

• which lift station you will walk to and what that walk is like in winter;
• whether you can ski back to the door or will have to walk;
• whether there is a boot and ski room, parking and heating;
• what the price includes: cleaning, breakfast, late check-in.

Hotels and apartments are listed in the directory: hotels in Gudauri. Places by area: where to stay in Gudauri. What a trip costs in total is covered in the article A holiday in Gudauri: the cost of accommodation and rentals.

Gudauri ski resort.

Skiing: runs, lifts and ski passes

Runs and lifts

According to Georgia's tourism portal (12.12.2024), the resort has 20 runs with a total length of 37 km and 18 lifts. Runs are marked in four colours: green for beginners, blue for intermediates, red for experienced skiers and black for very difficult. If you are on skis or a snowboard for the first time, start on the nursery slope with an instructor rather than heading straight for a blue run. The resort is known for freeride and heli-skiing, and there is a snow park.

A gondola links Gudauri with Kobi. MTA says the ride up to Kobi takes about 45 minutes. From Kobi to Stepantsminda it is another 20 km or so by road: the gondola will not take you to your hotel in Kazbegi.

Lift hours and night skiing

Last season, according to the MTA FAQ, the lifts in the Gudauri and Kobi zones ran daily from 10:00 to 17:00, with night skiing on Fridays and Saturdays from 20:00 to 22:00. The operator will publish the 2026/27 schedule separately; it shows the status of runs and lifts at status.mta.ski.

Ski passes

Key points from the MTA operator FAQ:

• Children under 6 ride the lifts free. The child pass covers ages 6 to 12 inclusive, the junior pass ages 13 to 18.
• You need a plastic card. You cannot get through with an e-ticket or a QR code. The card can be topped up again in later seasons.
• No refunds are given on a ski pass once bought.
• Where to buy: at the resort ticket offices, at the Marco Polo Gudauri hotel and at Smart shops (Tbilisi, 13th km; Gudauri; Borjomi; Zhinvali); online at SKIPASS.GE, TKT.GE, in Super App and on Biletebi.
• Student pass: check the terms and how to prove your status in the MTA FAQ.

How to choose a ski pass and save money is covered in the article Gudauri ski pass: prices and where to buy.

Rental and instructors

There are ski and snowboard rental shops all over the resort: see equipment rental in Gudauri in the directory. What to ask at the rental shop is covered in the article Equipment rental in Gudauri. How to choose an instructor: Ski instructor in Gudauri.

Safety

An open lift does not mean it is safe to ski off-piste. Only leave the marked runs if you are prepared, carry avalanche safety gear and have a guide. A ski patrol works on the runs (the tourism portal says a permanent patrol was set up in 2016). The single emergency number in Georgia is 112.

Check that your insurance covers skiing and snowboarding. About medical care in the country: medicine in Georgia.

Illustration.

Things to do besides skiing

The tourism portal and the resort operator list in Gudauri:

• paragliding in winter and summer, taking off from the top of the Kudebi lift;
• heli-skiing and freeride;
• a snow park;
• in summer, cycle trails, walks and the same paragliding.

Check what is available for your dates: anything weather-dependent may be cancelled. Active holidays are covered in the article Gudauri: winter activities and sport.

Where to eat after skiing: restaurants in Gudauri in the directory. All places at the resort: Gudauri in the Madloba directory. If you are travelling with children, see our selection of places for a holiday with children in Georgia.

What to see on the way and nearby

• Ananuri Fortress on the Zhinvali Reservoir, on the road from Tbilisi: article about the fortress.
• Truso Gorge beyond Kobi: article about the gorge.
• Towers of the Khada Gorge: article.
• Stepantsminda (Kazbegi), 32 km from Gudauri (Georgia Travel).