The Gudauri ski resort is a relatively young Georgian resort, which is at the stage of its development. Today it is the most promising resort in the Caucasus.
The development of the Gudauri resort began in 1982, when Austrian investors became interested in its chic natural opportunities. It was they who built the first hotel and several lifts in these places. Since then, the resort of Gudauri began to rapidly gain popularity among both Georgian residents and foreigners.
Despite the fact that the Gudauri ski resort is located at an altitude of 2153 meters above sea level, there are practically no strong winds on its territory. It is almost always sunny and calm here. In January, the air temperature ranges from -5 to -7 degrees below zero. The skiing season usually opens officially at the end of December and lasts until April, but the snow cover in the resort lies from November to May.
Resort characteristics (piste, heights, slopes, lifts, etc.)
To date, the resort of Gudauri has twenty-two tracks, the total length of which is more than fifty kilometers. The trails are located on the slopes of the mountains Sadzele, whose height is 3268 meters and 3307 meters, and Kudebi with a height of 3006 meters. The elevation difference in these places is 1200 meters. Tracks Gudauri resorts differ in the degree of complexity. They can conditionally be classified as:
- blue- gently sloping wide trails without any bumps and ledges, ideal for beginners;
- red- high-speed slopes with sharp turns for experienced skiers;
- black- tracks for real professionals.
The length of the longest descent in the resort of Gudauri is seven kilometers. All tracks are processed every night with the help of snowcats, and one of them is equipped with snow cannons. In the resort of Gudauri, you can find tracks for slalom, giant slalom and super-giant, as well as cross-country skiing and downhill skiing.
Lifts in Gudauri. The resort is served by five lines of the Austrian brand Doppelmayer chairlift:
- three-seat "Pirveli" with a length of 1053 meters, which is illuminated in the evening;
- high-speed four-seat "Soliko" with a length of 2295 meters;
- three-seat "Kudebi" with a length of 1063 meters, leading to the top of the mountain of the same name;
- three-seat "Snow Park" with a length of 1104 meters;
- four-seat "Sadzele" with a length of 1504 meters, with which you can reach the top of the mountain of the same name.
Since 2012, the Poma gondola cable car, called "Gudauri", has also appeared in the resort. Its length is 2800 meters, and its capacity is ten people. At the same time, a tow lift 600 meters long and two baby lifts were installed on the Zuma training slope, and a jogging track and a 300-meter long tubing track were put into operation.
In winter, the ski lifts are open from 10:00 to 17:00. Every Saturday from 20:00 to 22:00, guests of the resort are offered evening skiing on one of the slopes.
Sprawling virgin fields, ideal for off-piste skiing, make many tourists prefer Gudauri to the most famous alpine resorts.
In addition to skiing, the Gudauri resort has conditions for practicing such extreme sports as backcountry, heliboarding or heli-skiing, speed riding and paragliding.
Complex infrastructure
In addition to excellent opportunities for skiing, Gudauri resort can offer its visitors a variety of leisure activities. Here is the real a Russian wood-burning sauna, an ultra-modern spa center with a sauna, a swimming pool and a jacuzzi, as well as a masseur's office. Guests can play billiards, bowling or tennis.
Guests of the resort are offered meals in several restaurants, among which you can find both truly chic establishments and cozy cafes with affordable prices. Between the first and second lift you will find restaurant "Carpe Diem", which is ready to please you with delicious dishes of both European and national Georgian cuisine.
Restaurant MAGI Style located on the first floor of the house of the same name. It is characterized by a combination of Ukrainian and Georgian cuisine with the addition of some European dishes. There is a cozy atmosphere here, and the prices surprise with their affordability. For visitors with children, the restaurant provides a special children's play corner, where a professional nanny is present from 10 am to 4 pm. Every Tuesday evening at the MAGI Style restaurant you can listen to lectures on avalanche safety completely free of charge.
European and Georgian cuisine can be enjoyed in restaurant "Marco Polo", which is equipped with a sun terrace, as well as in restaurant "A la Carte", from the windows of which you can admire the breathtaking view of the picturesque mountain landscapes.
No one will be indifferent to the elegant atmosphere restaurant "Truso", offering delicious dishes of European and Georgian cuisine.
Well, if you want to completely immerse yourself in the national Georgian atmosphere, you should visit tavern "Hreki" or cafe-restaurant "Gagieti". Quite popular are also restaurants MONTE, SHINO, New Gudauri and Freerider.
Guests of the resort can buy food and various essential goods at the Smart supermarket.
Prices and services in Guda uri
The Gudauri ski resort has its own ski school called SkiGudauri, whose professional instructors will gladly teach you the tricks of skiing and snowboarding. Children from the age of four can also study at school.
The cost of an individual lesson lasting fifty-five minutes is 50 GEL, and for each additional student you will need to pay another 15 GEL.
A lesson for a group of five to ten people will cost 100 GEL. The school has a rental of ski equipment, as well as a store for outdoor activities and ski equipment.
Guests of the Gudauri resort can rent new high-quality skiing and snowboarding kits from such world-famous manufacturers as Head, Nordica and Salomon. Additionally, you can rent and gloves.
The cost of renting a full set of equipment is 25 GEL per day, and an additional accessory will cost you another 5 GEL. Those who are going to use the equipment for more than three days are provided with discounts on rental. The rental service carries out sharpening of edges and professional processing of sliding surfaces.
As for the cost of lifts, then about one descent will cost you 5 lari. If you plan to ride all day, you need to purchase special ticket, the cost of which is 30 GEL for adults and 20 GEL for children. Children under the age of six can use all lifts free of charge.
For those tourists who are going to spend more than a day in the Gudauri resort, a special plastic card is provided, the value of the deposit for which is 4 GEL. Three days of skiing will cost the owner of this card 84 GEL, and for 500 GEL it will be possible to use the resort's facilities throughout the season. Free Wi-Fi is available along all slopes and ski lifts.
See all photos of the Gudauri resort:
Housing and accommodation in Gudauri
Gudauri resort boasts excellent tourist infrastructure. Here you can find many luxurious hotels, cozy cottages and apartments where you can stay. The most popular resort hotel is hotel Gudauri Marco Polo for 123 rooms. Marco Polo in Gudaura has several restaurants and bars, a beauty salon, a conference room, a swimming pool and a sauna, a solarium and a massage room, as well as a tennis court and billiards.
Suitable for connoisseurs of comfort hotel in Gudauri Truso, which has 14 rooms. There is a restaurant and a grill bar, a Finnish sauna and a massage room. The small hotel Gagieti is famous for its unique Georgian flavor and cozy, relaxed atmosphere.
Where is and how to get to the Gudauri ski resort
The resort is located at a distance of 120 kilometers from Tbilisi and 89 kilometers from Vladikavkaz. Gudauri occupies a small plateau on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Range. Today, most travel companies offering tours to the resort provide their clients with a transfer to Gudauri.
Well, those who want to get to the resort on their own can use fixed-route taxis that depart regularly from the bus station located in Tbilisi at the Didube metro station.
The official website of the Gudauri ski resort: http://www.gudauri.ru
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