4 Best Georgia Ski Resorts

Georgia Starts Here Team
December 20, 2023
18:00

Georgia has become a budget-friendly ski destination for the past several years. With its high slopes and powder snow, Georgia attracts many winter tourists. There are six ski resorts in Georgia where you can go skiing or snowboarding. Therefore, we present the ultimate guide to Georgia ski resorts for you to choose the best location for your next holiday.

Gudauri

Photo Source: POMA

Gudauri is the most famous ski resort in Georgia because of its proximity to the capital, high altitude, and maximum exposure to the sun. The drive takes around two hours and passes through Georgian Military Highway, which also offers many exciting attractions.

Located in the heart of the Caucasus Mountains at an altitude of 2,200m (7,218ft) above sea level, it offers downhill skiing up to 4,200m (13,779ft) and the finest powder in Europe.

Gudauri is an ideal place for freeriding based on its avalanche risk, absence of rocks, and deep snow. This Georgian ski resort has trails for any level skiers and offers four types of runs: slalom, giant slalom, super slalom, and speed skiing.

For heliski lovers, Gudauri is the best destination to enjoy the most challenging and extreme skiing in Georgia. Night skiing is also available on weekends.

Every season, Gudauri ski resort improves trails and its rope-way.

Season: December to April. [However, note that the closing date varies from year to year].
Altitude: 2,196 – 3,276 (Sadzele)
Slopes: 80km – 30% blue slopes, 40% red slopes, 30% black slopes
11 Lifts: 4 lifts, 7 chairlifts, 4 drag lifts.
Night Skiing: Friday – Saturday 8p.m -10p.m
Skipass price per day: Adult 50₾, Youth 25₾, Free for children under 6
Where to stay: Marco Polo Hotel or Marco Polo Apartments, New Gudauri Lofts & Blocks, Quadrum Hotel, Hotel Rooms Kazbegi.
Additional activities: Paragliding, a helicopter tour, tobogganing

Bakuriani

Photo Source: Snow Forecast

Bakuriani, located near Borjomi, is another place you can go skiing in Georgia. It is regarded as a perfect holiday destination for families with children. At the elevation of 1,700 meters above sea level, Bakuriani is surrounded by coniferous forests, making it a beautiful summer and winter resort. The air is freshest here, so it’s also beneficial for the health.

The resort boasts long sunshine, approximately 2052 hours a year, and long snowy winter until March. On average, snow cover here reaches 64 cm. The resort also has ski runs for level skiers, from 25 meters for kids to Didveli and Tatra for professionals and advanced professionals.

The most attractive fact of Bakuriani is the forest around these ski slopes; therefore, powder lovers can enjoy the best less discoverable trails.

And if you are an adventurous skier, try Mitarbi slopes at 2,300m above sea level, 4 km away from Bakuriani. It is one of the most beautiful Georgia ski resort.

Advanced skiers can enjoy three new ski lifts and challenging slopes. It’s not recommended for beginners, but risk takers, speed, and extreme lovers welcome on board.

Bakuriani is also full of entertaining options starting from snowmobiles, parks, horses, etc. Night skiing is available during weekends only and only on the Didveli slope.

There are many hotels, hostels, and apartments for rent, mostly family guest houses with healthy, local food. The price per night per person can be as low as 15 USD. More fancy hotels cost around 50 USD per person.

Season: December to April.
Altitude: 1,700- 2,702 (Didveli)
Slopes: 45 km – 50% blue slopes, 30% red slopes, 20% black slopes
Lifts: Didveli 5 (gondola, chairlift, funicular (for panoramic views), and t-bars); Kokhta 5 (chairlift, t-bar); Tatra 1 t-bar, twenty-five 4 t-bars.
Night Skiing: Yes, on the Didveli slope
Skipass price per day: Adult 40₾, Youth 25₾, Free for children under 6
Where to stay: Crystal Resindence, Rooms Hotel Kokhta, Bakuriani Panorama By Mgzavrebi, My House in Bakuriani
Additional activities: tobogganing, parks for kids, sleds, and horse riding

Mestia

Photo Source: Sakura Travel Agency

The central town of Upper Svaneti, Mestia, is another excellent Georgia ski resort. Its remote villages and medieval defense towers make Mestia truly beautiful and unique all year round. Here, you can enjoy two ski resorts – Tetnuldi and Hatsvali. The latter is for beginners and intermediate skiers, while Tetnuldi is for anyone.

Mestia and the 132 villages in Mestia District create the highest populated area in Georgia, with Ushguli listed among the 50 highest populated cities worldwide.

Pine forest covers the resort and is the best place for those who enjoy Glade Skiing. The restaurant on top of the lift in Hatsvali offers fantastic views of mount Ushba. Once you make your way to Svaneti, don’t forget to go on sightseeing and indulge in its cuisine.

Mestia has a wide-open ski resort with frequent fresh powder. Even if there’s no snow in other resorts, you can always enjoy skiing in Mestia; it seldom has a deficit of snow.

The resort is pretty wild and beautiful. Not as well developed as Gudauri or Bakuriani, but it still attracts people, especially tourists who want to enjoy breathtaking views.

Transportation is the main problem since public transport needs 8-10 hours to get to Mestia. Direct flights are available from Tbilisi (Natakhtari) and Kutaisi for around 35-25 USD, respectfully.

Season: December to May.
Altitude: 2,265 – 3,160 (Tetnuldi)
Slopes: 30 km – 30% blue slopes, 40% red slopes, 30% black slopes
Lifts: Tetnuldi 5 (chairlifts and drag lifts), Hatsvali 2 (chairlifts)
Night Skiing: no
Skipass price per day: Adult 40₾, Youth 25₾, Free for children under 6
Where to stay: Hotel Old House, Villa Mestia, Mountain Cabins, Chalet Mestia, Wooden Huts in Mestia, Bude Mestia Cottages.
Additional activities: steep skiing, Svaneti Ethnographic Museum, Khergiani Museum, Ushguli community.

Goderdzi

Photo Source: Georgian Journal

Goderdzi is a relatively new addition to ski resorts in Georgia. Located in the Adjara region, at an altitude of 2,000 meters, it boasts unique nature, beautiful landscapes, and fresh air. It is within a two hours drive from the popular seaside resort – Batumi.

Here, you’ll find two cable lines with 8 km long tracks. It is a three-season mountain resort at 2,000m (6,560ft). Snow remains from November to April. In summer, hiking, horseback riding, and paragliding are other activities to enjoy. You can also try local mineral spring waters and visit its fossil forest – one of the unique ones in the world.

The wilderness of the resort offers its visitors unique experiences, fresh air, and world-class scenery.