Skiing in Gudauri Georgia; A Complete Guide 2024

Hello Gudauri! I have just got back from an epic 5 days skiing in Gudauri Georgia. And it would be an understatement to say the trip was amazing, this was one of my all-time top ski trips.

You may well ask why it was such an amazing trip? Well, Gudauri offers a such a good variety of ski runs catering to all levels of skiers.  We were a group of 35 and a total mix of abilities and requirements. 

There are gentle slopes for beginners, challenging black runs for experienced skiers, and off-piste areas for the more adventurous. There were great hiking opportunities for non-skiers and heli-skiing for the daredevils!

And wait for it. Gudauri ski resort also features a terrain park for freestyle skiing and snowboarding, as well as opportunities for backcountry skiing!

And let’s be clear before we get started, Gudauri is one of the most affordable places to ski in Europe.

Photo below: one of the first runs of the day, a freshly groomed piste. Pure perfection!

Gudauri Ski Resort Key Facts

Gudauri is north from Tbilisi, nestled in the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range, it is super accessible.

I’ve always been jealous of cities that have skiing right on their doorstep, and Tbilisi is just that. The down side being that the slopes are busier at the weekends, but during the week you feel as though you have the rich powder slopes all to yourself.

Gudauri ski resort has 4 gondolas and 10 chairlifts, taking you 2000 metres above sea level. There are 75km of trails, most of them are above the tree line, with the highest ski lift being 3279 meters at the top of Mount Kudebi.

And most importantly to me anyway is that the majority of their hotels are ski-in-ski-out! There is nothing better than skiing right back to your hotel.

How to Get to Gudauri Georgia?

My Flight from UK had a stopover via Istanbul, however exciting news hot off the press there is a new direct flight launching with ‘Air Iveria’ from London Gatwick to Tbilisi, 3 flights per week. I expect other airlines will follow before the end of the year, so watch this space!

Our ski resort Gudauri is located about 2 hours’ drive from the capital city of Tbilisi. You can easily hire a taxi or take a shared minivan.

I recommend this transfer from Tbilisi, which is convenient, comfortable, and reasonably priced.

Gudauri Ski Season

The ski season in Gudauri typically runs from December to April, as with most European resort the peak season is from January to March. There was plenty of snow when we went in February.

Gudauri Lift passes

Lift passes can be purchased at the ticket counter at the base of the ski resort. There are many options for day passes, multi-day passes, and season passes, so you can choose the best option for your skiing schedule.

Passes can start from as little as €8 per day, how good is that? But only when buying for multiple days, but single days at a time you are looking at €20-25, still very reasonable.

Things I liked about Gudauri Ski Resort

OK let’s crack on with some of my favourite things about Gudauri…

• One of the most affordable places to ski in Europe
• No queues for the lifts (got busier at the weekend)
• Friendly vibe
• Close to Tbilisi
• Food and lunch spots
• Beautiful scenery
• Clear slopes
• Dogs on the slopes!!
• You can also see a lot of the ski resort on foot
• Ski in Ski out for most hotels

The Kobi Pass at Gudauri

Everyone’s favourite run was the Kobi Pass.

You take two gondolas to the other side of the resort and the views were unbelievable. To cap that, there’s a gorgeous blue run which we had totally to ourselves. Even the people in our group that were not skiing were able to see it all on foot!

Apres Ski in Gudauri

The resort village of Gudauri and New Gudauri has a lively après-ski scene, with bars, restaurants, and nightclubs offering a range of dining and entertainment options for visitors.

We particularly liked Escape Bar at the top of the Pirveli chair, with our hotel situated at the bottom of the lift we could easily ski back down at night. This is not necessarily the safest in the dark, so I recommend you only do it If you’re a competent skier. But great fun and a great topic of conversation the next morning at breakfast.

Another great evening was spent in the Black Dog in New Gudauri, which had a fantastic party atmosphere. We found Mix bar on the last day; it is right in the middle of the main village after the first gondola.

A final mention for La suite, another fun bar!

Where to Stay in Gudauri

Gudauri offers a range of accommodation options, including hotels, guesthouses, and chalets, with options to suit every budget.

Luxury: Marco Polo Hotel

I stayed at the Marco Polo hotel – It is a great option with a good hearty breakfast. Their ski hire is run by a cool guy called Irakli, and he promised me that he will give you a discount if you say you read Scott’s article.

Marco Polo hotel has 4 bowling alleys in the hotel which is a great bonus and a lot of fun, along with a pool and sauna. But for me the absolute best part is the ski-in-ski-out. Anyone who has been skiing knows how tedious hiking across town or getting on buses with skis and boots can be.

Another bonus is being at the bottom of Pirveli chair lift making it a perfect location.

Mid-Range: Gudauri Inn

Looking for a cool and affordable place to crash after enjoying the slopes in Gudauri? Gudauri Inn is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the main ski lift, Gudauri Elevator 1. You can chill on the terrace, grab bites at the onsite restaurant, and never worry about parking—it’s free!

Each room here is like a mini-retreat, with a flat-screen TV to binge-watch your favorites and super comfy seating areas to just veg out. The private bathrooms have showers, slippers, all the freebies to keep you fresh, and a hairdryer too.

And for a unique adventure who live for the adventure, get ready to dive into skiing, horse riding, or cycling right outside your door.

Budget: Tsar Bani Spa Resort

All about that spa life and soaking in the chill vibes of Gudauri? Tsar Bani Spa Resort is your go-to!

Located just a cozy walk away from the GoodAura Ski Elevator and Gudauri Elevator 1, you’re right in the middle of the action. It’s the perfect spot for couples travelling on a budget while enjoying life.

So, whether you’re here to hit the slopes or just relax, Tsar Bani has that laid-back treatment you’re looking for.

Traverse 2024 in Georgia

This trip was part of the amazing Traverse 2024 conference in Tbilisi, where I was one of 200 content creators meeting to network, learn and explore. After that a group of 35 of us joined a post-conference trip. That was skiing in Gudauri ski resort.

If you’re curious about traverse drop me a message on Instagram or the link below, from a content creator or destination point of view.

Conclusion

Overall, Gudauri offers a fantastically unique and totally affordable skiing experience in the stunning Caucasus Mountain range. 

I was blown away with just how good a resort this was. It has everything to make it a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders who are seeking adventure and excitement on the slopes, and it’s totally affordable. 

The Kobi pass has some of the most stunning scenery to be found anywhere, but the absolute icing on the cake for me is that most of the hotels have the ski in and ski out facility.  All in all, an awesome resort that should be on your Europe skiing bucket list.

Photos above by Michael Tomas (London Viewpoints)