Winter Resorts

Gudauri

Winter and summer resort Gudauri is located in 120 km to the north from Tbilisi, in the Stepantsminda District, Mtskheta-Mtianeti Region, along Georgian Military Highway, at the altitude of about 2.196 m above the sea level. It takes about 2-2.5 hrs by car from Tbilisi airport to drive to Gudauri.

Gudauri offers high quality opportunities for winter sports professionals and amateurs. The area is avalanche safe. The season is from December through April. A growing number of good hotels and guesthouses, cafes and entertainment possibilities attracts guests from all over the world. Every year Gudauri hosts international/national ski races and fun competitions, snowboard sports competitions and sports festivals. Paragliding, ski-touring, snowmobiles and sightseeing tours are new activities popular amongst the youth and experience sportsmen.

Conditions for skiing: total length of groomed ski runs are over 35km. The slopes are suitable for skiers of any experience starting from beginners and ending with experts.

There are five (3 and 4 sits) comfortable ski chair lifts constructed by Austrian company Doppelmayer. The low station of the first ski-lift is located just behind Sport hotel Gudauri at an altitude of 2000m. Ski lifts stations are between the altitude 2000m – 3250m

The first station 2000-2250m; Second 2250 – 2700m; Third 2700-3007m; Forth 2650 – 2860m; Fifth 2850 – 3270m

Various types of  tickets from a day pass to the season passes might be bought at the ski stations.

Unique geological terrain and climatic conditions make Gudauri mountains slopes  the best for both grooming run and deep snow "all-around" skiing.

Helicopter Skiing

Georgia can boast the most extensive helicopter-skiing facilities in the world. Due to the relative under-development of our mountains helicopters have a far greater range and flexibility of choice. They are however still carefully regulated and maintained. Taking off from Gudauri (2000 m), skiers frequently arrive at the bottom reporting some of the longest and most exhilarating runs of their lives…

Bakuriani

A popular resort of four seasons is located in Meskheti-Javakheti province, in Borjomi district, on the northern slope of the Trialeti Range at the elevation of 1.700m above the sea level, in 190 km from Tbilisi. The climate here varies from humid maritime to relatively humid continental. The winters are cold and experience significant snowfall while the summers are long and warm. The depth of snow from December to March is 64cm. The highest mountain of the resort used for skiing is Mt. Kokhta (2.200m). The nearest town is Borjomi (lies in 27km). To reach Bakuriani from Borjomi is possible by an electrical, the 37km Borjomi-Bakuriani narrow gauge rail line called ‘Cuckoo’ or ‘Kukushka’ (built btw. 1898 – 1901). In 1902 – 1910 a high-mountainous Botanical garden was founded her on a Kokhtagora slope.

History

A hunting economy covering 100 hectares was created here in 1932, determined by the fact that the local weather conditions were excellent for breeding purebred foxes. Initially, the economy had just 36 silver foxes, the number of which reached 2,600 by the year 1952.

In 1934 the Society of Proletarian Tourism and Excursion established a ski school and a school of winter sports. The year of 1935 is the birth date of Bakuriani as a ski resort. In 1950 first a 45-meter ski-jump was built here, and then a 75-meter-long one. This attracted even more ski fans.

An excursion center was opened in Bakuriani in 1951 at the initiative of the Tbilisi Tourism-Excursion Branch of the Georgian Trade Unions. In 1954 Bakuriani became home to the first cable-way in former Soviet Union. Until this year the skiers had to walk up the Kokhtagora top and press the ski-track by feet. Electrification of Bakuriani completed in 1960.

Currently Bakuriani undergoes a rebirth: new hotels, cable-ways, and ski-tracks are being built..

Spectacular nature, excellent weather conditions, moderate snow cover, a fabulous forest surrounding the village, attracts visitors all the year round.

Bakuriani in winter is a popular ski resort for amateurs and professionals. In sport school instructors teach skiing children and amateurs. Leasing of sports equipment is possible in Bakuriani as well as in Tbilisi.

Bakuriani provides excellent conditions for the admirers of ski-mountaineering. Sixteen tracks are found here of hard, medium, and easy levels both for beginners, amateurs and professionals. Ski tracks are on Kokhtagora, Didveli, Kokhta 2 (Tatra), 25 with 3 easy tracks. There is a Park area in Bakuriani with the ice-rink for skaters. One can enjoy snowmobiles, toboggans, sledges, quads too. Horses could be rented near the part and near the 25-meter near the skiing area. A number of cafes, bars, restaurants in the center of Bakuriani.

Bakuriani activities in spring, summer and autumn

For those suffering from bronchial sickness Bakuriani  air is healing and perfect in May because of the blossoming of coniferous forests. Cool mountainous climate in summer and mild autumn, interesting trips’ possibilities from Bakuriani like trekking, biking, horse riding, sightseeing – make it a popular resort area.  

Svaneti

Hatsvali is located in a forested area in 8 km from Mestia. All local hotels and guesthouses offer free transfers to the skiing area. The season runs from December or January to about early April. The station has a 300 m beginners’ slope, a 2565 m blue run, a 1900 m red run and a French-built chairlift.

Skiers come to this area to combine skiing, satisfying their gastro needs, enjoying a unique Treasury of Mestia State museum, and looking for adorable nature in the Higher Caucasus.

Please, kindly contact us for the best available prices at: info@promotegeorgoa.com