From time immemorial, great poets and famous travelers have been fascinated by the beauty of Georgian nature, the original culture of this people and the unique flavor of the Georgian character.
The topic of skiing in Georgia is worthy of a separate serious discussion. If someone manages to “get sick with skiing sickness,” it’s forever. At the service of fans of this sport, Georgia offers two ski resorts of international class: Gudauri and Bakuriani. Great opportunities for amateurs and professionals, as well as for snowboarders and paragliders, are provided by Georgia. Gudauri is a ski resort that eventually overshadowed Bakuriani, which in the Soviet Union was one of the few such sites. Gudauri became famous thanks to the presence of ultramodern hotels, cable cars and international ski slopes.
Georgia, Gudauri: ski resort
Those who have never once skied and plan to learn how to ski when they come to Georgia should choose Gudauri for this purpose. The resort of Bakuriani (180 km from Tbilisi) and Hatsvali (located in Svaneti) have tracks that are quite difficult for beginners. Both for experienced athletes and for beginners, Georgia opens the ski track of its resorts every season .
Gudauri is a ski resort located at an altitude of 2196 m on the slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range in the Kazbegi region. The ski season here lasts from the last days of December to the beginning of April. Vacationers in Gudauri can go skiing, sledding and snowboarding. Freeride is especially popular in Gudauri - this is the name of the special descent from the mountain, carried out off the track. At the rental building, anyone can find the phones of an instructor teaching freeride. Freeride is the main attraction of the resort, thanks to which Georgia has become famous for its opportunities for winter sports. Gudauri is a ski resort, the length of the freeride tracks of which, according to vacationers, is endless. There are a large number of off-piste slopes in the area, suitable for those who wish to do heli-skiing or backcountry. They do not go cross-country skiing and ice skating in Gudauri.
Trails
The total number of tracks in Gudauri is 22. Their total length is 57 km. Every night, 218 hectares of the route are processed by snowcat. 20% of tracks are used by professionals, 80% are intended for amateurs. The first track is equipped with snow cannons.
The longest downhill is 7 km. The critical height difference is 1200 m. Sadzele Mountain in Gudauri is considered to be the highest: it reaches 3268 m. The minimum height is 2050 m. The thickness of the snow cover in the resort usually reaches 1.5 m. Gudauri has trails on which children and beginners feel comfortable. There are slalom tracks and the so-called “black”, “red” and “blue” tracks. All of them are located above the forest, so it is impossible for a beginner to fly into the bushes or crash into a tree.
Lifts
The ski lifts are designed for simultaneous service of 11,000 people. The height of the lower station is 1990 m, the upper - 3307 m. The work of the lifts is carried out regardless of the number of skiers. The need to stop work arises only in adverse weather conditions (very poor visibility or strong wind). The ropeways are equipped with emergency diesel engines in case of a power outage.
Lifting Schedule:
- In winter: from 10:00 to 17:00.
- In the spring (in April and late March): from 9:00 to 15:00 (on weekdays), from 9:00 to 16:00 (on weekends).
- In the summer period (starting from July 16): from 10:00 to 16:00 (daily).
Things to do in Gudauri
Guests of the resort are delighted with their stay in Gudauri. The main attraction here is snowboarding and skiing, for which, in fact, many people aspire here. Since the lifts after five are already closed, and the tracks are not lit, skating alone at night will not work. Therefore, the only thing that you can do in the evening, vacationers say is to bathe in a bath, spend time in a cafe, play bowling or taste local home-made wine. There are several cafes near the ski lifts. The cost of a dinner for two here is 30 GEL (690 rubles).
Infrastructure
In the village, according to vacationers, there is a club. Free Wi-Fi is available near the ski lifts, but, according to review authors, it works very poorly. There is a church, restaurants, Smart - a small supermarket where you can buy food and pastries (prices are Tbilisi). The supermarket has a free toilet, currency exchange, ATMs and payment terminals. The authors of the reviews share that in Gudauri there is nowhere to buy fruits and vegetables. But at the supermarket you can buy churchkhela, homemade wine (1 liter costs 5 GEL, or 115 rubles), cheese and souvenirs from local residents.
Gudauri: hotels
On the territory of the resort village are presented a large number of hotels, guesthouses, chalets, apartments of various price categories. In season, apartments and hotels in Gudauri are twice as expensive as in the capital of Georgia.
The cost of a modest room in a guest house (or apartment): from $ 20-30 (1223.60 - 1835.40 rubles). The cost of spacious apartments (hotel rooms): from 40-60 $. (2447.20-3670.80 rub.).
The regulars of the resort advise those who plan to go to Georgia by car and want to save money to stay in Stepantsminda (33 km from Gudauri). Here the cost of housing is lower.
Inventory rental
You can rent equipment at one of the hotels. In addition, in Gudauri, in front of the ski lifts, there is a rental building where you can get ski boots and everything else. For those who plan to ride in a few days, reviewers recommend purchasing their own equipment. It also makes sense, vacationers share, go in advance to one of the rental points in Tbilisi. Here, the prices for renting snowboards and other equipment are lower, and the choice is much larger. You can also purchase equipment in the shop in front of the Gudauri ski lift.
Rates
Equipment rental:
- Standard set (skis, ski boots, poles): 30 GEL (690 rubles) per day.
- If the equipment is rented for a period of more than 3 days: 25 GEL (575 rubles).
- Snowboard rental and boots: 30 GEL (690 rubles) when renting for 1 day.
- For a period of 3 days: 25 GEL (575 rubles).
- VIP kit (freeride skiing, speed skiing, etc.): 50 GEL (1150 rub.)
- Helmets, glasses and gloves: 5 GEL (115 rubles)
- It takes about 150 GEL (3,450 rubles) to fly for 10-15 minutes with an instructor on a paraglider
Services offered by a ski resort in Georgia (in Gudauri), prices in rubles:
- 1 lift for adults and children: 115 rubles.
- 3 lifts: 344 rub.
- Ski school (for children): 275 rub.
- For adults (1 day): 688-917 rub.
- Night skating: 229 rub.
- Lift pass (for 1 day): 40 GEL (920 rubles). For children and teenagers discounts are provided.
About Health Insurance
Tourists who have visited Gudauri more than once are advised to take out medical insurance before going to the resort, since the services of a doctor in Georgia are quite expensive. In Gudauri, medical insurance is not included in the price of a ski pass. In case of injury, the insurance company will take on many issues related to the organization of treatment.