Gudauri
Gudauri is a ski resort located on the southern slopes of The Great Caucasus Mountain Range in Georgia, 120 km (75 mi) to the north of the capital Tbilisi. The resort is located in the Stepantsminda District, along the Georgian Military Highway near the Cross Pass, at the elevation of 2,196 meters (7,200 ft.) above sea level. The trip from Tbilisi to Gudauri usually takes two hours by car.
The resort offers high quality skiing opportunities.The slopes of Gudauri are completely above the tree line and are best for free-riders and are generally considered to be avalanche-safe. The ski season lasts from December to April. Heliskiing is also available throughout the season.
Heliskiing
Heliskiing provides skiers with access to some of the finest powder-snow in the Caucasus. With helicopters granted almost unrestricted access to local mountains, skiers can experience some of the most sublime runs in Europe - at the altitudes between 1,500 and 4,200 meters above sea level.
The helicopters drop clients off on mountain tops, glaciers, fabulous ridges, and in the hands of highly experienced guides.
Speed riding and paragliding
Gudauri is one of the best places in Georgia for speed-riding and paragliding.
Here you can learn Speed Riding. Increase level of speed-riding by experienced instructors or ride on a para-glide with experienced instructors.
Routes and lifts
Gudauri contains several routes and lifts. The first, lower lift station is at 1,990 m above sea level and the last, top station is at 3,306 m, called Sadzele. The lifts are by Doppelmayr. The first lift is 1,010 m long (three chairs), the second is 2,310 m long (four seats) and the third is 1,060 m long (three seats). Over the past few years the resort has consistently been adding new chair lifts, the most recent construction includes a speed Gondola. The lifts usually serve from 10:00 to 17:00
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world is awesome
Photo by P.Liparteliani
Cheapest heliski option in Europe
Soviet Friendship Memorial
Bakuriani Ski Resort
Located at 1,700 m in Borjomi region of Georgia, Bakuriani is nestled in the shadows of the breathtaking Caucasus Mountains, only a three-hour drive from Tbilisi. Home to dozens of alpine slopes and cross-country trails. It offers some of the most spectacular skiing and snowboarding in Europe. Originally developed as an Olympic training facility, unsurprisingly, Bakuriani is Georgia’s most popular winter sports and recreation destination. Enjoy the downhill ski runs, cross-country trails, horseback tours, sledding or simply take long walks through beautiful snowy forests.
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There are several main trails in Bakuriani:
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Kokhta ski pistes are opened since Decembr 2015. 3,1 km of ski piste is perfect for intermediate and professional skiers.
1 bubble ski lift for 6 person with the middle station (1930 m) is totally new and is ready to accept its' visitors. The bottom station of Kokhta ski lift is 1740 m, as for the top station - it is 2180 m.
Twenty-five is the area of easy skiing located on the Circular, near the old 25 meter ski-jump which gives the area its name. Beginners and children can learn to ski in a safe and pleasant environment, surrounded by mighty Caucasus mountains. You can also toboggan and sledge here, or take a horse drawn sleigh-ride through ancient forests.
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Didveli has one of the most amazing trails. From here you can catch a gondola to the slopes of Mt. Sakvelo, and ski a range of blue and red routes. The longest piste is around 4 km long. Advanced skiers can continue further up to the mountain by catching a chairlift at the top of the gondola to almost the very top of Mt. Sakvelo. Here, you can enjoy stretching your ski-legs on very steep and difficult red and black runs.
Mitarbi mountain resort, located only four kilometers away from Bakuriani winter resort, is starting a new life after a 30 year break. In the 1980-s development of mountain ski resort infrastructure was planned in Mitarbi. There is a perfect natural condition for that purpose, stable snow covers and mountain slopes of pertinent tilt. December 2016 new Mitarbi-Kokhta ski-lift was re-opened with new and high quality ski lifts, attracting nature lovers.
Other activities:
Bakuriani’s cross-country trails attract experts as well as beginners. Two of the most challenging runs begin on Mt. Kokhta (2,155 m) and Mt. Didveli. If skating is your winter pastime, Bakuriani offers plenty of opportunities, among them is Bakuriani Park and the rink at the Hotel Edem. The hills and the valleys around Bakuriani are ideal for snowmobiling, but if you prefer to get around the old-fashioned way, horse- drawn sleighs are the traditional mode of winter transportation in Bakuriani. So, for a romantic treat, take a romantic sleigh-ride around the picturesque village. Also, there are numerous mineral springs nearby. Many of those, such as Mitarbi, Likani, and Bakuriani, are easy to find in any market place of Georgia. Apart from winter activities, Bakuriani provides an excellent opportunity for health treatment. In a close proximity to the resort, there are hot springs in Tsikhisjvari village and famous Borjomi resort 25 km from Bakuriani, deep in Spruce-fir forest with its' mineral springs, popular among Russian royal families and the favorite place of Joseph Stalin. Ride on "Kukushka" old style train and pass the Eiffel bridge built by Gustave Eiffel in 1902 commissioned by Russian royal family of Romanov in France.
Svanetian Tetnuldi and Hatsvali
Svaneti, one of the most authentic and beautiful corners of Georgia, so different from the rest of the country. It is not surprising that it is a popular summertime holiday destination. Nowadays most tourists are looking forward to mountains, not to valleys… And mountains are becoming more and more appealing also in wintertime. Surrounded by mighty 5000 m peaks, Svaneti is one of Georgia’s most historic and unique areas and a real skiers’ dream. Until recent years, Svaneti was best known for its superb house-towers, most of them dating back to the X-XII centuries, which line the valleys and served as look-out posts against the threat of invasion. The ancient towers belong to UNESCO World Heritage List.
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Tetnuldi is the second biggest national winter resort after Gudauri, operating since February 2016. It is located at the same-name mountain which overlooks Mulakhi village full of X-XII century residential towers and Mount Ushba (4700 m.). Ushba is a paragon of natural beauty and complexity among the Caucasus Mountains, similar to Matterhorn (4478 m.) in Alps.. Three POMA lifts will deliver you to the altitude from 1600 m to 3165 m. Skiing on Tetnuldi is a great pleasure for landscape lovers as far as it is surrounded with high peaks and mountains all over around. The trails have different difficulty levels. Total length is 25 km, and the longest one is 9.5 km. The ski lifts operate from 10:00 to 16:00 yet. As the resort is very fresh, the accommodation and après-ski (after skiing) is still in process of development. Enjoy the day and stay in Mestia overnight.
When you are not skiing, enjoy your time exploring Mestia, local slow cuisine, well preserved ancient culture and a great museum treasure trove of exquisite icons and artifacts gathered from Svaneti’s many remote churches and villages, preserved in this natural mountainous fortress during centuries.
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Hatsvali started operating several years ago. It is located 8 km from the central village of Svaneti, Mestia. The upper cable car station is located on Mount Zuruldi (2347 m). Here you can try local cuisine in the highest restaurant of Georgia .
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Currently, there are three runs: Red (1900 m), Blue (2600 m) and the trail for beginners (300 m). Basically, skiers of every level can enjoy one of the world’s most picturesque resorts. Free-ride and ski tour lovers will also find good slopes and new challenges for themselves.
Goderdzi Ski resort
In December 2015 a new ski resort Goderdzi was opened in the mountainous Ajara. First of all it is attractive to those, who want to combine a trip to the sea and skiing during winter vacation.
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If you drive or take a bus from Batumi, the central city of Adjara region, you will reach Goderdzi in 2 hours. The resort is not big yet. Two gondola lifts are operating. The highest point is 2390 m above sea level, the altitude difference is around 690 m. Daily ski pass will cost you 25 Lari (approximately 12 USD).
At the resort you can stay in the hotel or in cottages – but like we said, the resort is still developing and the accomodation places are not a lot yet, so better to take care of our accommodation in advance. Equipment rental is available on spot. Goderdzi is good as for skiing and boarding at the prepared pistes, as well as for free-ride. Winters are usually snowy, so you will not have problems with finding fresh powder at the slopes of Goderdzi.
