All ski resorts in Georgia with descriptions and photos. Winter season in Georgia: where to ski, active recreation in the mountains, ski slopes.
Do you like active holidays in the mountains? Not yet tried the ski slopes of Georgia? Read our article about the best winter resorts in the country. We tell you about the climate, conditions, slopes, elevators, entertainment and more. The resorts are located in different parts of the country, and each has its own special features. Choose the best one for you!
Rest at the ski resorts of Georgia⬇️
General characteristics of resorts
Bakuriani
The oldest ski resort in Georgia on the northern slopes of the Trialet Range. Climate an…
Gudauri
Modern ski resort on the southern slopes of the Great Caucasus Range. Slopes and elevato…
Goderzee
Young ski resort on the Goderdzi Pass in Adjara, Georgia. Trails Accommodation How to …
Svaneti: Tetnuldi and Khatsvali
Tetnuldi and Hatzvali are actively developing ski resorts in the Mestia region. Slopes a…
Georgia is a striking country, quite small in area, but offers many recreational options. In summer - the beaches and the sea, all year round - resorts and mineral water treatment. And in winter - alpine skiing and other mountain recreation options.
Today we will talk about ski resorts in Georgia.
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General characteristics of Georgian resorts
In Georgia there are only 5 ski resorts, they are located in different parts of the country with different weather conditions and national colors. The resorts differ in their popularity, equipment and level of service, and, accordingly, in the cost of recreation.
The closest resorts to Tbilisi are Gudauri and Bakuriani. By regions of the country the resorts are located as follows:
- in the center is Bakuriani;
- in the north of Georgia is Gudauri;
- mysterious Svaneti - Tetnuldi and Khatsvali;
- in Adjara, close to the sea - Goderzi.
Holiday season on the slopes of the country begins in November and ends in April. But this is a general characteristic. The terms of comfortable skiing are influenced by the area where the resort is located and the weather conditions.
Peak season is considered the period from December to March. Especially many Russian skiers come on New Year's vacations and public holidays on February 23 and March 8.
On the slopes of Georgia you can ski, snowboard and sled. Georgian ski slopes are already well known to fans of winter outdoor activities.
Resorts are being developed, completed, everything is being done to make the level of recreation not lower than in Europe. After all, tourism in Georgia is one of the main directions of replenishing the state budget.
The payment is made in national currency - lari (GEL). Sometimes private individuals accept dollars: for accommodation, individual tours or cab services.
You can track the current exchange rate of GEL against other currencies in Georgia at www.rico.ge. There is also a calculator that allows you to calculate how much GEL you can get for a certain amount of rubles, dollars, etc.
| DOLL. U.S. | EURO | RUR | |
| BUY | 3.2400 | 3.7690 | 0.0399 |
| SELL | 3.2500 | 3.7840 | 0.0419 |
Calculator
200 dollars = 649 lari
200 euro = 755 lari
1591 rubles (≈ $20) = 63,48 lari
1853 rubles (≈ 20 €) = 73,93 lari
Bakuriani
This is the oldest ski resort in Georgia. It is the most developed, the conditions of accommodation and recreation attract a large number of tourists here every year. There are conditions for family vacations.
The resort is located on the northern slopes of Trialeti range in Borjomi gorge. The beauty of surrounding nature fascinates simply. And the cleanest mountain air promotes health improvement.
Climate and weather in winter
Bakuriani is surrounded by mountain ranges. Therefore, cyclones carrying winds do not penetrate here. The temperature in winter days rarely falls below - 8 °. The snow cover is about 60 cm. The number of cloudy and sunny days is about equal.
Living conditions
There are many small hotels, there is a hotel 4 ⃰⃰⃰, quite European level. Catering is offered: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Residents of the complex use the library, tennis courts and skating rinks. In the evening, after recreation, you can sit in a cafe, get acquainted with the national cuisine, enjoy Georgian wine.
Slopes and elevators
There are slopes of varying complexity, suitable for everyone: beginners skiers, and experienced masters.
For beginners there are "green" short slopes "Plateau" with gentle slopes and lower part of "Didveli". Beginners in snowboarding also perfect their skills here.
For experienced skiers suit "blue" and "red" - "Kokhta-1", "Kokhta-2", the upper part of "Didveli" (lit until 22:00).
"The blacks" are the place for the super masters. At the beginning of the track "Kokhta-1" the slope is 52°, the length is 400 m. On the recently opened track "Mitarbi" there are difficult sections with altitude differences.
Skiers may use 45, 70 and 90-meter jumps.
Skiing equipment rentals are available here. Beginners can train with a professional trainer.
Elevators
- For children the rope tow elevators are more convenient, there are 4 such elevators in Bakuriani.
- Cableway "Tatra" gondola type, its length is 1600 m.
- Chairlift two-seater.
Ski pass
Children under 6 years old use the elevators for free, from 6 to 16 years old - with a discount.
You can buy a ticket for just one lift for 7 GEL (season 2019-2020) or a day pass - 20-40.
Prices vary, during peak periods they go up.
Entertainment outside the ski slopes
- toboggan slopes;
- for fans of cross-country skiing - the track is 1350 m. long, the ascent to 2780 m;
- snowmobile and snowmobile riding;
- paragliders, jeeping;
- horseback riding and hiking in the summer.
Attractions
Bakuriani has many interesting places and historical monuments. Here it is easy to combine active rest on the mountain slopes and a cultural program.
What to see in the vicinity of Bakuriani:
- Vardzia cave monastery;
- Timotesubani temple;
- Tabatskuri Lake among the mountains;
- Bakurianitskali Gorge;
- City of Borjomi and narrow-gauge railroad.
How to get here
The distance from Tbilisi to Bakuriani is 180 km. Transport connection is well developed: there are trains from Tbilisi to Bakuriani, from Didube metro station there are buses, marshrutkas and cabs.
You can first go to Borjomi, and then 16 km to Bakuriani on narrow-gauge railway, which itself is an attraction.
Gudauri
One of the most popular and modern ski resorts in Georgia is located on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Range. The village of Upper Gudauri is located at an altitude of 2,196 meters above sea level.
Here come just to ski, and most often young people gather.
Slopes and elevators
The total length of 23 ski tracks is about 60 km. Mountain slopes are safe for athletes of different level of training.
There are comfortable conditions for the beginners - convenient slopes and instructors who speak Russian and English.
There are "blue" and "red" slopes for more experienced skiers.
There are rental shops, the equipment costs from 25 GEL per day.
Local slopes are attractive for extreme skiers:
- freeride - skiing on the snowy ground, there is a freeride school;
- heli-skiing - a helicopter takes skiers to the top.
In Gudauri you can go paragliding, snowmobiling, and snowboarding.
Elevators
They were built by the Austrians, who are considered super-professional in the arrangement of ski resorts, so there is no reason to doubt the safety.
The lower station of the ropeway is located at an altitude of 1990 meters and the upper station at 3258 meters (Western Sadzele mountain). In bad weather (clouds and fog) the upper stations do not work.
Elevators are mostly chairlifts, 3-6 local. But there is also a gondola route, the cabin holds 10 people. For children and beginner skiers the rope tow elevators and tape elevators are available.
The cost of a ski pass for 1 day - from 30 GEL, just to go up, without skis and snowboard - 7-8.
Lodging and infrastructure
The choice of accommodation is large: guest houses, private sector, chalets and hotels. Many of them are located near the elevators.
The village has a gas station, pharmacy, stores, restaurants and cafes, SWA salons, saunas, bowling and karaoke. For families with children are offered babysitting services, there is a kindergarten.
But there are no interesting attractions in Gudauri. You can make a trip to Mtskheta, to the fortress of Ananuri. But all of them are at a considerable distance - 55-72 km.
How to get there
Gudauri is located on the Georgian Military Road, which creates certain difficulties - in bad weather the road is closed.
Distance to the capital of the country - 120 km, every 2 hours there is a shuttle bus (Metro Didube). You will be there in about 2 hours, the cost is 10 GEL.
Goderdzi
The resort opened only in 2016, but it is already becoming popular with fans of active winter holidays. It is possible to combine recreation in the mountains and at the seaside.
The snow cover reaches a height of up to 2 m.
Trails and elevators
The total length of the tracks is 13 kilometers, the longest of which is 7 meters, of "blue" degree of complexity.
Recreationists are served by 1 ropeway that is 4 km long. One station is for amateur skaters, and the second is for more experienced ones.
There are all conditions for extreme freeriders, fans of free riding on the snowy ground.
Accommodation, infrastructure
There is a hotel and 6 cottages near the elevators, meals are charged separately. The villagers of Danitsparauli, 8 km away from Goderdzi, offer accommodation in the private sector.
There are no stores in the resort yet, you have to buy food in neighboring villages or towns, perhaps on your way when you go to Goderdzi.
How to get there
- There are no shuttles or buses from the nearest town Batumi to Goderdzi. You can go to Hulo, then take a cab.
- Transfer from Batumi or other city.
- Personal or rented car. The route is better to lay and study in advance.
It will take 7 hours to travel from Tbilisi, 4 hours from Kutaisi, and 2 hours from Batumi.
Upper Svaneti: Tetnuldi and Khatsvali
In northwest Georgia is Svaneti, a distinctive region where pristine nature has been preserved. These places are far from the center of the country and are often difficult to reach. The locals are very hospitable.
In Mestia region there are 2 ski resorts at once:
- Hatswali is older (2011), but less developed so far;
- Tetnuldi opened in 2016 and is rapidly developing, it is planned to equip new 16 slopes, to build hotels.
It is better to come here between December and March. The resorts are distinguished by a high level of service and low prices.
Tetnuldi
Skiing conditions
There are 3 levels of complexity in Tetnuldi: for beginners, amateur and professional skiers, the level difference is up to 900 meters. There are 4 elevators.
There are places for freeride skiing, many slopes are not groomed by snowmobiles and are virgin snow.
Rent only skis.
Lodging and infrastructure
Vacationers are placed in Mestia village. Here are hotels (from 30 GEL), guesthouses, private sector (10-30 GEL). Breakfast is charged separately.
For transportation to the elevators you can order a shuttle service, a car with a driver for the whole day will cost you 95-100 GEL.
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Hatzwali
The ski slopes here are illuminated at night. They vary in difficulty:
- The green one is 300 meters long;
- "blue" - 2.5 km;
- "red" - 2600 m.
Holidaymakers while a little, even in the peak season.
The cost of a personal trainer (snowboarding and alpine skiing) is 20 GEL per hour.
There are all conditions for free-riders in Hatzvali. Backcountry and skitur, that is hiking up to the summit, descending over rugged terrain with altitude differences, are developed.
Three elevators work here: one is a chair lift and two are rope tow elevators. The price for a ski pass starts at GEL 20. The cableway also serves tourists in the summer, it is used by fans of hiking in the mountains.
Rental shops provide skiing and snowboarding equipment and facilities.
Accommodation
There is a cottage next to the elevator that can accommodate up to 16 people. Most of the holidaymakers live in Mestia.
How to get here
The distance from Tbilisi to Mestia is 470 km. They can be overcome in several ways.
- Train to Zugdidi (by night, travel about 8 hours), then a shuttle bus to Mestia. The fare by train is 9-30 GEL. Bus 20-25 lari.
- Bus from Didube subway station takes 8-9 hours, the cost is 40 lari per person.
- Cab will cost 400-450 lari per car, travel time is about 8 hours.
- The plane from Tbilisi (Natakhtari) does not fly every day, the schedule needs to be clarified on the day of departure. Flight costs 90 lari, takes 45 minutes. From Queen Tamara Airport and to the center of Mestia, the trip takes about 3 hours.
- A rented car will cost about 90$.
Each of the above-mentioned resorts in mountain Georgia can be the best for you. When choosing a place to stay, pay attention to the conditions of accommodation and skiing, infrastructure development, and additional options.
And do not forget to take out ski insurance!
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Я для себя уже сделала заметки, куда пойду этой зимой!
Меня очаровал Бакуриани, даже тем что Пик начинается с февраля, очень удобно, когда уже закончились Новогодние праздники, основные дела сделаны, теперь можно с легкой душой отдохнуть.
Много мест для фотосессии: храмы, озеро, ущелья, любители активных отдыхов точно оценят, парапланы, джиппинг, катание на снегоходах, и не мало важно где остановится, отель европейского уровня с библиотекой думаю не оценить не возможно!!!
О Гудаури у меня сложилось впечатлении, что это место для отдыха спокойных людей.
Годердзи это место я тоже для себя отмечу, если там действительно малолюдно, потому как в шумном городе о очень устаю от людей. И плюс к всему дикие скалы, перевалы – это, что-то мое. Ну и минус большой, что нет магазинов, ну и сразу плюс небольшой бюджет.
Верхняя сванетия: Тетнулди и Хацвали – там в далеком детстве я была, ну особо ничего не помню, считаю местом для людей которые загорелись, из этой статьи точно можно загореться поехать туда, как я загорелась Букуриани.