Gudauri Ski Resort

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Gudauri ski resort, Georgia.
Gudauri ski resort, Georgia.
Ski powder at Gudauri. (Photo: The Adventure Project)
Ski powder at Gudauri. (Photo: The Adventure Project)
Awesome freeride terrain Gudauri Georgia (photo: The Adventure Project)
Awesome freeride terrain Gudauri Georgia (photo: The Adventure Project)
Pewking at Gudauri ski resort.
Pewking at Gudauri ski resort.
Gudauri ski resort upper mountain gondolas provide unparalleled backcountry access
Gudauri ski resort upper mountain gondolas provide unparalleled backcountry access
Gudauri ski terrain
Gudauri ski terrain
Gudauri Hotel Loft, ski-in ski-out accommodation
Gudauri Hotel Loft, ski-in ski-out accommodation
Gudauri Hotel Loft standard room
Gudauri Hotel Loft standard room
Gudauri Hotel Loft swimming pool
Gudauri Hotel Loft swimming pool
Ski Gudauri Georgia
Ski Gudauri Georgia
Ski Powder at Gudauri (photo: Vagabond Adventures)
Ski Powder at Gudauri (photo: Vagabond Adventures)
Gudauri ski terrain
Gudauri ski terrain
Upper mountain ski lifts at Gudauri Georgia
Upper mountain ski lifts at Gudauri Georgia
The new Gudauri ski base lodges & hotels
The new Gudauri ski base lodges & hotels
Gudauri ski trail map
Gudauri ski trail map
Gudauri powder skiing (Photo: Gudauri Travel)
Gudauri powder skiing (Photo: Gudauri Travel)
Gudauri ski resort Georgia
Gudauri ski resort Georgia
Gudauri ski resort Georgia (photo: The Adventure Project)
Gudauri ski resort Georgia (photo: The Adventure Project)
Ski & snowboard Gudauri (photo: The Adventure Project)
Ski & snowboard Gudauri (photo: The Adventure Project)

Gudauri Ski Resort

Readers Ratings

Gudauri

Gudauri3/55
Gudauri3 out of 5 based on 5 reviews
  • Recommend
    80%
  • Would Revisit
    80%
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Wagner Custome Skis

Georgia Skiing

Adjara & Bakhmaro
Bakuriani
Goderdzi
Gudauri
Hatsvali
Tetnuldi

Gudauri Maps & Stats

    Gudauri Ski Trail Map
  • Gudauri Ski Trail Map
  • Vertical (m)
    1,973m - 3,276m (1,303m)
  • Average Snow Fall
    Unknown
  • Lifts (15)
    4 Gondolas
    7 Chairs
  • Opening Dates & Times
    December to end April
    10:00am to 5:00pm (on a good day!)
  • Terrain Summary
    Runs - 35km
    Longest run - 7km+
    Advanced - 30%
    Intermediate - 60%
    Beginner - 10%
  • Lift Pass Price
    Day Ticket 22/23
    Adult - 70GEL (approx. €25)
    Child - 35GEL (approx. €12.50)
    Child u/6yr - Free

    Season Pass (valid in Gudauri, Goderdzi, Bakuriani & Mestia)
    Adult - 650GEL (approx. €230)
    Child - 325GEL (approx. €115)

Gudauri Ski Resort

Gudauri is the largest ski 'resort' in Georgia. Located near Europe's highest peaks in the Greater Caucasus mountains, Gudauri provides superb backcountry skiing in serious mountains.

Georgian culture and food add to what is already a fascinating ski destination. Whilst accurate information about Gudauri can be surprisingly hard to come by, we checked it all out in February 2023 and sorted the truth from the embellishments & lies! What we discovered was a ski area that promises alot but delivers only marginally.

Pros & Cons for Gudauri Ski Resort

Pros

  • High elevation ski area with generally cold temperatures.
  • Relatively modern lift infrastructure.
  • Long skiable vertical (over 1,300m+)(if every lift is running).
  • Lifted access to sensational backcountry freeride powder lines.
  • Affordable ski lift tickets.
  • Fantastic backcountry terrain and ski-touring opportunities.
  • Fabulous food & wine.
  • Culturally, Georgia is an intriguing country to visit - more than just skiing.

Cons

  • Only a few days’ worth of interest for anyone stuck on the groomed piste trails.
  • Lift opening times may be more of a guide than set in stone which is incredibly frustrating!
  • The important upper mountain Sadzele chairlift rarely operates.
  • Piste grooming often not up to standard.
  • All terrain is above the treeline so storm skiing can (and is) challenging.
  • Off-piste powder is increasingly sought by skiers from Western Europe and can get plundered quickly within the 'resort area'.
  • Unregulated non-ski activities like snowmobiling are a real (& concerning) hazard on the slopes.
  • Most of the accommodation is very high-priced compared to the Georgian cost of living.
  • Suffers from issues common to all Georgian ski areas: non-integrated resort infrastructure, poor sanitation, lack of up-to-date information, non-existent ski buses, rude & disinterested lift staff.

Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)

  • The ski lift/trail map is a work of fiction!
  • Ski-in ski-out accommodation available.
  • Like most places in Georgia, not easy to get on public transport.
  • Highly variable ski/snowboard instructor standards & lesson quality.
  • It is possible to eat far too much here.
  • Georgia is a fascinating country with some incredible people, but things can & do go wrong. Come here with your eyes wide-open!
  • Avalanche danger in the backcountry (or even inbounds) can be high - take care.

Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain

Gudauri has a modern lift system and reasonably priced lift passes. Four modern gondolas, & four 6-seater chairs do most of the heavy lifting. A serious lift malfunction in season 2017/18 on the Sadzele chair resulting in injuries to skiers should ensure that the safety of future patrons is paramount to the resort! The skiable vertical in the resort is well over the landmark 1,000m. The general high elevation provides quality snow conditions. The most recently installed gondolas in the upper alpine zone provide good access to backcountry freeride powder. With some boot packing & skinning, the terrain is even more vast.

Trail maps of Gudauri were notoriously out of date for a few years, but they seem to have settled on one since the last lot of lift updates. See below for the most recent version of the ski trail map for the resort. It is still highly inaccurate and fails to show the 1,000m of vertical on the backside gondola, plus the placement of trails on the map is highly questionable. Says alot about the place!

Gudauri Ski Trail Map
Gudauri Ski Trail Map

The best way to explore Gudauri and its amazing backcountry ski touring is via one of our hosted tours (see listings at the bottom of the page) or hook up with a local guide once you are there.

[AdListings Filter="Gudauri Guiding"]

Where is Gudauri Georgia?

The Gudauri ski resort is around 120km north of the capital Tbilisi. For the country’s largest ski area, it is surprising difficult for the uninitiated to get too. The closest major international airport is Tbilisi (TBS), 140km or 2½hr drive to the ski resort. We do not recommend using Kutaisi (KUT), further to the west, to access Gudauri. Use our flight search engine to book flights from major & secondary European airports.

We recommend arranging a private transfer as the best and means of travel from the Tbilisi airport to Gudauri. Your tour operator or hotel will generally assist with such arrangements, otherwise use the reliable & affordable services from the listing below.

[AdListings Filter="Gudauri Transfers"]

Anyone travelling ‘under their own steam’ & on the cheap can still organise a local taxi to make the journey, but make you agree on price before doing so. Public transport options from the airport to Gudauri are near non-existent. A train & buses connect the airport to the Tbilisi city centre from where it is possible to take a minibus (known locally as a marshrutka) to Gudauri. The marshrutka leave from a hectic bus station in Didube, which is near the subway train station of the same name. Signs on the buses tend to be in Georgian, so you will have to ask! Enjoy!

For more information about getting around the country, see our Travel to Georgia page.

Gudauri Accommodation

Gudauri has no shortage of choice & availability when it comes to accommodation. A recent building boom (some would say 'seemingly unregulated over-development'!) has seen a host of new boutique hotels & low rise, ski-in apartment complexes added to the ski area; many of which are available for rent (but do vary greatly in quality!). Further down the hill in the original part of the ski resort, more hotels dot the landscape. Many of these newer hotels do come at a higher cost, albeit for less than in western European resorts. Note that the location of accommodation is a very important factor in one’s enjoyment of the ski area. Noise, distance to the ski lifts/shops can make or break a ski holiday here. Regardless of where you stay, if you need to organise a safe, cost-effective airport transfer use the listing above.

Of the newer stock, try the Gudauri Inn, the sublime boutique offering at Ati Ambavi Hotel, the excellent Gudauri Lodge with its huge outdoor jacuzzi, or the good value, slopeside & ski-in/ski-out Gudauri Hotel Loft. Otherwise, for a prime location near the base of the lifts stay at the consistently good Marco Polo Gudauri Hotel. Further up the road is the intriguing Quadrum Hotel, but its location on the highway marks it with an asterisk for noise & accessibility to the slopes.

Older hotels & apartments plus traditional guesthouses are throughout the resort & tend to be as cheap as chips (i.e. good value).

Search & book all Gudauri ski accommodation.

[AdListings Filter="Gudauri Packages"]

Review

The Powderhounds were intending to review Gudauri in 2020, but things change & so did our plans. We did a comprehensive journey through Georgia in February & March 2023! Whilst we loved elements of skiing in Georgia, we were constantly bemused (to put it mildly) at the lack of professionalism in the ski 'resorts'. The notion that the 'emplacement of ski lifts does not a good ski resort make' are very apt in Gudauri. More information will come after some of the bitterness dissipates.... Stay tuned for our photos & insights.

See how European ski resorts compare on the Europe ski resort ratings page.

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Tours in or near Gudauri

Safari (Road Trip) Tours

Gudauri, Bakuriani & Goderdzi Ski Safari
PRIVATE FREERIDE POWDER & CAT SKIING TOUR
8 Days | 7 Nights | 5+ Ski Days
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Discover the best of Georgia on an 8-day ski safari combining three world-class ski resorts, cat-skiing & stunning landscapes, with local cuisine, culture, & history. private groups only so get your crew together & book for your best dates & duration....
Price p/p Price based on twin-share, 8-day tour with a minimum of 4 people
Base/invoice currency is in USD$ inc. taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 2,400
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See all Safari (Road Trip) tours that visit Gudauri here

Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area Tours

Gudauri Guided Freeride Day
GUIDED FREERIDE POWDER SKI TOUR
1 Day Fully Guided Skiing/Snowboarding
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
Be guided to the best snow & terrain in Gudauri ski resort with a professional local guide on this fully customised private off-piste ski tour. Use the ski lifts to be shown amazing freeride powder in Gudauri's vast off-piste terrain. Go solo or get a group together & book in for your best dates & duration....
Price p/p Based on a 1-day tour with minimum 4 people in low season (January)
Base/invoice currency is in USD inc. taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 78
View Details
 
See all Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area tours that visit Gudauri here

Single-Base, Single-Ski-Area Tours

Gudauri Georgia Ski & Ride
GUIDED SKI ADVENTURE
10 Nights | 7 Days Skiing | Gudauri & Backcountry
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Explore the resort of Gudauri & the many backcountry options in the Caucasus mountains of Georgia. A fully hosted 11-day program, with 8 nights staying at ski-in, ski-out accommodation in Gudauri, working with experienced guides.
Price p/p From price based on 10 night, twin/double-share room, min 4 guests on tour (per person)
Base/invoice currency is in USD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 3,825
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Snow & Wine Ski Tour Gudauri
SKI & WINE PACKAGE TOUR
8 Days | 7 Nights | 5 Ski Days
Ability: Beginner to Expert
Enjoy a care-free exploration of Georgia's largest ski resort, skiing at Gudauri for 4 days, then discover the world's oldest wine region on the Kakheti plains. Finish off with a full day in the fascinating Georgian capital of Tbilisi. Get your own group of 2 or more together for a fully private customised tour.
Price p/p From price based on a group of 2 people on an 8-day tour.
Base/invoice currency is in EUR, GEL or USD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 3,553
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See all Single-Base, Single-Ski-Area tours that visit Gudauri here

Backcountry Skiing Tours

Racha Backcountry Ski Tour
GUIDED SKI & SPLITBOARD BACKCOUNTRY TOUR
8 Days | 6 Nights | 7 Ski Days
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Over 8 days experience a unique journey through a remote part of Georgia. Ski/splitboard between isolated villages in the seldom-visited alpine region of Racha, exploring a vast assortment of freeride options from comfortable basecamps. Join a fixed date tour or go BIG on a long (or short) private customised tour.
Price p/p From price based on a group of 6 people on 8-day fixed date tour
Base/invoice currency is in USD inc. taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 1,500
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See all Backcountry Skiing tours that visit Gudauri here

Heli Skiing Tours

Heli Ski Kazbegi Georgia
GUIDED HELI SKIING & CULTURAL TOUR
6 Days | 5 Nights |3 Ski Days
Ability: Advanced to Expert
All inclusive heli ski & cultural tour in the Greater Caucasus of northern Georgia near Gudauri ski resort. Tour includes all meals, accommodation, 2 full days guided heliskiing, transfers & more. Private groups apply for your best dates. or join another group if there is availability.
Price p/p From price based on a group of 4 people on a 6-day tour with 2 days heliskiing.
Base/invoice currency is in EURO inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 3,648
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See all Heli Skiing tours that visit Gudauri here
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