Georgia is known for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and unique culture. But did you know that it’s also an excellent destination for skiing? In this beginner’s guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know to enjoy skiing in Georgia, taken from my own beginner skiing experience.
Whether you’re a first-time skier/snowboarder or someone looking to brush up on the basics, Georgia offers beautiful ski resorts, a range of slopes suitable for all skill levels, and—critically—really affordable prices
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Why Ski in Georgia?
Georgia boasts some of the most scenic and affordable ski resorts in the world. The Caucasus Mountains, which stretch across Georgia, provide the perfect setting for a ski holiday, offering majestic views and a variety of slopes.
In addition, Georgia is still a little under the radar when it comes to snow sports, which means you can enjoy fewer crowds compared to more famous ski destinations in Europe or North America.
The Best Time to Ski in Georgia
The ski season in Georgia typically runs from late December to early April, with the best snow conditions usually occurring between January and March.
However, it’s always a good idea to check the weather and snow conditions before planning your trip to ensure the slopes are open and ready for skiing.
Planning a trip to Georgia?
Here’s what you need to know:
PACKING: Georgia uses plug Type C (grab a multi-way travel adaptor if needed). If you’re visiting in winter, you will need a very warm coat, thermal layers, and snow-proof shoes, especially if you’re travelling outside of Tbilisi. And, of course, a good book.
TRANSPORT: Download the Bolt app for taxis, which are very cheap by European standards (there’s also BoltFood for food delivery). The metro and buses are simple enough to use (you can use a contactless card). For travel outside of Tbilisi, trains are efficient and reliable, though marshrutka minivans are the most popular and cheapest option. For private transfers, you can book with GoTrip, or find car rentals through Booking.com.
PHONE: I got a local sim card with MyMagti, though they’re not the only option. 30 days with unlimited data cost GEL44 ($15) and I often used this data to hotspot and work from cafes, even in the mountains.
MONEY: Most ATMs charge for international cards, including Bank of Georgia, but sometimes you can find some that don’t; it’s hit and miss. Contactless is widely accepted (if asked “Which type of card?” you can say “TBC” or “Bank of Georgia”, it doesn’t matter for international cards), but cash is good to have on hand. For transfers, a local bank account is needed, which don’t come with BIC or SWIFT numbers, which can be tricky.
LANGUAGE: I never had any major issue with a language barrier (Google Translate always helps). Note that the younger generation speaks English well, but the older generation speaks Russian as a second language and usually struggles with English.
IS GEORGIA SAFE? I visited during the recent and ongoing protests and felt perfectly safe. I’ve experienced protest movements, both peaceful and violent, in Thailand and Hong Kong, and felt confident this would not affect my trip. My advice is keep up-to-date with news and consider what you’re comfortable with.
Best Ski Resorts for Beginners
1. Gudauri
Gudauri is the most popular ski resort in Georgia, and it’s a great choice for beginners. Located just 1-2 hours from Tbilisi, Gudauri offers a variety of slopes for all levels.
While advanced skiers will love the off-piste and freestyle options, beginners can enjoy gentle, wide runs that are perfect for learning the ropes.
The resort is equipped with modern ski lifts and has plenty of ski schools with English-speaking instructors, making it a great place for first-timers. When I visited Gudauri, I didn’t ski here, but a friend of mine took her first classes here and really enjoyed it.
Key Features:
- Beginner-friendly slopes with wide, gentle runs.
- Ski schools offering lessons for all ages and abilities.
- Easy access from Tbilisi.
- Rental shops for all necessary equipment.
How to Get There
You can rent a car from Tbilisi, grab a marshrutka (minivan), or use GoTrip for a private transfer. The journey takes 1-2 hours along The Georgian Military Highway. Even in bad weather, it’s rare for the road to be closed and it’s well-maintained. Traffic can be very bad coming back into Tbilisi on Sundays.
If you just want to go for the day, you can book a ski tour from Tbilisi. There are also options for a day trip without skiing, including Kazbegi, which is further north.
2. Bakuriani
If you’re looking for a more laid-back and family-friendly atmosphere, Bakuriani is the place to go.
This resort is located in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains and is known for its quiet, beginner-friendly environment. The slopes are perfect for those just starting out, and the resort is smaller, which means less hustle and bustle compared to larger resorts.
Key Features:
- Small, beginner-friendly resort.
- Excellent for families and first-time skiers.
- Calm and relaxing atmosphere.
- Excellent snow conditions in winter.
How to Get There
Bakuriani is an hour’s drive from Borjomi and 3-4 hours by road from Tbilisi. As above, you can rent a car, book a GoTrip transfer, or take a marshrutka minibus.
There is no longer a train that goes all the way to Bakuriani, but there is one that goes to Borjomi and from there you can take a bus or drive. However, the train is very slow, taking around 4.5 hours.
If you just want to go for the day, you can book a ski tour from Tbilisi, which includes transfers and around 3 hours of skiing at Bakuriani.
3. Mestia (Hatsvali and Tetnuldi)
Nestled in the Svaneti region, Mestia is home to two notable ski areas: Hatsvali and Tetnuldi, both offering a different experience for beginner skiers. This is where I learned to ski.
Hatsvali is the more accessible of the two, with gentle slopes ideal for those just learning how to ski. The resort offers modern lift systems and ski schools, as well as spectacular views of the surrounding Caucasus mountains. This is where I learned to ski.
On the other hand, Tetnuldi has the highest ski lift in Georgia, which means stunning views and expansive slopes.
While it may be better known for advanced skiers due to its altitude and longer runs, Tetnuldi also features some beginner-friendly areas and you can always visit just to hop on the cable car and enjoy the views while you’re in Mestia.
The mix of both resorts gives you the opportunity to explore different types of terrain while honing your skiing skills.
Key Features:
- A blend of beginner slopes (Hatsvali) and more advanced terrain (Tetnuldi).
- Stunning, panoramic mountain views.
- Modern lifts and ski schools.
- A unique, scenic destination in the Svaneti region.
How to get there
a) Flights
There are daily flights from Tbilisi (Natakhtari) to Mestia Airport during ski season for GEL90 ($32) with Vanilla Sky. The price includes a transfer from Tbilisi city centre to Natakhtari Airfield, which is 30 minutes north of the capital. We found it easy enough to book online.
The flight is breathtakingly scenic, with gorgeous mountain views. However, the only downside is that flights can be cancelled due to weather conditions (i.e. snow) and this is only announced a few hours before departure. You can rebook for the next flight, but the same thing can happen again. It happened to us three times, so make sure you have a backup option.
b) Minibus/Train
There are regular marshrutka minibuses To Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi and Batumi. The full journey to Tbilisi takes 9-10 hours and as we found out, during the winter there’s a lot of stopping in the mountains to clear the road with a shovel.
If you want to break up the long journey, you could take the minibus to Zugdidi or Kutaisi. From there, you could take a train the next day if you prefer not to do so much road travel. Marshrutkas are not known to be the most comfortable of travel experiences.
Tip: Need something to do for the 10-hour journey? Download an audiobook! I made great headway on The Eighth Life by Nino Haratischwili during this trip. Check out more books about Georgia here, how to listen to audiobooks on Spotify here, as well as the best ways to get e-books and audiobooks for free here.
c) Self-drive or taxi
If conditions aren’t too bad, you may prefer to rent a car and drive, but you should be comfortable driving in heavy snow. Alternatively book a GoTrip transfer,
4. Goderdzi
Located on the Black Sea coast, Goderdzi offers a different kind of skiing experience compared to the high-altitude resorts of Gudauri or Mestia.
Situated in the Adjara region, this resort combines snowy mountains with mild winter temperatures, making it a unique destination for skiers who prefer less intense cold.
Goderdzi is ideal for beginner skiers who want to enjoy the fun of winter sports with a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful views of both the sea and the mountains.
Key Features:
- Mild temperatures and scenic coastal views.
- Ideal for beginners looking for a quieter experience.
- A smaller, more intimate resort.
- Family-friendly with a variety of other activities to enjoy.
How to get there
In winter, I believe Goderdzi is only accessible via Batumi, so first get to Batumi (an hour’s flight or 10 hours by road from Tbilisi). From there, it’s 3 hours by car or minivan.
What You Need
As a beginner skier, this was the most confusing part for me, so here’s what you need to know:
1. Ski Pass
You can buy this online and get it delivered in advance, or you can buy it at the ski resort, typically at the base of the first cable car or ski lift. This entitles you to use the cable cars and ski lifts. If you just want to ride the cable car for the views, you can buy a ticket specially for that.
There are ski pass options for one location, multiple locations, and a range of days. For example, check out this Gudauri Ski Pass price list for the 2024/25 season. We got a 2-day pass for Mestia that cost GEL100 ($35) and we bought it on the day we were skiing from the kiosk at the cable car base.
2. Equipment
There are multiple ski equipment rental shops at every resort. The standard package is skis, boots and a helmet. This cost us only GEL50 ($18) per day in Mestia. Make sure you’re wearing thick wool socks (and/or two pairs of socks). Bring your own waterproof gloves (we bought some nearby for GEL20/$7).
If you’re not sure how many days you will need, ask for one day rental first and you can always ask to extend later. Cash is preferred though many rental places take card. You will need to give an ID, such as a passport, for them to hold until you return the equipment.
Some places have goggles you can rent too, though you probably won’t need them as a beginner unless it’s snowing heavily. You can rent ski poles, but again, as a beginner, you probably won’t need them.
Tip: This is a lot of stuff to carry! In Mestia, it was a 20-minute walk uphill from town to the first Hatsvali cable car, so we took a taxi instead for GEL20 ($7). Make sure you have transport and a backpack in which to put your regular shoes etc. Check accommodation on a map, even if they say ski-in, ski-out, because it can still be a tough walk from there to the ski lifts.
3. Insurance
Even as beginner, there’s a risk of injury, so don’t skip on insurance. Check your travel or health insurance to make sure it covers skiing, as many providers count this as an extreme sport.
I recommend World Nomads because their policies are very clear and they have an option for skiing. Also, they cover you even if you’ve already left your home country, so if you’ve forgotten to cover skiing in your regular insurance, then this is a solution.
If you’re travelling long-term or working remotely, I recommend Genki as they have great options for digital nomad insurance. I wrote about my experiences with Genki here.
4. An Instructor
If you don’t have anyone to teach you or you’d prefer a professional, it’s fairly easy to find an instructor. Ski rental places will know local instructors well and in established resorts there may be places advertising instructors.
Before we arrived in Mestia, I found a ski school online for adults, but they quoted me EUR70 per hour and insisted that each adult have a separate instructor for one-on-one tuition.
Once in Mestia, we found an instructor for GEL100 ($35) per hour per person. She taught three of us at once and actually, that was fine as we were very beginners just learning the basics.
Skiing Tips for Beginners
1. Take a Lesson
It’s highly recommended to take a lesson to understand the basics of skiing, such as how to turn, stop, and control your speed.
After our hour’s lesson, we asked about follow-up classes but our instructor very kindly pointed out that the best thing to do for now was practice what we had learned for a few hours independently on the beginner slopes, which we did instead.
2. Start with Easy Slopes
As a beginner, it’s essential to start on the easiest slopes. These are often marked with green or blue signs, and they’re designed to help you build your skills at your own pace. To be honest, I found the beginner slope very challenging!
3. Dress Appropriately
I’d advise wearing layers that you can easily take off. I wore thermal leggings under ski trousers, a thermal top, a jumper and a warm coat… and I was boiling! Skiing is hard work and actually, you’ll probably end up sweating!
I’d also advise sunglasses for the glare from the snow, especially if it’s sunny.
4. Rest
Skiing is a lot of work and it can be quite painful to start!
The first 30 minutes in the skis and boots were the worst for my calves, as your legs are in an awkward position over your ankles, plus you’re tensing muscles that aren’t used a lot, such as the inside of your legs. After a while, your body loosens up and you get used to it.
On the beginner slopes, especially the last, steeper slope, it was my knees that started to feel the burn! For my partner, it was his back.
As a beginner skier, I would advise doing a day with a lesson and some practice, then following up with a rest day or two before hitting the slopes again. You don’t know how your body will react and it’s important to rest in order for your muscles to recover and strengthen.
Where to Stay
Most of Georgia’s ski resorts offer a range of accommodation options, from cosy guesthouses to luxurious hotels.
In Gudauri, for example, you’ll find ski-in, ski-out hotels where you can step right onto the slopes. For a more rustic experience, Bakuriani offers cottages and family-owned guesthouses that provide a homey atmosphere.
In Mestia, we started out in a local guesthouse, which was basic but very homely. However, as we work remotely, we needed reliable WiFi and a more comfortable setting, so we switched to an apartment-style accommodation instead.
In addition to standard hotels, some resorts also offer rental apartments or chalets for those who want a more private stay. Some resorts even have spas and saunas, providing the perfect way to unwind after a day on the slopes.
Après-Ski Activities
Skiing is not only about hitting the slopes; it’s also about enjoying the après-ski scene! After a day of skiing, Georgia’s ski resorts offer plenty of opportunities to relax and unwind.
Gudauri, in particular, is known for its vibrant après-ski scene, with lively bars and restaurants offering delicious Georgian food, wine, and cocktails. I highly recommend Drunk Cherry for food.
Georgia is famous for its wine, so be sure to try a glass of local wine after a day on the slopes. You can also enjoy traditional Georgian dishes like khachapuri (cheese-filled bread) and khinkali (dumplings), which are sure to warm you up after a day in the snow.
Total Cost of Skiing in Georgia
Here’s the breakdown of how much it cost for a day of skiing in Mestia:
- GEL50 ($18) ski equipment rental
- GEL100 ($35) class with an instructor
- GEL20 ($7) gloves – we bought new
- GEL100 ($35) ski pass – this was a 2-day ski pass
- GEL40 ($14) taxis to and from the Hatsvali cable car
Plus the costs of the trip to Mestia:
- GEL650 ($233) 1 week accommodation
- GEL90 ($32) flight from Tbilisi or GEL50 ($18) minibus
My Experience Skiing in Georgia
Although I was a little intimated at first, I think skiing in Georgia is a fantastic experience for beginners. The stunning landscapes and affordable prices make it a perfect destination for those looking to enjoy winter sports as a first-timer. I would gladly go back again or try a different ski resort.
Let me know if you’ve been skiing in Georgia and if you have any further recommendations in the comments below.
Travel Essentials
Here are the websites and services I personally use and recommend.
FLIGHTS: The best deals can be found on Skyscanner, Google Flights and Kiwi (learn more about Kiwi travel hacking here).
TRAVEL INSURANCE: I recommend World Nomads for travel insurance because you can purchase once you’re already overseas and you can easily extend your policy. For digital nomads, I recommend and personally use Genki (learn more about Genki digital nomad health insurance here).
E-SIM: For travel in Europe, I use an e-sim with GoMobile, which is a provider based in Malta, but you need to be there to set it up.
ACCOMMODATION: I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for apartments. For Colivings, I usually book privately, but Coliving.com is a good place to start.
THINGS TO DO: I use Viator or Get Your Guide for booking day trips, city tours and other activities, though I often check reviews on TripAdvisor too.
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