Gudauri resort in summer, or where to look for cool climate and picturesque mountains in Georgia. Alpine skiing in Georgia - which resort to choose How to get from Tbilisi to Gudauri bus

24.07.2021

Updated 05/07/2019

The Gudauri ski resort is located in the northern part of Georgia near the border with Russia. The small village attracts tourists with smooth slopes without obstacles and long snowy winters. Gudauri stands on the slope of the main ridge of the Caucasus Mountains at an altitude of 2,196 meters. You can get here along the Georgian Military Highway directly from the capital, along the Gudauri - Tbilisi route, the distance is 135 kilometers.

Tourists go to Georgian Gudauri, first of all, for freeride and heli-skiing. But there are enough equipped trails here, and 80% of them are blue and red. Add to this special green trails for beginners, training paths, instructors and a snow park. Everything is modern and safe. It turns out that Gudauri (Georgia) is one of the best resorts in the country.

Let's see if this is so. I'll tell you about the history and current state of the resort, trails and lifts, interesting places and après-ski, weather and transport. I will not forget about comparing Gudauri or. What's better? You can decide for yourself after reading.

When planning your trip, remember what you can buy and not think about anything.

History of the Gudauri resort

For the first time, a village called Gudauri was mentioned in the 18th century in the context of the Cross Pass. However, the region with the road through the main ridge of the Caucasus Mountains got its name in 1824, when a memorial cross was erected here. Pushkin, and Lermontov, and Griboyedov, known for their love for the Caucasus, saw him. They continued to talk about Gudauri (Georgia) in the 19th century, already as a separate village.

Many scientists, writers and travelers talked about Gudauri as a settlement on one of the most important roads in the region. Alexander Dumas told in his memoirs about the Mletsky serpentine, and Mikhail Lermontov sketched the ruins on the other side of the gorge near Gudauri. The famous ethnographer Nikolai Nefediev also wrote about the village. There were still 150 years before the opening of the resort.

Alpine skiing in Gudauri appeared only in the 1970s. Until that moment, the village, together with its neighbors, was nothing remarkable - another staging post on the way from Russia to the south. But the Soviet authorities decided to open the first modern resort in Georgia, their choice fell on Gudauri.

Interestingly, the first slopes and cable cars were built in the neighboring village of Kumlistsikhe, but now no one uses them. The center has shifted to Gudauri.

Hotels began to be built on the site of the modern resort. In 1982, work on the first modern hotel was headed by Soliko Khabeishvili, head of the Georgian Central Committee. Now the hotel in Gudauri (Georgia) is still standing and is known as part of the "Marco Polo" chain. The routes were opened until the collapse of the USSR, which was followed by an unstable period. But already in 1997, the construction of hotels, lifts and slopes began again in Gudauri.

Gudauri in our time

Tourists consider the Gudauri ski resort the most modern and youthful in the country. The infrastructure is constantly updated here, the tracks are maintained at the proper level. There are not so many entertainment and après-ski activities in Gudauri, as, for example, in Bakuriani. But this is not why people come here. People come here to ride, and nothing more.

Today Gudauri has grown to one of the largest resorts in Georgia. Now there are 22 tracks with a total length of 75 kilometers. The total height difference between the lower and upper points is 1258 meters.

Longest continuous slope - 7.5 kilometers! It makes no sense to describe all the tracks in Gudauri separately - they are located nearby and are served by the same ski lifts.

The lowest station is located between Gudauri and Kumlistsikhe at an altitude of 1990 meters, and the highest is on Sadzele Western Mountain at an altitude of 3258 meters. Every day the Gudauri trails are processed by snow groomers. Some have artificial snow cars.

Cable lifts in Gudauri

For convenience, I will tell you about the sections of the tracks by difficulty levels and the lifts that work on them:

Pirveli. Cable car with 3 chairs. Raises up to from 2000 to 2150 meters, serves the lowest green track with night lighting and snow cannons.
Soliko. Cable car for 4 chairs. Rises from 2,150 to 2,670 meters, serves a number of blue slopes with gentle slopes for beginners and ski enthusiasts.
Gudaura. Gondola for 10 people. Rises from 2,160 to 2,700 meters, serves the same blue tracks as Soliko, but leads to a different upper station.
Shino. Cable car with 6 seats. Raises from 2150 to 2700 meters, serves the same section as the previous lifts. The newest cable car in the resort.
Snow Park. Cable car with 3 chairs. Rises from 2700 to 2820 meters, serves as a snow park for fans of extreme skiing and stunts.
Kudebi. Cable car with 3 chairs. Raises from 2670 meters to 2960 meters to the top of Mount Kudebi, serves red trails and freeride slopes.
Sadzele. Cable car for 4 chairs. Rises from 2770 meters to 3258 meters to the top of Sadzele West mountain, serves red and black tracks.

Drag lifts Gudauri

Also, the Gudauri ski resort in Georgia is served by short drag lifts. Bombora and Baby lift skiers from the upper lift stations of Soliko, Gudaura and Shino, and maintain special green areas for beginner skiers. Bugel Alpina works with a blue trail outside the village - especially for lovers of secluded skiing.

Separately, I will tell you about the Zuma rope and the ski area around it. This includes the green slopes of Gudauri, created especially for children and those who are skiing for the first time. Training yoke, very close to New Gudauri, between the upper station of Pirveli and the lower station of Gudauri. If you are not yet confident in your abilities, then start skating from here, and then climb the blue slopes.

Children will definitely love the tubing track with a moving track 300 meters long. This activity is located near the Zuma yoke and is completely free.

The Gudauri ski resort is otherwise suitable for families with children. There are private nannies, children's corners in restaurants and hotels, playgrounds in New Gudauri. Children's instructors work at the resort, and lifts up to 6 years old are free.

Opening hours of lifts and ticket offices

If you are going on vacation in Gudauri (Georgia), then the schedule of the lifts and ticket offices will come in handy:

From October to March - 10:00 - 17:00.
April to June - 9:00 am - 3:00 pm on weekdays, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm on weekends.
July to September - 10:00 - 16:00.
Ticket offices: in winter from 10:00 to 16:00, the rest of the time and on weekends from 9:00 to 17:00.

Ski passes work for 1 or 3 lifts, as well as for a period of 1 to 10 days. There is an option seven days a week - 5 days a week. The resort has rental centers. I advise you to take proven mountain skiing in the Georgian Gudauri, the prices for which may not be the lowest. But this way you can be sure of the quality. The Mogzauri and WildGuru points have proven themselves the best.

Prices for Gudauri lifts in 2019

Prices for ski pass 2019 in Gudauri for April 2019 are as follows (I quote all prices for adults):

1 time - 7 GEL.
3 times - 18 GEL.
1 day - 30 GEL.
2 days - 60 GEL.
3 days - 84 GEL.

There are also ski passes for 4,5,6,7,8, 9 and 10 days. Naturally, the more days a ski pass is taken, the more profitable.

Prices vary depending on the season. In winter they are alone, in early spring they go down, and in April they become even lower. I will publish prices for the 2019-2020 season closer to its beginning.

If you like unequipped slopes, then the Georgian resort of Gudauri is the best choice. This is a real treasure for freeride and heli-skiing enthusiasts. There are wild slopes right at the resort - you can climb to them on ordinary cable cars or tows. If you are not a freeride master yet, I advise you to take an instructor. Heli-skiing is organized by companies in Gudauri, the helicopter is dropped on relatively remote slopes. Backcountry tours with summit climbing are also organized for those who wish.

In general, you should know the following about the Gudauri ski resort:

The dry climate and sufficient altitude ensure a long skiing season.
The wild, unobstructed slopes are ideal for freeride and heli-skiing.
The high carrying capacity of the lifts eliminates queues.
There are hotels in neighboring villages and right in the resort near the ski lifts.
It is almost impossible to find accommodation on site during the high season.

Attractions of Gudauri and its surroundings

The main attraction of any mountain resort is its slopes and entertainment in the village below them. I'll tell you a little about après-ski, freeride and heli-skiing, extreme rest and excursions. Do not forget that the prices for alpine skiing in Gudauri (Georgia) depend on the season. This is true for both accommodation and excursions.

In the village, the main part of the buildings are hotels. In them you will find restaurants, clubs, and saunas with baths or spa centers. There are no problems in order to relax in a hotel in which you do not live - this is a normal practice. But often hotels offer their guests discounts, including for skiing in Gudauri, Georgia, prices may be lower for specific hotels. In terms of the amount of entertainment, the resort is seriously inferior to Bakuriani, but you will not be completely bored.

Extreme rest is also a kind of entertainment. Gudauri offers:

Freeride on near and far slopes.
Heli-skiing from 1 to 6 days with full helicopter rental.
Backcountry with a walk up the mountain.
Snowbike books and snowmobiling.
Paragliding and speedriding - downhill skiing

Regular skiing Georgia, Gudauri and other resorts are constantly offered. But you can come here in summer too. Lifts work all year round - interesting views of the Caucasus Mountains open from the peaks. Travel agencies in Gudauri conduct mountain hikes, teach mountaineering and rock climbing, organize boat and kayak rafting on mountain rivers.

Excursions from Gudauri

Guided tours are also offered all year round. If you have time, then choose:

Trip to . Classic excursion with a visit to the Georgian capital day or night. I strongly advise everyone who has not seen Tbilisi.
Excursion along the Georgian Military Highway. Travel along the main road towards Russia. Beautiful landscapes and the interesting village of Stepantsminda.
Tour Heart of Georgia. Excursion to the central part of Georgia, from where the country began. Tourists especially like Gori and Mtskheta.
Culinary tour. Walking tour of the Tbilisi market and a master class on cooking khinkali and khachapuri. Suitable for everyone who wants to learn something new.

Weather in Gudauri

The weather in Gudauri is ideal for a ski resort. The region is located far from the sea, inside the Caucasus Mountains at a decent height. As a result, a cold, dry climate with abundant snow is formed here. The season here lasts from mid-November to the end of April. The traditional peaks of the influx of tourists are New Year's holidays and the period from February 10 to March 10.

At the end of November, December and January, the main snow layer forms. The first months of winter are the coldest of all, but there is also more sunshine at this time. If you want to take a break from the crowds of tourists, then come to the Gudauri ski resort from January 10 to 25 - as many leave. Sometimes in December-January heavy snowfalls occur.

In February and March, the weather in Gudauri is less sunny, but more snowy. There are also much more tourists than in January. This is the traditional high season, when the snow layer is the largest and most comfortable. February and March are the best months for freeriding. But in April it is already getting warm and sunny, tourists are leaving, and the snow is supported by cars on the tracks. The tracks are open until the end of April.

Read a brief overview of all ski reviews in Georgia.

Reviews of tourists and skiers about Gudauri

Tourists from Georgia, Russia and Europe spend their holidays at the resort, so Gudauri receives reviews regularly. Tourists agree that the mountains are excellent and the slopes are well suited for independent descents. Equipped slopes are also not bad, lifts work properly and without queues. But only until 16:00 or 17:00, and then there is only one green track with night lighting.

There are also negative reviews. Gudauri is still completely ski-oriented, so there is practically no après-ski here. Several restaurants and baths in hotels, a couple of shops and cafes on the slopes, that's all. After skiing, almost everyone sits in their rooms and relaxes. There is nowhere to walk here either - except up or down the Georgian Military Highway. Tours can be taken, but they take at least a whole day.

When planning a trip to any ski resort in Georgia, do not forget to take out insurance! I wrote in more detail about all insurances in, you can read about the nuances and prices there. Here I would like to draw your attention to the Allianz insurance company, one of the most reliable and stable. Who wants to pick and find the best price,.

Which is better - Gudauri or Bakuriani

The most famous ski resorts in Georgia often argue among themselves for the right to be called the best. Asking the question "Gudauri or Bakuriani - which is better?" think about what you really need.

In Gudauri, as I already wrote, everything is made for skiing. There are many trails and lifts, snow groomers, snow cannons, freeride, heli-skiing, backcountry - alpine skiing for every taste. Skating for children is also suitable. But there is practically no entertainment in the village itself, here in the evenings it is very boring. They also sometimes block the Georgian Military Road.

In Bakuriani (more about the attractions of this resort and its surroundings), the situation is slightly different. Here, too, a lot has been done for skiing, but there is also a lot of entertainment. Bakuriani is a large village where you can take a walk, sit in a restaurant, relax, go to Borjomi on a narrow-gauge railway, which in itself is an attraction. I recommend this resort for families and companies, where not everyone can ride. There is also more housing here.

Accommodation in Gudauri: hotel or apartment

There are 250 different accommodation options in Gudauri: hotels, guest houses, hostels and apartments. I recommend looking for the latter on Airbnb. Using the link, you will receive a discount on your first booking (provided that you have not previously been registered with the service).

It is most convenient to look for hotels and guesthouses in Buckinge. Here are some highly-rated accommodation options in Gudauri.

Hotels in Gudauri near the ski lift

The cost of a transfer from Tbilisi to Gudauri starts at $ 43. Choose a car ==>

I told you more about the service.

If you arrived at the Kutaisi airport, then ordering a transfer is also possible.

In Gudauri with a rented car

Many local firms offer car rental for tourists. It is better to check the conditions in advance so as not to be left without transport. There are rental points in Tbilisi and Kutaisi. When returning along the Gudauri - Tbilisi route, you can return the car in the same place where you took it. Cars are dismantled quickly during the season, so I advise you to book it in advance. A detailed article comparing international and Georgian car rental offices, provides information on Georgian roads, traffic rules and fines,.

To Gudauri from Moscow on an organized tour

For lovers of comfort and connoisseurs of time, the ideal travel option: tours to Gudauri from Moscow. Do you need to decide on the hotel, type of food and other nuances. The tour operator will do the rest for you. And he will deliver to Tbilisi, and will take you to the hotel in Gudari, and he will even buy insurance for you.

You can choose a tour to Gudari from Moscow online. The service works with such mastodons of the tourism industry as Biblio Globus, Anex Tour and Tez Tour. The service provides its customers with round-the-clock support and free courier delivery in Moscow. Please note that fuel surcharges and other surcharges are already included in the tour price.

To Gudauri from Vladikavkaz

One road leads from Vladikavkaz to Georgia, which at the Upper Lars border crossing turns into the Georgian Military. Crossing the border on foot is prohibited, only by car or, for example, by bicycle. You will need a driver's license and a car license to get from Moscow to Gudauri.

Airplanes fly to Vladikavkaz () from different cities of Russia, there are trains. Buses and minibuses go to the territory of Georgia or Vladikavkaz. The risk is that the only checkpoint on the Russian-Georgian border may be closed due to an avalanche or the threat of an avalanche. In winter, this happens all the time, but if you want to get to Gudauri on a budget, you will have to take a risk.

If you want to drive your car all the time, then take care of an overnight stay on the way, plan your gasoline consumption - there are few gas stations in Georgia and there is no winter diesel engine. Check the condition of the Georgian Military Highway in advance so that it is not closed at the most inopportune moment. This is the most important information on how to get to Gudauri.

I am waiting for your feedback and comments about your vacation in Gudauri: what did you like, what not, what pluses and minuses did you highlight for yourself while visiting the ski resort.

For a brief overview of other ski resorts in Georgia, see the link above. Pukhlyaka for you on all tracks!

In love with Georgia, Igor OZIN.

Skiing in Gudauri: how to get there, trails, where to live

5 (100%) VOTED 8

Gudauri I have outlined for a long time, when I only dreamed of visiting Georgia. I looked at the pictures of other travelers, which depict Kazbek from a height, and so I was drawn to get there! In fact, I am a skier and a snowboarder - none, so it didn't matter to me whether I was traveling during the season or not. One day from Gudauri and back was just enough.

Gudauri,

From Gudauri to Tbilisi by car

A car is very convenient in Georgia, as public transport does not go everywhere. If you are going to drive your car in winter, pay due attention to the wheels - it is simply dangerous to drive on summer tires in some icy places of the road. It is easy to rent a car at local rental offices, only the price is not very low - from 50 euros per day. You can ask the price on one of the sites, and make a reservation there from home, as the best offers are quickly sorted out. You can drive 125 km to Tbilisi in 2-2.5 hours along the Georgian Military Highway, depending on the time of the year and traffic congestion. Roads in Georgia are still free, and gasoline is not very expensive, for such a distance you will need to refuel for 27 lari (10 euros). Also along the way there is where to turn to "capture" and other attractions, but this is if you are in no hurry.

From Gudauri to Tbilisi. Taxi or transfer

On the Internet there are a lot of offers from private companies that offer transfers from point A to point B. You can write or call and negotiate with them. It is the cheapest if you are traveling with a group of several people, and for one - from 70-80 euros. A taxi is a little cheaper (if the tongue is hung well, from 45-50 euros, bargain), you can take it right on the spot without bothering in advance. But all the same, firms, even small ones, are more reliable, as for me, than local residents who want to earn extra money.

From Gudauri to Tbilisi by minibus

In the daytime, approximately every hour, you can leave Gudauri for Tbilisi by minibus. There are those passing from Kazbegi or those who brought people from Tbilisi and are returning back. Before the trip, I tried in vain to find where they were picking up passengers. In general, Gudauri is a small settlement, in fact, a village, which is divided into a lower and an upper part. So, when I got there from Tbilisi, it was more convenient for me to get off near the Old Post Office in Upper Gudauri, so I went back from there so as not to get confused. There is also a minibus stop at the bottom of the town, near the Smart store. We will tactfully keep silent about onboard service and comfort, you should not expect this from ordinary minibuses. Well, so, quite a good economy option, especially since there is no particular choice. In 2-3 hours you can get to the Didube bus station in Tbilisi.

Tbilisi, Didube bus station

Buying tickets

The driver collects money when passengers enter the minibus or in the middle of the way during a stop for a gas station.

Fare

A one-way ticket costs 7-10 lari (3 euros). If you have very bulky luggage or ski equipment, most likely, you will need to pay for it the same as for a person - it depends on the mood of the driver and the workload of the minibus.

Completion

It will not be possible to get to Tbilisi by train, since there are no rails in Gudauri due to the peculiarities of the terrain. Regular buses for some reason do not run, although the route is popular. So only minibuses remain from public transport. Honestly, I was afraid that I would be seasick, such incidents happen to me. The road in places is such that it could be quite, but nothing happened. But what a beauty, mesmerizing!

The Gudauri ski resort is located on the Georgian Military Highway south of the Cross Pass, 120 kilometers from Tbilisi and 80 kilometers from Vladikavkaz, on the slope of the Greater Caucasus Range at an altitude of 2,196 meters.

When is the best time to go to Gudauri?

The season in Gudauri begins in mid-December and lasts until the end of March, sometimes until mid-April. The last few years, winters in the Caucasus have been snowy, and the season starts earlier than usual: for example, at the end of 2016, the lifts started working on December 10. A stable snow cover usually falls in mid to late December, although for the last few years the snow has been full in November.

Snow in Gudauri lies until the end of March - mid-April, at the height of the season its thickness is 1.5-2 meters. In December, Gudauri only "wakes up", except for the lifts, almost nothing is still working; in January, a fun party begins - skiing in the evenings is replaced by Caucasian toasts with wine and chacha, in February-March Gudauri calms down a bit and becomes a classic family ski resort.

From late March to mid-April, the infrastructure is slowly being phased out and from April Gudauri goes into hibernation until December.

Gudauri: description of trails and lifts

The total length of the ski slopes as of the beginning of 2017 is 57 km (excluding the freeride space, which is immense and cannot be counted), the longest of them is 7 km. The minimum height (the lower station of the cable car near the Marco Polo hotel) is 2050 meters, the maximum (the upper station of the cable car at the top of Sadzele Mountain) is 3268 meters.

Gudauri has all types of slopes: green, blue, red and black. It is unlikely to hit a stone or a branch in Gudauri, since the resort is located above the forest level - skiing is very similar to that on some European glacier like Kaprun in Austria. On the one hand, with thin snow, the branches do not scratch the skis, and on the other hand, I personally like trails that at least partially pass through the forest.

The lifts are open from 10:00 to 16:00 (Saturdays and Sundays until 17:00). According to information from the resort staff, there is free wi-fi near the lift stations. I didn't need it, so I didn't evaluate its quality and speed.

There are no cross-country skiing trails in Gudauri, and there are no local ski rentals either.

In addition to skiing, snowboarding and sledding, in Gudauri you can go in for paragliding (paragliding with an instructor) from the Kudebe and Sadzele peaks. More information about this fun can be found on the website of its organizer: flycaucasus.com

On the Internet, I have repeatedly come across the opinion that of all the ski resorts in Georgia (Gudauri, Bakuriani, Hatsvali and Goderdzi), Gudauri is the most suitable for children and novice skiers. I cannot agree with this 100% - for me, Bakuriani is much better suited for beginners with its gentle slopes and separate ski areas for children.

Children's "track" in Gudauri

If you wish, you can hire an instructor in Gudauri (50 GEL per 1 hour) - you need to ask about this in special booths near the lower stations.

You can also go sledding in Gudauri:

Since July 2016, lifts have been operating in Gudauri in the summer (from 10 am to 4 pm) - a downhill cycle track with a length of 4790 meters is open. One climb costs 5 GEL (Gudaura, Sadzele, Snowpark), a bike pass for 1 day costs 12 GEL, for the whole summer - 60 GEL.

Lifts in Gudauri:

All production lifts Doppelmayr and Poma.

"Gudaura"- 10-seat gondola lift, length 2800 meters.
"Pirveli"- three-seat open lift ("bench"), length 1053 meters. The track is equipped with snow cannons and artificial lighting.
"Soliko"- open four-seat, length 2295 meters.
"Kudebi"- open three-seat, 1063 meters.
Snowpark- open three-seat, 1104 meters.
"Shino"- new 6-chair lift (opened in December 2016), length 2800 meters.
Zuma- training 600-meter slope with a drag lift.
There are also Snow park for extreme skiing, tubing track and treadmill (SunKid people mover, 300 meters).

What is good, the seats of the chair lifts in Gudauri rise (like in a movie theater), which has a beneficial effect on the comfort of their use: there is less snow and ice on them than on ordinary ones. But I still recommend taking a special polyurethane foam "seat" with you - health is more expensive.

Prices for ski passes and rental in Gudauri

Compared to traditional European ski resorts, the prices in Gudauri are very humane:

If you don't feel like lugging skis and boots, all of this can be rented on site.

Price list of rental points in Gudauri (season 2016-2017):
Ski set rental (skis, poles, boots): GEL 30 ($ 12) per day (from 10:00 to 18:00).
Snowboard + boots set rental: 35 GEL.
Sled rental: 10 GEL.
When renting from 3 days, a 10% discount is provided.
You can rent skis, poles, boots, goggles and helmets separately - 10 GEL per unit per day.
Repair of skis, snowboards and boots: from 15 to 45 GEL.

Car rental office in Gudauri

Where to live in Gudauri

Gudauri Is a fairly young ski resort, although it has already become quite popular due to its proximity to the capital and low prices. The housing stock is represented by a couple of dozen hotels, guesthouses and numerous apartments, freely scattered along the slope at various distances from the ski lifts. The most advantageous location of a 4-star hotel "Marco Polo": the lower station of the lift is located almost in his yard.

Hotel "Marco Polo"

As expected, during the season, places in Gudauri hotels must be booked as early as possible. For example, a month before the start of the 2016-2017 ski season from budget options for Booking there were only beds in common rooms for 2500 rubles. If you are concerned about booking at least a couple of months in advance, you can stay in a decent 3-star hotel "Edelweiss"(rating by reviews on Booking 8.2), in the winter of 2017 I lived in it for 2800 rubles / night for single occupancy - this price is relevant when booking by link through Booking, directly at the hotel a single costs about $ 100 / night.

Hotel "Edelweiss"

Me in "Edelweiss" as a compliment from the hotel they offered a glass of homemade wine and fruit:

And so they gave an excellent idea of what to do in Gudauri in the evenings after skiing in the absence of après-ski - drink wine!

Room in "Edelweiss"

I can also recommend these studio apartment(rating 9.1, price 37 $ per night) and a good guesthouse Gudauri with an amazing view of the mountains from the balcony (rating on Booking 9.0, price $ 57 per day).

Where to eat in Gudauri

At the height of the ski season, there are several cafes on the slopes with decent quality food and reasonable prices. But they all begin to work closer to the New Year - when I once arrived in Gudauri at the very beginning of the season, none of these establishments had yet been opened. Actually, at the beginning of the season, nothing works in Gudauri at all - except for the lifts. However, for many (including me) this is quite enough.

Cafe "Truso": at the moment this is the best place in Gudauri. The cuisine is exclusively Georgian with a very decent choice (shashlik, khachapuri, khinkali, kharcho, etc.) and the quality of food and drinks (Rkatsiteli, Kindzmarauli, Saperavi ...).

Après-ski in Gudauri

If we compare Gudauri with the popular ski resorts of Austria and Italy, then as of 2017 there is almost no evening or nightlife in Gudauri. In fact, you have only three options for leisure after skiing: a) drink Georgian wine in the evenings with friends and new acquaintances b) go to the bathhouse c) go to church.

For example, this situation with après-ski suits me perfectly, because I'm not a particularly party-goer and generally an introvert. The less noise and people around, the better. Anyway, after a whole day of skiing in the cold and in the fresh mountain air, I personally want to go to the bathhouse and sleep, and not sit in the bar.

Where to take a steam bath in Gudauri

I managed to find a sauna spa center in a fashionable hotel Tsar Bani Spa resort(rating by reviews on Booking 9.3) in Upper Gudauri, but I didn’t have a chance to take a steam bath: remembering the wonderful spa centers of the Austrian Zell am See for 20 euros from my nose, I came to this Tsar bani and was unpleasantly surprised by the price: 220 lari (84 $ !!!) for 2 hours for the whole bath, regardless of how many people will be there. If you come to Gudauri in a large company, then, perhaps, it will be acceptable for everyone, but I came there alone, and I considered it wasteful to give almost a hundred bucks for a bathhouse :-) By the way, this bath was the only exception to the rule “everything is cheap in Gudauri ". If you, like me, decided to go to Gudauri for a few days from Tbilisi, then it would be much wiser to return to Tbilisi and there go to one of the ("Banny District"), praised by Pushkin.

Impressions from Gudauri

First of all, one must understand that Gudauri is not Austria or Italy; Georgian ski resorts still need to grow up to them. But in terms of price / quality ratio, Gudauri is one of my favorites.

First, about the pros. The most important of them is stunning nature, mountain air, a lot of clean snow and prices. For example, in the 2017 season, a daily ski pass for one adult cost 30 GEL (approximately 690 rubles). The prices in cafes and restaurants are also very reasonable. For example, a hearty soup and barbecue lunch in a hotel restaurant "Edelweiss" lightened my wallet by only 13 lari (about 300 rubles). I propose to compare this amount with the price of a comparable lunch somewhere in Krasnaya Polyana - comments, as they say, are superfluous.

Delicious soup

Another big plus: there are almost always few vacationers in Gudauri, I have never encountered queues for the lifts there.

A snowcat passed here

Now about the cons. Firstly, transport accessibility: Gudauri is connected to the outside world by the only Georgian Military Highway, which even in summer does not shine with the quality of coverage, and in winter it can be dangerous at all.

Georgian military road in winter

It is impossible to get to Gudauri either by plane or by train, the nearest train stations and airports are located in Tbilisi and Vladikavkaz.

Hotels and guesthouses are freely scattered all over the slope, and it takes a long walk from many of them to the ski lifts, which is not always easy and pleasant with skis and boots. There are no transfers from the hotel to the slope. There is only one relatively large store for the whole city - "Smart"(not counting small shops with honey, wine and churchkhela), and it is located in Lower Gudauri:

Shop "Smart"

So if you live in the upper part of the town, you will either have to take long walks, or eat at a hotel restaurant, or go on a diet. If the weather is calm and sunny - Gudauri makes an absolutely gorgeous impression - some landscapes are worth it, but if you happen to get there under heavy snowfall, then all the flaws of the Georgian service come out: there are few snow groomers and at times they frankly do not have time to put the tracks in order under the snow. As a result, a banal descent along a marked blue track feels like an extreme freeride.

By the way, in December 2016 I just fell under such a heavy snowfall for many days (the Georgian Military Road north of Gudauri was completely closed for several days because of it, and it was impossible to drive from Vladikavkaz to Gudauri).

The diagrams of trails and lifts are posted only at the lower stations, there is nothing at the top. And you have to either remember where and how to go down, or go wherever you look - all the same, you will not go further than the Georgian Military Road.

The scheme of the tracks in Gudauri

Gudauri is still a very young ski resort and is actively developing, so all of the above complaints may well be attributed to "childhood illnesses", which will improve over time.

So,

Pros:
Gorgeous mountain landscapes.
Interesting and varied tracks, endless possibilities for freeriding.
Proximity to the Russian border.
Relative proximity to Tbilisi.
Low prices.
Lack of crowds and lines.
Traditional Georgian hospitality, wine and cuisine.

Minuses:
Unpredictable December weather.
Far from other large cities of Georgia (Kutaisi, Batumi).
Insufficiently developed infrastructure.
Difficulties with transport accessibility from Russia: Gudauri is located very close to the Russian border, but between it and the resort there is the Cross Pass, which is regularly covered with snow in winter, which makes it impossible to get to Gudauri by car from Russia. You have to wait until the snow is cleared - and this can take from a couple of days to a week. In 2014, a mudflow came down, which led to the closure of the Georgian Military Highway for three weeks.

If in winter Gudauri turns into the epicenter of winter active recreation, tourists from different countries, a large proportion of which are from Russia, flock here to go skiing and snowboarding on snow-white slopes, hone their skills or try themselves in winter sports for the first time, then what is going on here summer?

And in summer / autumn there is a completely different picture here - sunlit green meadows strewn with fragrant flowers and herbs, fields, peacefully grazing cows, silence and absolute idyll! You can live in the bosom of nature and enjoy the views of the snowy peaks, breathe in the coolness of the fresh air and hide from the busy and sometimes stuffy Tbilisi. What we actually did 🙂

In this article I will tell and show how Gudauri looks like in summer, where you can go for beautiful views, and what else you can do in the Gudauri ski resort during the ski "off season" 🙂

And this, in fact, is a scattering of hotels and houses in Gudauri, the resort is located right on the Georgian Military Highway.

Most of the places that I will describe in this article can be viewed as part of a 1-2 day trip from Tbilisi to Kazbegi, it is not at all necessary to stay here for the night, but we, for example, gladly spent half of our trip across Georgia in Gudauri. By the way, our friends, planning a 3-week vacation in Georgia, dedicated a whole week to Gudauri and were also delighted.

In addition, from here you can ride to the village of Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) to look at Kazbek - a photogenic and capricious handsome man, a five-thousander mountain, as well as go to the valley, and much more!

Where to live and how to get to Gudauri, I tell you at the end of the article, and now - about what awaits you here!

In summer and early autumn, lifts are still in operation in Gudauri,

which means you can climb to the very top - the top of Sadzeli, from where stunning 360-degree panoramas open up from a height of 3268 m.

In order to climb to the very top, you need to ride on 3 lifts. The cost of the 1st section is 5 GEL, a ticket for 3 lifts - 12 GEL, a subscription for the whole summer / autumn - 60 GEL. In summer, only 3 cable cars operate - gondola, Snow Park and Sadzeli.

You can also drive only on the 1st and 3rd lifts, and walk between them (this is the smallest, and at the same time, the gently sloping part of the ski resort), at the same time you can admire the herds of grazing lambs.

The third ascent is with the steepest slope, here the mountain is bald, and all the beautiful views are opened just from the chair lift.

In some places it is already breathtaking, especially when you consider that this is not a booth closed on all sides, but an open chair.

From the top of Mount Sadzeli (3268 m), a view of the gorge and other snowfields opens,

And even in summer you can play snowballs here 🙂

In windy weather, despite the sun, it is pretty cool upstairs,

but I don’t want to go down so quickly, because there is such beauty all around!

Moreover, the review here is on all 4 sides 🙂

- gorgeous views of the mountains and gorges, which are not visible at all from below.

From the top of Sadzeli one does not go on trekking, it is essentially a giant block of stones, with a very steep slope, along which it is possible to go down on skis in winter or on a bicycle in summer.

In summer, extreme cyclists come to the resort (a bike pass for the whole day costs 12 GEL). On weekends, mountain bike competitions are held here, but on any other day, you can climb with your bike, because the track does not go anywhere.

New church

We saw this church from the balcony of the Marco Polo hotel,

so we certainly wanted to take a walk to her,

she is very close - a typical Georgian church,

new, built at the expense of one rich Georgian.

There is nothing special, but behind the church is the picturesque Aragvi gorge

for a change, you can walk a little along it,

the views are pleasant.

And how many greens and flowers are there, and indeed in Gudauri ..

a completely different picture than in a snowy winter 🙂

Bicycle lane

One day, when there was a planned power outage and the lifts did not work, we went straight along the bike path, from the Alpina hotel, went for a walk in the mountains, although we did not go out on this path right away, and for some time we hobbled along the grader for cars ((

At the same time, it was a great workout for the leg muscles, with a nice picture for the eyes 🙂

All the way we were accompanied by this cheerful puppy,

who had overflowing energy, the feeling that he sat at the hotel, waiting for tourists, running alone in the mountains, apparently, is not so interesting)

You can walk along the slopes in Gudauri for a very long time, which is not a step, then a place for inspiration,

meditation,

or yoga 🙂

And from everywhere - a panoramic view of green meadows,

sometimes with cows,

and sun-drenched flower valleys.

This monument is an observation deck, built back in 1983, as a sign of friendship between the Georgian and Russian peoples, in honor of the 200th anniversary of the pact on Georgia's annexation to Russia. The People's Friendship Arch is located at an altitude of 2384 m, just a couple of kilometers from the resort, up the Georgian Military Highway, if you go from Gudauri to Kazbegi.

The arch is huge and bright, it is difficult not to notice it, it stands right on the side of the Georgian Military Highway.

In summer, life is in full swing at the Arch - all tourists traveling to Kazbegi must stop here, so here, by the way, there are churchkhela stalls, Georgian souvenirs, knitted hats, hot corn, and other Georgian nishyachki.

The first thing that catches your eye at the entrance to the Arch is a huge colored mosaic panel, but this is not the main feature of the Arch, although it is very effective.

Home - a thrilling view of the surroundings, the gorge and the round mountain,

from paths and balconies overhanging the abyss.

The views open up, as much as the soul goes to the heels of delight, it is indescribable ..

There are several observation decks here,

and with each one would certainly want to take another shot.

Aragvi gorge

The Aragvi gorge is very picturesque, this is a view from the Upper District of Gudauri, if you look closely, you can see a tiny Arch of Friendship of Peoples on the right.

Some hotels in Gudauri overlook this crevice in the valley.

Also, you can look into the Aragvi gorge if you go for a walk on the ski slopes,

or decide to drop by a new church.

A scenic road runs along the bottom of the gorge, you can go on it in front of the serpentine leading to Gudauri near the village of Kvemo Mleta, next to the starting point to the Lomisi Monastery, which I already wrote about.

Down the Aragvi gorge, you can drive to an artificial turquoise lake,

on the road along the river, though in this case you need an SUV.

Well, just to admire the lake in all its glory is best from the observation deck, which is located just above it - the People's Friendship Arch.

The most picturesque views of the Aragvi gorge from above open just from the Arch.

If you walk 300-500 m to the left of the Arch, you can feel the extraordinary atmosphere and enjoy the views, far from tourists and bustle.

And the most photogenic view of the Aragvi gorge from the natural observation deck is a stone on the ledge below, under the arch.

Paragliders, quads, horses

Do you like these activities? Yes, all this is also in Gudauri.

Such activities can be booked both at the hotel and on your own on the Internet, or you can use the offers near the Arch.

For example, for a 15-minute paragliding flight, they ask for 200-250 GEL (depending on whether you need a transfer to / from the hotel). There are flights of 25 minutes longer.

During this time, you can admire the mountains, snowy peaks in the distance, and fly over the picturesque Aragvi gorge.

Horseback riding is no less exciting,

especially if you agree on a longer and more interesting route through the mountains.

Well, ATVs are more for an amateur, because enjoying the picturesque views while driving on bumps, in my opinion, is completely inconvenient .. we saw a group rolling, and the squeals were hardly from the seen beauties 🙂

Lomisi

A few kilometers down the Georgian road towards Tbilisi, in the village of Kvemo Mleta there is a nature trail to the Lomisi monastery, trekking of medium difficulty - 3.5 km one way with an altitude gain of 1000 m.If you like hiking and trekking, be sure to go here , you will not regret!

It is a very pleasant and atmospheric place, with stunning scenery both along the way and from the summit.

Kazbegi / Chaukhi

Well, if you go from Gudauri up the Georgian Military Highway, you can visit the Sno valley and the Chaukhi mountain range (this is perhaps my favorite place in this mountainous region).

And of course, it is worth visiting the village of Kazbegi (Stepantsminda), from there, in clear weather, bombastic views of the towering Mount Kazbek open up.

In the same place, in this village, in the village of Gergeti, there is a popular attraction - the Trinity Church, a visiting card of the Kazbegi region, la and Georgia in general,

Where to stay in Gudauri?

Some hotels and restaurants work only in winter, only a few hotels function in summer, and what is convenient, most also work on a half board system (breakfast and dinner), as in winter.

Very popular in winter apartments in New Gudauri, next to the gondola lift - here it is a small area, illuminated by the sun.

These apart-hotels are also open during the summer, but alas, the huge supermarket located there is closed during the summer.

As a result, despite a dozen houses with cozy apartments, tourists who settled here in the summer find themselves without breakfast and dinner (which hotels can boast of). Yes, they have a kitchen in the room, but they are cut off from such an important component of the infrastructure as a shop, alas, restaurants in this part of Gudauri also do not work in summer.

The nearest large store is located a couple of kilometers below on the route of the Georgian Military Highway, called Smart.

There are options with apartments both on and in Booking.

There are also several options in the apartment building, next to the panoramic Hotel Club-2100, there are also these cool swing overlooking Central Gudauri.

You can view all hotels in Gudauri here.

If you love mountains as much as we do, now you know where in Georgia to look for stunning mountain landscapes - in Gudauri !!

For how to get there, see the next paragraph!

How to get to Gudauri?

By plane to Tbilisi (120 km to Gudauri).

The most budgetary option Is a minibus from Tbilisi. It costs 7 GEL, leaves from Didube station, 2 hours on the way, in my opinion they deliver to hotels. At least on the way back from the hotel we were picked up. Departure times are at 9:00, 11:00, 13:30 and 17:00 (times may vary). Return minibuses also run on schedule, start from the old post office building.
You can take a minibus, which goes to Stepantsminda. In this case, you will simply be dropped off on the highway to Gudauri, and the cost will be 10 GEL.
By taxi from Tbilisi- 60-80 GEL per car (more expensive in winter), the easiest way to look for taxi drivers is at the same Didube bus station.
Transfer from airport- from 150 GEL.
To hitchhike- in Georgia in general, and on the Georgian Military Highway, in particular, it works well.
Rent a car. Read more about all the details and intricacies of renting in our article:

To Gudauri via Vladikavkaz.

You can get to Gudauri on your own from Russia, through Vladikavkaz and the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint. But be sure to check the weather forecast and especially, keep an eye on the condition of the road. During snowfalls, the road can be closed from several days to a week, so you can get stuck on the way there and back.

You can also fly to Vladikavkaz, by the way, there are very cheap tickets from Moscow, from 2,000 rubles ()! Further, you can get to Gudauri by minibus (500 rubles).

Marks on the map

During the time spent in Gudauri, we became imbued with love for these places, and even fired up with the desire to come here to ski in the winter, because this is the best (modern and large) ski resort in Georgia, so in the next article I will talk in more detail about the possibility of winter recreation in Gudauri.

If you love skiing or snowboarding, be sure to check it out!

You can get from the Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi Airport to the Gudauri resort by minibus or taxi. You can also rent a car without a driver. The duration of the trip by public transport is 3 hours 53 minutes, the cost is $ 3.4. The car will take the tourist in 2 hours 10 minutes, you need to pay at least $ 63. The distance from Tbilisi Airport to Gudauri is 140 km.

Sometimes it is difficult to find the required minibus among others, because their route is usually indicated in Georgian. The minibus stop is not near the airport, but at the Didube bus station, which takes almost 1 hour to get to. Minibuses do not run at night, so at this time of day you will only be able to leave by taxi. The fare is paid in local currency - lari.

Gudauri - harmony in everything

Gudauri is a rather young resort, but rapidly developing. It is located on the slope of the Greater Caucasus Range and is famous for its mild climate, the absence of frost and icy winds. Here you will find something to do for both beginners in alpine skiing and professionals. To fully enjoy the stunning views of the Greater Caucasus Range, you can climb to the top of Mount Kudebi. There are no attractions as such in the resort, however, in their free time, every vacationer has the opportunity to swim in the indoor pool, play tennis, bowling, visit restaurants of Georgian cuisine.

Minibus Tbilisi - Gudauri. Bus

Price

Expectation

Travel time

For whom

Ind.tourist

The minibus departs from the Didube bus station, which is located next to the metro station of the same name. The minibus will reach Gudauri in 3 hours, the trip will cost a tourist $ 3. The ski equipment is assessed by the driver as another passenger, respectively, in this case the amount for the trip is doubled. You can ask the driver to drop you off near the hotel if it is located close to the highway. Tbilisi-Gudauri buses, although a cheap, but extremely inconvenient type of transport, especially in winter.

Route taxi Tbilisi - Gudauri:

Direct minibus flight to Gudauri

Schedule:

09:30 to 17:00

Route:

Tbilisi airport - Didube bus station - Gudauri

Travel time:

3 h 53 min (53 min - road to Didube bus station, 3 h - minibus to Gudauri)

Expectation:

Comfort:

Low: comfortable seats, small luggage compartment, little space in the cabin.

Price:

$ 3.4 or 8 lari ($ 0.4 - road to Didube bus station, $ 3 - minibus to Gudauri)

For whom:

For families without children, young travelers, small groups of tourists, no large luggage.

How to find the minibus stop at Tbilisi airport:

From the airport there is a bus # 37 "Airport - Tbilisi Center", by which you need to get to the stop "Metro Station Samgori". Then go down the subway and get to Didube station. The bus station is located at the exit of the metro tunnel, a three-minute walk.

Price

Expectation

Travel time

For whom

To get to your destination as quickly and comfortably as possible, you can order an individual Gudauri? Pap = 57adbb36f2232 "> transfer from Tbilisi to Gudauri. The car will take the traveler in 2 hours 10 minutes, the cost of an economy class car is $ 63, a minibus for 7 passengers - $ 129. Individual transfer is in demand among large companies, as well as groups of tourists who travel with their ski equipment.Often, such a trip is cheaper than using public transport, because in the case of a booked car there is no additional charge for luggage. on the website or by phone.

Schedule:

around the clock

Route:

hotel in Gudauri or at the address

Travel time:

Expectation:

If the taxi driver agrees to take you to such a distance, then the waiting time for the car will not exceed 10-20 minutes.
There is no need to wait for the booked transfer, the driver meets the client at the exit from the arrivals area with a nameplate in his hands.

Comfort:

Taxi on the spot: ride without companions and stops.
A pre-booked transfer: a wide range of car classes, help with luggage, a Russian-speaking driver, the ability to make a prepayment by card, a stove in the cabin, a spacious trunk, no additional payment for luggage.

Price:

From $ 63 for an economy class car, from $ 129 for a minibus per group

For whom:

Large families, companies of tourists, with ski equipment, night arrivals, for businessmen, for the first time in Tbilisi / Gudauri.

How to find the taxi rank from Tbilisi Airport to Gudauri:

The taxi rank is located at the exit from the airport building on the right-hand side.