Gudauri Ski Resort in Georgia: Slopes, Altitude and Prices

History of the Resort

The village is located not far from the Georgian Military Road. The distance from Gudauri to Tbilisi is about 120 kilometers. The first mentions of this village appear in documents dating back to the 13th century. In the past, these places were called Kudebi (Gud-Mountain), or more precisely, this was the name of the mountain on which the village stands. The name Gudauri dates back to 1824, after a memorial cross was erected here.

This place was often mentioned by poets and writers of past centuries who spent time here. Only 150 years later, at the end of the last century, the government of Georgia decided to establish a ski resort here. In 1982, the first hotels for tourists and ski slopes began to be built here. But after the collapse of the USSR, the development of the ski resort was suspended, and only 6 years later, in 1997, the improvement works resumed.

In some sources, you may find statements that Gudauri is the youngest resort. In fact, this is not quite true — the development of sports tourism in this region began back in the Soviet period, in the mid-1970s. The first cable car in Gudauri was built in the late 1980s. Today there are 14 lifts, most of them equipped with Austrian-made equipment.

For almost 100 years, an old post office building stood on the site of today’s resort; at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, it served as a shelter for travelers going from Russia to Georgia. In the 1980s, it was decided to build another ski zone in Georgia after Bakuriani. Gudauri’s natural conditions were recognized as suitable for a winter resort — slopes with the incline necessary for skiing, as well as abundant and long-lasting snow cover. The decisive factor was its proximity to the capital and the main transport route.

Since 1980, Gudauri has gradually developed the infrastructure necessary for mountain resorts. Initially, only a ski school operated here, but the collapse of the Soviet system contributed to attracting foreign, especially Austrian, investments. As a result, the first hotel was built, a cable car was installed, and in 1988 the resort was officially opened. The first comfortable hotel for tourists opened in 1998.

Gudauri Ski Resort

Fans of extreme sports can improve their “qualification” in Gudauri — there is a speedriding school here, and it is possible to gain a lot of new impressions. Descending untouched mountain slopes — heli-skiing — is also practiced in Gudauri. For beginner skiers, the snowboard and alpine skiing school will be of interest. Snow lies on the local slopes from December to April, the air is dry and clean, and the total length of the ski slopes is more than 75 km.

If you have ever had the desire or dream to learn how to fly a paraglider, in Gudauri you can find a qualified instructor who will teach you how to fly.

As befits a modern ski resort, Gudauri has comfortable and cozy hotels. Tourists’ safety is monitored by ski patrols.

Climate and Weather

The Gudauri resort is located at an altitude of more than 2,000 meters above sea level, yet the weather conditions are quite favorable. The weather here is clear and warm. The relief of the resort is mountainous, and the climate is moderately humid, typical of high mountains.

Winter here is cold and dry, with a high snow cover. The average temperature in January is -6°C.

Summer at the resort is cool, with an average temperature in August of +13°C.

The annual precipitation is about 1,000 mm, and the annual duration of sunshine is about 2,000 hours.

When does the winter season begin?

The ski season in Gudauri starts at the end of December and lasts until April, making it an ideal time for winter activities. On the ski resort, the slopes officially open every year on December 15, if the weather allows. By this date, there is usually at least 1.5 meters of snow accumulated, and the daytime temperature varies between -5 and -7°C. The coldest months are late January and February, when nighttime temperatures can drop to -20°C.

In the last month of winter, heavy snowfalls sometimes occur, which can cause the slopes to be temporarily closed. With the arrival of spring, frosts weaken to -8°C, and by the middle of the season the daytime temperature reaches from 0°C to +30°C, providing comfortable conditions for skiing. The end of April usually marks the end of the season, when there is still enough snow for skiing.

Gudauri offers a variety of winter sports: skiing, snowboarding, regular sledding, and freeride. Beginners are advised to use the services of instructors for training. The peak attendance period at the resort falls between December 15 and March 31, but in favorable weather conditions skiing is possible until April 30.

Gudauri as a Summer Climate Resort

Gudauri is known not only as a winter resort, but also as a wonderful place for summer holidays. In summer, many activities are offered here: horse riding, downhill biking, paragliding, as well as rafting on a mountain river, which gives extreme emotions. In addition to active recreation, you can relax in a bathhouse or sauna, visit the spa salons in some hotels, where passes for various procedures are offered.

For lovers of culture and history, there are several churches and temples on the territory of the resort, and visiting them will allow you to learn more about the culture and history of the country. In addition, Gudauri offers local wine tasting, which is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the winemaking traditions of the region.

A summer holiday in Gudauri is an opportunity to get unforgettable impressions from the picturesque nature and magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. This resort is ideal for those looking for a unique combination of active leisure, cultural visits, and relaxation in a comfortable setting.

• Location: foothill slopes of the western part of the Trialeti Range, at the foot of the Gudamakari and Lomisi Ranges
• Distance: 120 km from Tbilisi
• Altitude above sea level: 2190-2200 m
• Relief: mountainous
• Climate: moderately humid, typical of high mountains. Winter is cold, dry, with a high snow cover. Average January temperature is -6°C. Summer is cool. Average August temperature is 13°
• Average annual precipitation: 1000 mm
• Annual duration of sunshine: 2000 hours
• Natural healing factors: climate of the upper belt of middle mountains
• Types of treatment: internal intake of mineral waters, mineral water baths, and passive climatotherapy
• Medical indications: bronchial asthma, bronchitis, iron-deficiency anemia

Where is it located?

Gudauri is a high-mountain ski resort in Georgia, located on the slopes of Mount Kudebi (3006 m) and Mount Sadzele (3007 m) in the alpine zone, as well as on the foothill slopes of the western part of the Trialeti Range, at the foot of the Gudamakari and Lomisi Ranges. The resort is located on the Jvari Pass, on the 120th kilometer of the Georgian Military Road, in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, in the Kazbegi Municipality.

Gudauri stands out for its unique location: it is situated at an altitude of 2190-2200 meters above sea level, and at an altitude of 2150 meters on the slope of the Greater Caucasus Range there is a small village that is part of the resort. The resort is 120 km away from the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, and is the highest ski resort in the country.

Gudauri Resort on the Map

How to Get to Gudauri

You can reach the ski resort of Gudauri in different ways, depending on where you are coming from. The distance from Tbilisi is 120 km, from Kutaisi — 290 km, and from Batumi — 425 km, although from Batumi you first need to get to Tbilisi. From Tbilisi, Vladikavkaz, and Kutaisi, Gudauri can be reached by land transport.

From Tbilisi:

• Ways to travel: taxi and minibuses.
• Additional information: Near Tbilisi Airport there is Didube bus station, from where direct buses to Gudauri depart.

From Batumi:

• Ways to travel: To get from Batumi to Tbilisi, you can use different types of transport (bus, train, minibuses, transfer), and then continue from Tbilisi to Gudauri.

From Kutaisi:

• Ways to travel: Direct minibuses (not very frequent), or a transfer in Tbilisi and then continue on to Gudauri.

From Russia to Gudauri:

• Best route: Fly to Vladikavkaz, then travel by car to Gudauri.
• Distance from Vladikavkaz to Gudauri: about 70 km.
• Route features: A high-mountain serpentine road with sharp turns, travel time is about 2–2.5 hours.

General travel information for Gudauri:

In winter, studded tires are necessary on the roads.
Some sections of the Georgian Military Road may be temporarily closed due to the threat of snow avalanches.
Car rental services are available at Tbilisi Airport (an international driving license and passport are required; insurance is included in the rental).

Summer visit

In addition to winter skiing, you can also have a wonderful time here in summer. Among the many activities, you can enjoy horseback riding, downhill biking, paragliding, relaxing in a bathhouse or sauna, and wine tasting.

Some hotels also offer spa passes, where you can relax and unwind. Visiting Gudauri in summer gives everyone plenty of unforgettable impressions thanks to the nature and the stunning views all around.

How to get there

From Tbilisi, Vladikavkaz, and Kutaisi, you can get here by land transport. From Tbilisi, you can travel by taxi or minibus. There are also direct minibuses from Kutaisi to Gudauri, but not very often. It is more convenient to travel from Kutaisi to Tbilisi first and then go directly to the resort from there.

If you are traveling from Moscow, the most convenient option is to fly to Vladikavkaz and then continue by road to Gudauri (about 70 km).

Anyone who once visits Gudauri in winter, skis or snowboards, breathes in the clean mountain air, and admires the mesmerizing beauty all around will remember these places forever, and bright memories will remain in their soul.

The resort is chosen; what is left is getting there and filling the day when the lifts close because of wind.

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