Life has its moments, doesn’t it? My dad always says that, especially when we’re sitting back in beanbags, sipping hot chocolate, and watching the sun set over the peaks of the Great Caucasus. It’s like medicine for the soul. There are two main ski resorts here in Georgia: Gudauri up in the High Caucasus and Bakuriani down in the Lower Caucasus. Both less than a 3-hour drive from Tbilisi, and both offering different vibes and fantastic skiing!
Gudauri is known for its breathtaking views of the 3000-meter peaks and the thrilling paragliding adventures above them. It’s like a postcard come to life. A big part of the local economy revolves around skiing and paragliding. Gudauri is also perfect for a day trip. If you set off from Tbilisi by 8 am, you’ll be first on the slopes when they open at 10, unless you run into some traffic from trucks or road closures due to avalanches. The feeling of climbing closer to heaven as you reach almost 3000 meters is indescribable. Plus, Gudauri knows how to throw a party, with lively music echoing all around. I’ve never seen so many skiers blasting tunes from backpack speakers, trying to get everyone to vibe with them on the chairlift. Georgians definitely aren’t fans of silence, and they believe action is incomplete without some loud music.
Then there’s Bakuriani, the birthplace of skiing in the Caucasus. We were impressed by the changes we saw over the past year. It’s perfect for teaching kids to ski, enjoying a quieter atmosphere than Gudauri, but still soaking in those incredible views. With the World Snowboard Championship held there last year and the annual World Cup competition in Georgia, the locals knew they had to step up a bit and they truly did. We’re eagerly awaiting the European Youth Olympic Games next winter! We even spotted the mascot for the 2025 games painted on several buildings. I remember cheering on the last EYOF in Sarajevo in 2019, proudly waving Czech flags. My dad especially being a cross-country skiing enthusiast, let us even take a week off from work and school to show our support for the Czech representatives. And we’re planning to do the same next year. Although we couldn’t find the spot for the biathlon competition, we were surprised to see impressive ramps and jumps being built for the “big air” competition – something unexpected in Georgia.
But it’s not just about the skiing – it’s about the atmosphere. Russians and Georgians casually sitting or lying down in the middle of the slope to enjoy a cigarette, despite the crazy skiers passing by. Snowboarders dressed as animals – we’ve seen lions and tigers, still searching for the penguin! And then there’s the Indian exchange student, laughing and screaming on the chairlift, experiencing mountains like these for the first time while wearing sandals in minus 20 degrees! And let’s not forget the local Georgian men, spending the day in slope-side bars and only heading down the mountain once they have the “courage” to do so after a bottle of Chacha. Mission impossible with so many toasts, here the apres-ski starts early – around lunchtime. But they are brave! Witnessing all this makes you appreciate the uniqueness of each culture. Tough mountains, harsh weather, and resilient people always ready to welcome you with a drink.
One thing we’ve noticed a lot is the rule here that seems to say the less you know how to ski, the faster you go. From the chairlift, it’s a sea of people, interrupted by a group of guys with highlighter jackets zooming through, trying desperately not to fall and skiing like they’re sitting on the toilet, only to crash every 50 meters, losing their skis in the process. That’s skiing in Georgia for you – challenging but absolutely worth it. The views are breathtaking, and the season lasts until the end of March. Ski pass prices are quite reasonable compared to Europe, though hotel prices are catching up. Even come to just stare at the Kazbegi mountain from the Kobi pass at Gudauri or make a stop in Borjomi to savor the famous mineral water on your way to Bakuriani. Stay tuned for more exciting skiing adventures! 🏂🎿✌️
