A day pass at a Georgian ski resort costs roughly €20. Gear rental is another €15. You can ski above 3,000 metres on freshly groomed runs with almost nobody else in sight, then drive back to Tbilisi the same evening. Or you can disappear into the remote Greater Caucasus and spend a week in a medieval Svan village where the après-ski is homemade chacha and a wood stove.
Georgia has four government-managed resorts (all operated by MTA) plus a growing fringe of backcountry and cat-skiing operations. This guide covers all of them from a driver's perspective — road conditions, parking, distances, what kind of car you need, and how the slopes compare.
The Basics: Costs, Season, and Lift Passes
The ski season runs from mid-December through mid-April, depending on the resort and snowfall. Lift passes range from 50 to 70 GEL (€16–23) per day across all four MTA resorts. A full-season pass covering every resort costs 650 GEL (approximately €215). Ski and snowboard hire averages 50 GEL (€16) per day at every resort.
Lifts typically open at 10:00 and close by 17:00. Limited night skiing is available at some resorts on weekends. MTA maintains live snow cameras at every resort on their website, useful for checking conditions before you drive up.
The single biggest advantage of Georgian skiing is the absence of crowds. Outside of the New Year holiday period (roughly January 1–15), you will almost never queue for a lift. On a weekday in February, you might share an entire mountain with a dozen other skiers.
Gudauri: The Closest Slopes to Tbilisi
The Drive
Gudauri sits 120 kilometres north of Tbilisi on the Georgian Military Highway, the only road connecting Georgia to Russia through the Greater Caucasus. In good conditions, the drive takes about two hours. In heavy snow, the Jvari Pass above Gudauri can close for hours or days — check road reports before setting out.
A 4x4 with winter tires is strongly recommended for this drive between December and March. The highway is paved but steep, winding, and often icy above Pasanauri. We equip all our 4x4 fleet with proper winter tires during the season. A Toyota 4Runner or Jeep Wrangler handles the Military Highway comfortably. See our Tbilisi to Gudauri transport guide for full details.
Parking in Gudauri is limited and disorganized, especially in New Gudauri. Arrive early on weekends or you will spend time circling.
The Slopes
Gudauri has 29 runs across 80 kilometres of groomed pistes, served by 10 chairlifts, 7 platter lifts, and a gondola. The resort sits entirely above the treeline at 2,200 metres, with the highest runs reaching above 3,000 metres on Mount Kudebi. The terrain is wide and open, ideal for intermediate skiers who like long, sweeping runs with panoramic views of the Greater Caucasus.
Seventeen of the 29 runs are graded blue, making Gudauri the easiest resort for beginners. Ski schools are plentiful. The off-piste terrain is excellent for experienced skiers willing to hike or traverse.
Day pass: 70 GEL (€23).
Off the Slopes
Gudauri is a purpose-built resort, not a town. There are restaurants and bars (the New Gudauri area has a developing après-ski scene), but limited groceries, no real cultural attractions, and nothing to do if the lifts close. The Kobi-Gudauri cable car offers non-skiing mountain views. A day trip to Kazbegi and Gergeti Trinity Church is the best off-slope excursion.
Who It Suits
Skiers who want the closest option to Tbilisi, beginners who need ski schools, and intermediate riders who want wide-open above-treeline runs. Not ideal for families with young children who don't ski, or anyone looking for authentic Georgian atmosphere.
Bakuriani: Snow Forests and Family Runs
The Drive
Bakuriani is 180 kilometres from Tbilisi and 150 kilometres from Kutaisi, about 3.5 hours either way. The route goes through Borjomi, then climbs through pine forest to the resort. This is the gentlest, safest mountain road of all four resorts — well-paved, well-maintained, and rarely closed.
A sedan can handle this road in most conditions, though we still recommend a 4x4 during heavy snowfall. Paid and free street parking are readily available throughout town.
The Slopes
Bakuriani has three ski areas — Didveli, Kokhta, and Mitarbi — with 26 runs across 11 MTA lifts plus two private ski parks (Crystal and 25 Ski Park). At 1,700 metres, this is the lowest-elevation major resort, meaning the runs weave through dense coniferous forest rather than open alpine terrain. The aesthetic is beautiful: snow-dusted fir trees lining every run.
Bakuriani is Georgia's oldest ski resort, established in 1932 as a Soviet Olympic training ground. The Didveli area has the best beginner infrastructure, while Kokhta-Mitarbi (modernized in 2015) offers more challenging red and black runs through the forest.
A significant advantage: Bakuriani has a public bus system (1 GEL) connecting Didveli, town, and Kokhta, plus reliable taxi apps. No other Georgian resort offers this.
Day pass: 55 GEL (€18).
Off the Slopes
Bakuriani is a real town with grocery stores, bakeries, restaurants, and a husky park. It has the best range of non-skiing winter activities of any Georgian resort: cross-country skiing, sledding, snow tubing, ice skating, and beautiful forest walks. Nearby Borjomi offers hot springs, a mineral water park, and the famous abandoned sanatorium.
Who It Suits
Families with children, anyone who wants activities beyond skiing, self-catering travellers who need a real town, and anyone who wants the safest winter drive. The best pick for a road trip that includes skiing without risking road closures.
Mestia: The Remote Mountain Kingdom
The Drive
Mestia is 450 kilometres from Tbilisi — a full day's drive. The practical approach is to break the journey in Kutaisi (230 km from Mestia) or drive via Zugdidi (140 km). The road from Zugdidi to Mestia is open year-round but damaged in sections and frequently icy. A 4x4 is mandatory for this drive in winter. The alternative route from Kutaisi via Lentekhi and Ushguli is closed entirely from November through May.
This is not a casual day trip. Plan for at least three nights in Mestia to justify the drive. See our Svaneti road trip guide and Svaneti transport guide for details. Small charter flights from Kutaisi and Natakhtari exist but are unreliable and seats book out weeks ahead.
The Slopes
Two separate ski areas: Hatsvali and Tetnuldi. Combined, they offer 14 lifts and 37 kilometres of groomed trails. Hatsvali (closer to town) has tree-lined runs and an excellent beginner plateau. Tetnuldi (40–60 minute drive from Mestia) sits deep in the Greater Caucasus with a summit at 3,168 metres and is widely considered one of the most visually stunning ski resorts in the world — wide, empty pistes with glacier-covered 4,000-metre peaks in every direction.
The freeriding at Tetnuldi is exceptional. Experienced skiers come specifically for the backcountry access. Infrastructure is less developed than Gudauri or Bakuriani — fewer hire shops, fewer instructors, and no on-mountain restaurants at Tetnuldi.
Day pass: 50 GEL (€16).
Off the Slopes
Mestia is a year-round destination with deep cultural roots. The medieval Svan tower houses are a UNESCO candidate site. The Ethnography Museum is world-class. Svan cuisine is distinct from the rest of Georgia — kubdari (meat-stuffed bread), tashmijabi (cheese-and-potato mash), and local honey are highlights. The après-ski scene is tiny but intimate. Dog sledding with Samoyeds is available.
For more on what to do in the region, read our Svaneti guide.
Who It Suits
Experienced skiers and snowboarders who want uncrowded freeriding, travellers who value cultural immersion, and anyone willing to invest the travel time for the most dramatic mountain scenery Georgia offers. Not ideal for beginners (few instructors) or anyone on a tight schedule.
Goderdzi: The Subtropical Wildcard
The Drive
Goderdzi is the newest and most remote of the four MTA resorts, perched on a high mountain pass between Batumi and the Adjara highlands. The access road from Batumi climbs through subtropical forest and is frequently impassable — at certain points during the season, the only access is by snowcat.
This resort is for adventurous travellers only. Check conditions with locals before attempting the drive, and only go in a serious 4x4.
The Slopes
Three lifts, 8 kilometres of trails. The landscape mixes high-altitude peaks with the dense, wet forests of Georgia's Black Sea coast — earning Goderdzi the nickname "the Japan of Georgia" for its heavy, consistent snowfall. The season runs from late December through April, often longer than other resorts thanks to the coastal moisture.
Day pass: 50 GEL (€16).
Who It Suits
Adventurers who are already in Batumi or exploring the Adjara highlands, and experienced skiers looking for something completely off the beaten path. Not a destination resort — more of a detour for the curious.
Beyond the Resorts: Backcountry and Cat-Skiing
Georgia's mountain terrain offers exceptional backcountry skiing outside the groomed resorts. The village of Bakhmaro in Guria has cat-skiing and heli-skiing operations amid beautiful A-frame cottages and deep-snow forests. Access in winter is by snowcat only.
The Kazbegi area offers backcountry touring for experienced mountaineers. The valleys around Juta and Truso provide skin-track routes with 2,000+ metres of vertical. A guide and avalanche equipment are essential.
For all backcountry options, a 4x4 rental is non-negotiable. Our Toyota 4Runner and Chevrolet Suburban can carry gear for a group of four plus skis.
Which Resort for Which Trip?
Weekend from Tbilisi: Gudauri. Two-hour drive, full day on the slopes, back the same evening. Best with a Jeep Wrangler.
Family week with non-skiers: Bakuriani. Real town, bus system, sledding, husky park, easy access to Borjomi. Safe road, works with a sedan.
Serious skiing plus culture: Mestia. Three to five nights minimum. Tetnuldi for the slopes, Mestia town for the towers and kubdari. Requires a Toyota 4Runner and winter driving confidence.
Already in Batumi: Goderdzi. Day trip or overnight if the road is open. Check conditions first.
Multi-resort road trip: Tbilisi → Gudauri (2 nights) → Tbilisi → Bakuriani/Borjomi (2 nights) → Kutaisi → Mestia (3 nights). Allow 10–12 days. See our road trip itineraries for more.
Practical Tips for Self-Drive Skiers
Winter tires: All our 4x4 and SUV rentals come with winter tires from November through April. If renting a sedan, confirm tire type before departure.
Chains: Carry snow chains even if you have a 4x4. The Jvari Pass above Gudauri and the Zugdidi-Mestia road occasionally require them.
Fuel: Fill up in Tbilisi, Borjomi, or Zugdidi before heading to the resorts. Fuel stations exist at Gudauri and Bakuriani but can be busy. Mestia has limited fuel availability.
Road closures: Check the MTA website or call the 112 emergency hotline for real-time road conditions. The Military Highway (Gudauri) and Zugdidi-Mestia road are the two most closure-prone routes.
Insurance: Our travel insurance guide covers what to look for. Make sure your policy covers winter sports if you plan to ski.
We deliver cars free to any address in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Tbilisi Airport, and Kutaisi Airport. No deposit, unlimited mileage, prices from €40/day.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the ski season in Georgia?
Mid-December through mid-April. February and early March typically have the most reliable snow. Exact opening dates vary by resort and year.
How much does a ski trip to Georgia cost per day?
Budget roughly €50–100 per person per day including lift pass (€16–23), gear rental (€16), accommodation, food, and car rental. Georgia is one of the cheapest skiing destinations in Europe.
Do I need a 4x4 to reach Georgian ski resorts?
For Gudauri and Mestia in winter, a 4x4 with winter tires is strongly recommended. Bakuriani is accessible by sedan in most conditions. Goderdzi requires a 4x4 or snowcat access.
Which is the best ski resort in Georgia for beginners?
Gudauri has the most ski schools and blue runs. Bakuriani's Didveli area is also excellent for beginners with a gentler learning environment. Hatsvali in Mestia has a good practice plateau but fewer instructors.
Can I rent ski gear at the resorts?
Yes, all four resorts have gear hire shops. Expect to pay around 50 GEL (€16) per day for a full ski or snowboard setup. Gudauri and Bakuriani have the widest selection.