Ski resort Gudauri (Georgia): photos, reviews

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

The name Gudauri belongs to the village - a small center of tourism. The ski resort of the same name is located on the slopes of the Greater Caucasus Range (Georgia, Kazbegi municipality). This place is located near the famous VGD (Georgian Military Road), near the equally famous Cross Pass (its height is 2379 meters above sea level).

From Tbilisi to Gudauri about 120 km, which is about 2 hours by car.

The ski season here starts in December and lasts until April. In winter, the thickness of the snow cover in these wonderful mountainous places is 1.5 meters. The snow resort of Gudauri (Georgia) is quite widely known and popular with skiers.

Ski resort photos

Skiing in Gudauri is a great pleasure. All conditions for lovers of winter outdoor activities are created here: 7 lifts, slopes with a total length of about 57 kilometers, countless trailsfor lovers of virgin fields (freeriders).

The height of the resort is approximately 2200 meters, the length of the lifts is more than 3200 meters. Due to the location of the slopes of the resort on the south side of the mountains, sunny weather most often prevails here. Therefore, in the Gudauri resort, the winter season starts earlier and ends later than in other famous European resorts.

The tracks are equipped with modern lifts. The lowest station is located at an altitude of 1990 m, and the upper one is 3307 meters (these are the highest points of the Sadzele and Kudebi mountains).

Gudauri attracts not only with modern mountain trails. Georgia is famous for the remarkable ancient history of these places, which can be found in more detail in this article below.

History

In various sources of the 18th-19th centuries there are often references to Gudauri and the Cross Pass (in the works of A. Dumas, M. Yu. Lermontov, Nikolai Nefediev, and so on.). They are associated with the passage of the most important transport route in this area back in those ancient times. Many literary scholars believe that Gudauri is one of the possible sources for the appearance of the name of Prince Gudal in Lermontov's "Demon".

There are also surviving photographs of the tunnel located on the Gudauri-Kobi section, Gudauri post station I.

There is also a drawing made by Lermontov M. Yu. called "Ruins on the banks of the Aragva", depicting a mystical castle-fortress, in appearance and descriptions reminiscent of a place in the upper reaches of the river. White Aragvi(the opposite side from Gudauri is the gorge). The serpentine of Mletsky is described in the notes of the great writer Alexander Dumas.

The Gudauri ski resort (Georgia) began to develop from 1975-1985. and gradually continues to this day.

Piste infrastructure

The pistes here are very diverse and always in excellent condition, they are processed every day (scraping).

Gudauri (Georgia) is the perfect place for those who want to learn how to ride. To do this, there is a gentle slope (4th stage), which is the most suitable route for beginners and children, and in general for lovers of calm skiing.

All lifts are high-speed with the presence of three and four chairs (except for the older one, located in the first stage). There is also a gondola cable car, the length of which is 2800 meters.

It's especially good here when it's fluffy big snow. I would like to note that very pleasant sensations arise when at this moment you are riding in a closed cable car cabin.

Ski slopes

According to official data, the elevation difference on the slopes of Gudauri (Georgia) is approximately 1200 meters.

There is here, in addition to the usual ones, and a training slope with a small lift (rope). Its length is about 600 meters. The length of its descent is 7000 meters. For lovers of slalom, there are also wonderful tracks: downhill, super giant and giant slalom. Moreover, all the tracks are certified, competitions are often held on them.

In total, Gudauri canup to 2,000 ski lovers can settle simultaneously, the capacity of all existing cable cars is 4,000 people.

The main attraction of the Gudauri slopes is that right from the cable cars you can immediately get to the untouched and untrodden fabulous snowfields. This can most often be felt if you are not too lazy and go to the track early in the morning. And with the help of a guide, you can go on the backcountry (hiking to the peaks) and leave your mark where few people go.

Impressions

About Gudauri (Georgia) reviews are mostly positive and most enthusiastic. The only drawback, according to some vacationers, is the high cost of living, despite the fact that the cost of skiing on the slopes is affordable.

Recently, a jumping bag (AirBag) has been installed near the gondola lift. Several lines of the snow park were built under the 3rd stage: for pros with big air and for beginners. There is also a great opportunity to experience the pleasure of paragliding with an instructor.

Thanks to such changes and improvements, the flow of tourists to the resort of Gudauri (Georgia) is increasing every year.

How to get there?

There are two ways to get to Gudauri: along the Georgian Military Highway by car or by plane to Tbilisi. From Tbilisi and Vladikavkaz, you can go by taxi, by bus or use private cars.

Kazbegi isthe very first settlement in Georgia after crossing the border with Russia. There is such a not very good moment: it is impossible to get to Gudauri from this place in case of a closed pass. Therefore, the best way is to fly by plane to Tbilisi, from where you can always get to the mountains by any transport.