Gudauri ski resort is located in one of the villages of the Kazbegi municipality in Georgia. It is a small tourist center, which is located on one of the sections of the Georgian Military Highway, not far from the place where the Cross Pass stands. In this publication we have collected the most interesting and useful information about the resort of Gudauri.
general information
From the capital to Gudauri (a ski resort, the photo of which you can see below) you need to go somewhere one hundred twenty kilometers, and in time a trip by car can take a couple of hours.
Here the start of the ski season falls in December, and ends in April. The level of average thickness in the snow cover in winter is estimated at one and a half meters. The equipment of the tracks includes elevators, while the height of the lower station is 1990 m, and the upper - 3307 m.
Historical reference
Gudauri is mentioned in written evidence from the 18-19 centuries, for example, in the works of N. Nefediev, A. Dumas, M. Lermontov. This was due to the fact that here since ancient times there passed the most important transport route. According to literary scholars, this locality, apparently, was used by Lermontov in creating the name "Gudal" from the poem "Demon". The photographs of one of the tunnels, the post office building, as well as one of the drawings made by M. Lermontov have survived to this day. This work depicts the so-called mystical fortress. By the way it looks, you can determine that this gorge is near Belaya Aragvi, which is located on the other side of Gudauri. In addition, a description of the Mljet descent is contained among the notes of A. Dumas. Gudauri ski resort began to develop in the 70-80 years of the last century, and this process continues to this day.
Resort Information
Today, a large number of tourists come to Gudauri. The ski resort (reviews of which you will read below) is considered one of the most prestigious in the Caucasus, despite its recent history. It is known not only for its good certified tracks, but also great opportunities for off-piste skiing. Wonderful landscapes and clean air allow tourists to feel unity with nature, because Gudauri is a combination of pristine beauties and comfortable living conditions. It is usually sunny and relatively sunny, which is why travelers are in a good mood. Despite the high snow cover, the conditions of the natural landscape in Gudauri provide a low probability of avalanches.
Gudauri ski resort: slopes and activities
There are many opportunities for sports entertainment. So, in Gudauri, you can visit the school of alpine skiing and snowboarding, and you also have the opportunity to do off-piste skiing (freeriding), speed riding (a combination of skiing and parachuting), snowkiting (practicing kite and skiing, snowboarding or ice skating), fly paragliding or go skiing (uphill skiing).
The resort is usually divided into new and old parts. However, this does not mean the state of the village itself, but only indicates in which period the area was developed. Active construction is underway in the new Gudauri. Not so long ago, the building of a tourist service center was opened here, as well as an emergency department and a large store. This contributes to a more comfortable, safe vacation in the mountains, and also attracts tourists to the village. Here you can connect to a Wi-Fi wireless network.
You can come to the Gudauri ski resort by car. Reviews of motorists indicate that the roads are in excellent condition, there is a parking space, and there is also a gas station.
State of slopes and lifts
You should definitely come here if you are looking for a ski resort in Georgia. In Gudauri, more than twenty tracks with different levels of difficulty have been erected. Most of them are suitable for beginners who want to learn how to ride or for children. There is an opportunity to ride a snowmobile and at the same time not to interfere with skiers or those who ride a snowboard. The resort also provides for inflatable sledding. Each descent here is located above the forest, is certified and well prepared. The resort provides continuous operation of snowplows, which at night clean more than two hundred hectares of the territory.
Indescribable feelings will be experienced by someone who decides to use heliski - you will be delivered by helicopter to the descent, which is located among the pristine places that were not previously touched. There is also a “backcountry” - at the same time you get yourself on foot. The resort has more than one line of cable cars that potentially serve more than ten thousand people at a time. Their work starts at 10 am and ends at 4 pm. The expensive ropeways are equipped with their own generators, which allows the lift to function smoothly, even if an accident occurs and the power is turned off.
Additional Information
This is really the place that personifies the ski resorts of Georgia - Gudauri. Reviews about him suggest that it is worth a vacation here depending on the category of hotel and the room that you choose. In Gudauri, you can settle in an institution with a pool, tennis court, bowling alley, sauna and massage room. If you wish, then these services are available to all guests at the resort.
Gudauri is a Georgian resort, but you can get to it without difficulty, as the country offers conditions for a visa-free regime. Transport from here comes to cities from close proximity - from Tbilisi, as well as from Kutaisi.
Remember that you must have insurance. Not later than two days before the trip, copies of insurance policies for all tourists who travel with you (including children) are sent to the hotel. These measures are not superfluous, since skiing, which obviously does not exclude the possibility of injury. In this case, you need to get not ordinary insurance (since such a pastime can be considered intentional sabotage). You need to get special ski insurance.