In summer, most people look forward to relaxing by the sea, while in winter, many take a vacation to go skiing. But here’s the interesting part: many enthusiasts of this sport are well acquainted with European resorts but have never been to Georgia.
Meanwhile, the ski resorts of Georgia are simply paradise. Pristine natural beauty, the Caucasus Mountains, excellent slopes of all difficulty levels, modern lifts. And in the evenings – unparalleled Georgian feasts, national dishes, and famous wines. So, which ski resorts in this country are the most popular?
Gudauri
This resort is located on the picturesque Georgian Military Highway, on the slopes of the Greater Caucasus Range. The distance from Tbilisi is about 120 km. There are excellent slopes here, with a total length of about 60 km, the longest being 7 km. Skiers can start from a height of 3260 m or 2050 m. There are slopes suitable for both beginners and expert skiers.
All slopes are well-maintained, with no hidden trees or bushes under the snow. So skiing is convenient and safe, just like in Europe. The lifts operate from 10 a.m., when it is already light, until 4 p.m., until dusk. On weekends, the cable car closes later. Besides skiing, you can try such extreme entertainment as paragliding (with an instructor, of course) in Gudauri.
Bakuriani
This resort is famous for several reasons. First, you can rest here all year round. The service level in the hotels is very decent, and the surrounding nature is exceptionally beautiful. In summer, you can rent a bicycle or ride a special trolley that goes down the rails.
Second, even beginner skiers feel comfortable in Bakuriani. Besides active recreation, you can enjoy the views from one of the observation decks.
For skiing, you should choose one of the three main zones:
- Didveli. Using the cable car, you can reach a height of about 2700 m. In this zone, there is also a café where you can use Wi-Fi.
- Kokhta. Slightly lower, about 2150 m. An excellent observation deck. You can get to the top using chair lifts.
- Kokhta 2. The highest point is located at about 2260 m.
Additionally, there are zones for children and those who are just mastering the basics of skiing. There are lifts here as well, although the slopes are not long and quite gentle. Skiing here is safe even for small children.
Tetnuldi
Tetnuldi is the name of a mountain in Svaneti, which translates to “white mountain.” The place is also popular all year round. In summer, you can often see tourists on hikes, and in winter, skiers arrive. The resort bears the same name.
Thanks to its convenient location and modern amenities, it quickly gained popularity. Prices here are quite democratic, but the slopes will not disappoint even professional skiers. They are laid out on the slopes of Mount Tetnuldi. The highest point is about 3160 m.
It is planned that in the future, this will be the longest slope in Georgia. There is already a cable lift (built by the French) to a slope that is 3.5 km long. The proximity of the resort to glaciers gives Tetnuldi another advantage – the ski season here lasts longer than anywhere else in Georgia. It is also worth noting the well-developed modern infrastructure.
Goderdzi
This resort is located in Adjara. One of its advantages is that you can combine two pleasures at once – visit the Black Sea coast of Georgia and then drive to the ski resort in a couple of hours.
An important point – even before the resort itself was established – guests of Georgia loved to visit the area of modern Goderdzi. A beautiful place with a wonderful climate. And now there are modern slopes suitable for both beginners and experienced skiers.
While skiing, you can admire the mesmerizing landscapes. Thanks to the proximity of the sea, there is always enough precipitation here, and there are no problems with snow. The cable road is modern, with two levels: cabins on the first level and chairs on the second level. You can rent skis and sleds, and beginners should book lessons with an experienced instructor. However, there are practically no shops at the resort, so don’t count on shopping.
Hatsvali
You can already get vivid impressions on the way to this resort. There are two ways to get here: either by car on a scenic mountain road or by renting a plane in Tbilisi.
Probably nowhere else will you get such an impressive panorama, where you can simultaneously see the four highest peaks of the Caucasus. The service here is still gaining momentum, but beautiful nature, the friendliness of the locals, delicious food, and excellent slopes – what else do you need for a great vacation?
There are three main slopes here: “green,” “blue,” and “red.” The highest point is 2346 m. The lifts operate until 4 p.m. in winter and until 6 p.m. in March and April. For accommodation, there are hotels and several guest houses. Most of them offer two or three meals a day.
When Does the Ski Season Start
It is officially considered that the ski season starts in the second half of December and lasts until the end of March. In reality, things are a bit different. In recent years, there has been so much precipitation that there is plenty of snow at the ski resorts of Georgia already in November.
Skiers start arriving from the beginning of December. But there are not many entertainments at this time yet: only skiing, snowboarding, and sledding. And, of course, lessons and walks in the surroundings.
The resorts start to “light up” in anticipation of the New Year, and the main entertainment program lasts from the end of December to the end of February. Let’s not forget that February is student vacation time, and young people come to the mountains.
In March, the fun starts to die down. This is a good time to visit Georgia with the whole family: the weather is pleasant, there is no excessive hustle and bustle, and there is still plenty of snow. In April, the ski season ends, and life in the villages quiets down until the next December.
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