Gudauri
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Understand
Gudauri is the youngest and most promising ski resort in the Caucasus. Unique natural terrain provides great opportunities for the backcountry skiing. Here are a few lifts, but many options for skiing. Main pistes are prepared with ratracks, but in parallel with the pistes, there are wide wild fields, that make the local slopes a paradise for freeriders.
Get in
The Georgian Military Highway links the town to Tbilisi (120 km, ~2 h) in the south. Heading north the road runs to Kazbegi, the Russian border and then Vladikavkaz in Russia's North Ossetia. Mashrutkas start from Didube, Tbilisi every hour and cost around 10 lari.
Get around
Be prepared to haggle with taxi drivers, take the uncomfortable walk on the road or try to hitchhike.
See
Do
Skiing
Buy
Eat
There is a small supermarket with an ATM at the main road, but easiest is to get breakfast and dinner from your accommodation. Lunch on the lift.
Drink
Sleep
There are various hotels that the guy from the ski rental refers to as "VIP", which charge well above US$50/night.
- Sports Hotel Gudauri (Gudauri 4702 Kazbegi Region, Georgia), ☎ +995 32-202900, fax: +955 32-20-2901, e-mail: hotel@gudauri.ge. This is a ski lodge with amenities like a swimming pool, sauna, indoor tennis courts, and a bowling alley. The rate per night with all meals included ranges from 102-546 lari.
- 🌍 WildGuru Hostel (not far from bottom station of ski lift), ☎ +995 595 16 22 55, e-mail: info@wildguru.com. The hostel has a dining room and a soft chill-out zone with the projector and the screen to watch videos. There is a free Wi-Fi at the hostel. The parking at the hostel’s territory is free of charge. The ski-depot is situated on the ground floor. The hostel has a Georgian chef who makes delicious dishes. Friendly staff and helpful guides are around. US$25 dorm.