Gudauri at a glance
Gudauri’s entire resort lies above the treeline, with open terrain for freeride and ski touring. Our guided Gudauri trips mix freeride and touring to suit your group’s ability.
- Elevation
- 1,990 to 3,307 m
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Terrain
- The whole resort is above the treeline
- Season
- About December 20-April 15
- From Tbilisi
- About 2.5 hours by road
- From Kutaisi
- About 4.5 hours by road
- From Batumi
- About 6.5 hours by road
Gudauri ski map: lifts and runs
Gudauri has 17 lifts plus two magic carpets: 4 gondolas, 9 chairlifts and 4 platter lifts. Use the Gudauri ski map to find the lifts and pistes, including the Kobi run.
Ski lifts
Gondolas (4)
- Goodaura
- Firni
- Kobi
- Truso
Chairlifts (9)
- Pirveli: six-seat
- Shino: six-seat
- Soliko: six-seat bubble
- Kudebi: six-seat bubble
- New Goodaura: six-seat bubble, opened December 2023
- Kikilo: six-seat bubble, opened December 2023
- Sadzele: four-seat
- Snow Park: three-seat
- Khada: three-seat
Platter lifts (4)
- Alpina
- Zuma
- Baby
- Bombora
Magic carpets (2)
- New Gudauri
- Snow Park
The Kobi gondolas (Firni, Kobi and Truso) link Gudauri over Kobi Pass to the road at Kobi. New Goodaura and Kikilo are the two newest chairs.
Runs by colour
Run names and colours below follow the resort’s December 2023 piste map. Zuma, Baby and Bombora are beginner areas, not runs. Check the current resort map and posted closures before setting out.
| Run |
|---|
| Pirveli |
| Snow Park |
| Run |
|---|
| Tatra 1 |
| Tatra 2 |
| Soliko 1 |
| Soliko 2 |
| Sportuli 1 |
| Sportuli 2 |
| Goodaura (top link) |
| Goodaura 1 |
| Goodaura 2 |
| New Goodaura |
| Kikilo 1 |
| Kikilo 2 |
| Khada |
| Firni 1 |
| Firni 2 |
| Kobi |
| Kobi 2 |
| Run |
|---|
| Kudebi 1 |
| Kudebi 2 |
| Kudebi 3 |
| Sadzele 3 |
| Run |
|---|
| Sadzele 1 |
| Sadzele 2 |
Beyond the groomed runs
- Freeride areas: Mt. Chrdili, Mt. Kudebi, Mt. Sadzele and Mt. Bidara.
- Terrain park: by the Snow Park chair.
- Snowmaking: 29 snow cannons, covering approximately 15% of the slopes.
Ski passes and rental
Passes are sold at the bottom of every lift. For a pass of three days or more, everyone needs to be present to have their photo taken. Prices change each season, so ask us for the current ones when you plan your trip.
Rental shops are spread throughout Gudauri. You can rent skis, snowboards, boots, poles, helmets, goggles, jackets and trousers. Bring your own gloves, as rental supplies often run out.
- New Gudauri: Aviator Ski Rental, with English-speaking staff.
- Gudauri Center: Marco Polo Ski Rent, or Mogzauri Rental Shop when the morning queue is long.
Freeride and off-piste terrain
Chrdili, Kudebi, Sadzele and Bidara are the four freeride areas to look for on the map. The whole resort is above the treeline, so the terrain is open.
Our Gudauri trips combine guided freeride and ski touring, tailored to your group’s ability.
Access from a lift does not make an off-piste slope controlled terrain. Read the avalanche safety and rescue advice before heading out.
Ski lessons and a day of guided freeriding
Vagabond Ski School is the highest rated English-speaking ski school in Gudauri. Go to them for lessons or a single guided day. They also have a Gudauri guide for learners.
Ski lessons
One-to-one with an instructor, or a private group of 2 to 4. Choose a half day (2.5 hours) or a full day (5 hours). Beginners to advanced skiers, with English-speaking instructors.
Snowboard lessons
The same formats for snowboarders: individual or private group of 2 to 4, half day or full day, first timers to advanced riders.
One-day guided freeriding
A full day on the mountain with a certified, English-speaking freeride guide, in small groups. For advanced skiers and snowboarders aged 14 and over. A beacon, shovel and probe are required, and the school can arrange rental.
A multi-day freeride trip is our Gudauri Guided Freeride package.
Ski touring and Kazbegi
Gudauri has backcountry terrain beyond the resort for ski touring. Touring can be part of your guided Gudauri freeride trip. We take you touring with a certified guide to five spots.
- Chrdili. The mountain is 2,504 m. The resort’s piste map marks avalanche-prone areas on its slopes, so we go with a certified guide.
- Sadzele. At 3,307 m it is the highest point of the ski area, and its west top is 3,276 m. The piste map marks avalanche-prone areas around it too.
- Bidara. Bidara is 3,174 m, north of Gudauri beside Kobi Pass. We start from the top of the Kobi gondolas at Kobi Pass, at about 2,900 m. The eastern side brings you back to the Gudauri lifts. The western descent ends at the Georgian Military Highway and needs a car pickup. It is for experienced off-piste skiers, from January to April, and the piste map marks avalanche-prone slopes around it.
- Lomisa Monastery. Lomisa is a medieval St George shrine on the ridge above Mleta, at about 2,200 m. Its oldest church dates to the 9th or 10th century, and pilgrims gather for Lomisoba on the Wednesday after Pentecost. The tour climbs through forest from Mleta (about 1,470 m) and skis back to the village, about 750 to 800 m in a day.
- Kudebi to the Khada Valley. From the top of Kudebi (3,006 m) you can ski 1,000 m or more down into the Khada Valley, a quiet gorge of old stone towers and summer villages that meets the highway at Kvesheti. A car brings you back to Gudauri. The piste map marks avalanche-prone ground east of Kudebi.
Stepantsminda, also known as Kazbegi, sits below Mt. Kazbek. For ski tourers visiting Kazbegi, AltiHut is a mountain hut at 3,014 m below the Gergeti Glacier.
Snowshoeing
For a day away from skiing, Gudauri also has snowshoe routes through the surrounding winter mountains.
When to come for powder
The season runs from about December 20-April 15, depending on snow. Early to mid March is our pick for the best snow, with more sun and fewer crowds than the peak weeks.
- Quieter, with good snow: mid to late January, late February, and early to mid March, particularly on weekdays.
- Busiest: New Year and Orthodox Christmas (late December to early January), the February school holidays, and late March.
Exact dates shift from year to year. Treat these as planning patterns, not a promise of empty lifts or fresh snow.
Avalanche safety and rescue
Gudauri has no avalanche service. Before riding off-piste, check avalanche.ge and assess the conditions with your guide. Carry a transceiver, shovel and probe, and make sure your insurance covers off-piste skiing or snowboarding and rescue.
- Choose terrain that matches your ability and follow posted rules and closures.
- Emergency number: 112.
- Helicopter rescue: +995 32 2243 503, +995 595 350 900, +995 595 404 606.
- The road beyond Gudauri toward Kazbegi can close during snowstorms.
Medical and practical
The clinic next to the police station in Lower Gudauri can provide initial care, but it is not equipped for serious injuries. Serious care requires travel to Tbilisi. There is a pharmacy by the SPAR in New Gudauri.
- Pick up a Magti SIM card at the airport arrivals hall.
- Taking a taxi within the resort? Agree the fare before the ride.
- If you are comfortable on intermediate runs, you can get around by lift during the day. Use taxis after the lifts close.
Where to stay and eat
New Gudauri is a convenient base for apartments near the slopes, restaurants and bars. Gudauri Center has hotel options such as Marco Polo, with a spa and family facilities.
Restaurants by area
- Upper Gudauri: Dariali, near the Edelweiss and Retro hotels.
- New Gudauri: Mta Vartsla, Drunk Cherry and Gamarjoba.
- Gudauri Center: Gagieti and Truso.
- Lower Gudauri / Kumlistsikhe: Khreki.
For a spa or bathhouse after skiing, look at Marco Polo, Tsar Bani, Carpe Diem or Gudauri Loft.