Winter in Georgia is unbeatably fun and beautiful, and there are several exciting ski resorts in the country where you can go skiing and snowboarding, relax, rid yourself of the daily grind and breathe deep of some much-needed fresh air.
The most popular destinations for winter vacations are Bakuriani, Gudauri, Svaneti, Racha and Kazbegi.
For more detailed information, let us guide you through Georgia’s best ski resorts:
BAKURIANI
Bakuriani is located in the Borjomi district, 1700 m above sea level, 180 km to the north of the capital Tbilisi.
Accommodation
The resort offers many wonderful places to stay, including Snow King Hotel located in the heart of Bakuriani, Hotel My House in Bakuriani, 600 meters from the center, Hilltop Bakuriani offering breathtaking mountain views, and Hotel Villa Palace 50 m from a ski lift to the Kokhta Mountain, which also boasts a spacious restaurant serving Georgian and European cuisine.
How to get there
Take the train from Tbilisi Railway Station to Borjomi Railway Station then from Borjomi to Bakuriani on the famous “Kukushka” steam engine); by minibus from Tbilisi; by minibus from Kutaisi Bus Station.
GUDAURI
Alpine resort Gudauri is located in the Stepantsminda district, 120 km to the north of the capital Tbilisi. The resort offers high quality skiing opportunities from December to the end of April.
Accommodation
There are several cozy and comfortable hostels and guest houses offering accommodation in Gudauri, for instance, hostel Snow House, 800 m from the GoodAura Ski Lift; Hotel Toni, featuring ski-to-door access, a restaurant and a bar; Monte Gudauri hotel and restaurant, located a 3-minute drive from ski lifts; and Edelweiss Hotel and restaurant in Upper Gudauri, 150 m from the Tatra ski lift and 1 km from the GoodAura ski lift.
How to get there
A minibus from Tbilisi Didube Station to Gudauri will set you back around 7 GEL.
SVANETI
Surrounded by 5000 m peaks, Svaneti is one of Georgia’s most historic and unique areas located in the northwestern part of the country. In Svaneti, there are two modern ski resorts: Hatsvali and Tetnuldi.
HATSVALI
Accommodation
Hotel Hatsvali, located near Mestia, the main regional center of Zemo (Upper) Svaneti, offers affordable prices and amazing views.
How to get there
Train from Tbilisi Railway Station to Zugdidi Railway Station
Tbilisi – Zugdidi
08:00 – 13:20 – 13 GEL
Minibus from Zugdidi Railway Station to Mestia
Zugdidi – Mestia – 15 GEL
Minibus from Tbilisi Railway Station to Mestia:
Tbilisi – Mestia – 30 GEL
Small Plane from Tbilisi International Airport Station to Mestia:
Tbilisi – Mestia – 75 GEL
TETNULDI
Tetnuldi resort has been operating in Svaneti since February 2016. It can be reached from Mestia town by taxi or shuttle bus from your hotel. 25 km of trails await you throughout the area. The longest trail is 9.5 km.
The resort offers 4 ski lifts, 30 km of ski runs, 8 ski runs– intermediate, advanced and expert, heli-ski, freeriding, ski tours and off-piste.
While visiting Tetnuldi, you might want to stay at the cozy hotel Chalet Mestia, featuring a bar, shared lounge and views of mountain, located in Mestia, 700 meters from Museum of History and Ethnography.
How to get there
Train from Tbilisi Railway Station to Zugdidi Railway Station
Tbilisi – Zugdidi -13 GEL
Minibus from Zugdidi Railway Station to Mestia
Zugdidi – Mestia – 15 GEL
Minibus from Tbilisi Railway Station to Mestia:
Tbilisi – Mestia – 30 GEL
Small Plane from Natakhtari Airport to Mestia:
Tbilisi – Mestia – 75 GEL
RACHA
Racha is a highland area in western Georgia, located in the upper Rioni river valley and surrounded by the Greater Caucasus Mountains.
Racha is notable for its small remote “paradise,” the beautiful village of Gona, which can also be called the “Little Switzerland” and is located in Oni Municipality. Gona represents the main district of the larger Gebi village, but is located higher, on the southern slopes of Great Caucasus Mountains, surrounded by snowy peaks.
Accommodation
Although there is only one European Standard hotel in Oni region (it works seasonally), there are plenty of small family hotels with cozy and comfortable environment, with prices starting from 15 GEL per day.
How to get there
You can reach the region by minibus from Tbilisi railway station. One way tickets cost approximately 15-20 GEL.
KAZBEGI - JUTA
The small village of Juta, located in Kazbegi Municipaity, is another pearl of remote Georgia. It is especially beautiful in winter, with its snow-covered mountains that create a fairy tale environment.
From Juta, a 5 km hike will take you to Mount Chaukhi and the view is worth every step. There are 2 camping spots on the way, Zeta Camping and 5 Seasons, where you can chill and taste really good local cuisine.
Accommodation
Here, the Rooms Hotel Kazbegi might be the perfect destination for your stay. Located at the base of Kazbegi Mountain in Stepantsminda village, 7 km from the 14th-century Gergeti Trinity Church, Hotel Kazbegi features a lobby bar with a library and free Wi-Fi and indescribably good views.
Hotel Stancia Kazbegi is also a good choice, with a restaurant, bar, a shared lounge and garden in Stepantsminda. Boasting family rooms, this property also provides guests with a terrace.
Kazbegi Guest House features ski-to-door access and a ski pass sales point, as well as a shared lounge and a garden.
How to get there
From Didube metro station take a minibus to Kazbegi. 10 GEL will get you there. There’s no schedule of when the minibus will leave. You just have to wait until the minibus fills up and then it will set off to Kazbegi. The journey will take around 3 hours.