Skiing holidays in fabulous Georgian mountains!

As the winter season is at its very beginning, I would like to share useful information about another famous and well-equipped ski resort on Caucasian land. It is Gudauri – a growing in recent years mountain resort on the southern slopes of Caucasus Mountains in Georgia, charming guests with great opportunities for outdoor activities in the mountains, amazing scenery and friendly atmosphere. Unlike most other ski resorts in Caucasus, Gudauri is equipped with the latest technologies. Most recent infrastructure was built by Austrians, including 4* hotel “Sport Hotel-Club Gudauri” and Dopelmaer ski lifts.

The resort is situated near the Cross Pass (2379 m above sea level) and 43 km from the second highest peak of Georgia – Kazbegi mountain (5033 m.). Gudauri is located on a small plateau at an altitude of 1900 – 2200 meters above sea level, along the Georgian Military Highway, 120 kilometers from Tbilisi and 79 kilometers from Vladikavkaz.

How to get there? By plane to Tbilisi. Then by two hour drive (120 km) along the picturesque Georgian Military Road through Pasanauri and Kumlistsihe – to Gudauri.

Snow season usually begins in December and lasts until mid-April (sometimes until May). The average thickness of the snow cover in winter reaches 1.5 meters.

Despite the fact that the resort is located high in the mountains, typical for Gudauri weather is warm, sunny and quiet.

Gudauri ski resort offers great opportunities for both beginners and professionals. With its high and free from vegetation mountains Gudauri is a perfect destination for free-ride lovers. High and prolonged slopes can bring a lot of fun for those who had overcome his fear and dared to conquer them.

Trails:

The total length of groomed slopes is 57 km. The highest point of trails is on Sadzele  mountain – 3267 m, the lowest – 2050 m. The difference in height at the resort is 1200 meters. Length of free-ride tracks cannot be measured – many kilometers of huge fields of Gudauri slopes offer hundreds of variations for free-ride.

Trails are groomed regularly. The longest groomed trail is 7 km. There are slalom, giant slalom, super giant and downhill trails. Ski lifts work from 10 AM to 17 PM and are equipped with emergency diesel generators.  All the tracks are FIS-certified.

In winter Gudauri can daily accommodate up to 2000 residents, and the capacity of five Dopelmayer ski lifts is of 4000 people. This difference is the reason for the lack of queues at the lifts.

There are five lines of Doppelmayer triple and quad chairlifts with length from 1010 m to 2310 m. Besides that for visitors’ convenience there is a training yoke 600m long (a plate), 2 Baby lifts, the longest in Caucasus gondola lift Poma with length of 2800 meters and capacity of 8 people, SunKid people mover of  300m.  For skiers disposal there are ski instructors, children’s ski school and rent of equipment in the ski resort.

Prices in Gudauri:

The cost of ski pass – $ 15 per day.

Dinner for two people with wine at a restaurant about 20$.

Taxi within Gudauri about 9$.

Wifi along the lifts is free for anyone who purchased a ski pass for a day or more. Furthermore, ski pass cost includes health insurance for the entire period of ski pass validity!

Apres-Ski and other recreation. European and Georgian cuisine, the opportunity to taste Georgian wine with five thousand years of history.

Sporting opportunities of the region. Well-developed helicopter skiing (Heli-Ski). Also climbing, paragliding, indoor swimming pool, two indoor tennis courts, two bowling alleys, sauna, massage.

I believe this post to give sufficient and useful information for everybody thinking of going to ski in Gudauri. At least you have a general idea and the rest you can check yourself while conquering the snowy slopes of Gudauri!

Photos from sources: flytravelge.ru, travel.biletyplus.ru, g-v-c.info, actionbrothers.ru, antonskischool.com.ua, phototravel.dp.ua