Gudauri has places to go swimming in summer. Gudauri resort in summer, or where to look for a cool climate and picturesque mountains in Georgia. Vacation with children

The ski resort of Gudauri, as they say, is young and promising: in 2014, National Geographic magazine named it one of the best winter holiday destinations.

Gudauri deservedly received such significant praise. Interesting trails have been laid here, modern ski lifts have been launched, hotels are being built - the resort is actively and purposefully developing, striving to meet international standards.

The first argument in favor of a holiday with children in Gudauri is excellent opportunities for learning alpine skiing, that is, the presence of good slopes, professional instructors and reasonable prices.

What else will this small village on the slopes of the Caucasus please? We have collected all the important information about a family vacation at the most modern ski resort in Georgia.

Gudauri on the map of Georgia

The village of Gudauri is a ski resort located in the northeast of Georgia, on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Range. It is located on the territory of the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, part of the Kazbegi municipality (the administrative center is the village of Stepantsminda).

The distance from Gudauri to Tbilisi is 122 km, to Kutaisi - 295 km, to Stepantsminda - 32 km.

The place where Gudauri is located is known even to those who are not interested in skiing. Georgian Military Road, Cross Pass - everyone has heard these names. All that remains is to see with your own eyes.

Vacation with children

The Gudauri ski resort quickly became popular. In terms of the number of slopes, it quickly overtook another ski center in Georgia - Bakuriani. And how many additional opportunities there are for active recreation!

In winter, Gudauri is an excellent place for alpine skiing enthusiasts, including fans of off-piste skiing. And in the summer, those who are interested in cross-country, sports tourism, mountaineering, and rafting come here.

Most often, people come to Gudauri with children precisely to put them on skis.

There are conditions for this: from training trails, where the first skills are practiced, children soon move on to conquering simple trails. Well, if you couldn’t instill a love for skiing, let your child go sledding - for this there is a special track at the resort.

In summer you can also relax in Gudauri with your child. At the same time, it is not necessary to join the ranks of those who go on multi-day hikes in the mountains - just climb to the top of Mount Sadzele and see the endless mighty Caucasus.

But there is also almost no entertainment for children in Gudauri. But in the summer you can go on excursions: for example, take a trip along the Georgian Military Road and visit Tbilisi - a beautiful ancient city with many family attractions.

The weak point of holidays in Gudauri is the tourist infrastructure. Despite the fact that there are about fifty hotels at the resort, all of them are poorly suited for family holidays.

As a place to stay with a child, we recommend considering apart-hotels that have a kitchen equipped with everything necessary for preparing food. At the same time, we note that it is difficult to buy baby food in stores, so when going on vacation with an infant, be sure to take the necessary products with you.

And yet, the rapid pace of development of the resort gives hope that Gudauri will soon become an attractive place not only for extreme sports enthusiasts of all stripes, but also for families with children.

When is the best time to go?

When is the best time to go to Gudauri is not an idle question. Both the quality and cost of your vacation depend on the correct answer.

If we are talking about winter holidays, then you can take your skis to the resort in early December. But the opening of the season in Gudauri usually occurs at the end of December, and if the winter turned out to be little snow, then in January. On the contrary, sometimes heavy snowfalls allow the season to open in mid-December.

The high season in Gudauri is the New Year holidays, February and early March. At this time, all hotels and cottages of the resort are occupied, the price of accommodation reaches its maximum.

On weekends, when many vacationers from Tbilisi come to the mountains, there may be queues at the ski lifts, but the waiting time does not exceed 10-15 minutes. Small queues may form if the upper lifts are closed due to the threat of avalanches.

In the second half of March, hotel prices decrease. The weather is favorable for skiing, so you can safely come on vacation with your child.

Among the things you take with you to the resort, you should definitely include sunscreen: the sun is so active at this time that you can get sunburned while skiing.

The summer season lasts from July to September. Since the resort never gets hot, you can come to Gudauri with your baby and enjoy the clean air and pleasant coolness.

In summer, you will definitely need waterproof clothing and shoes, as it often rains in the mountains. But in September there is relatively little rainfall.

Weather and climate

The climate of Gudauri is moderately cold, and the average annual temperature is only +1.5° C. What does this mean for ski lovers and for those who want to relax in the mountains in the summer?

The main time of year in Gudauri is, of course, winter. It begins in December, when daytime air temperatures drop to - 6°C, and nighttime temperatures drop to - 10°C.

The weather is clear, but there are a few heavy snowfalls. By the middle, and sometimes by the end of the month, a stable snow cover forms: it’s time to open the ski season.

In January it becomes somewhat colder, up to - 8° C during the day and up to - 13° C at night. Sunny weather and some good snowfalls provide comfortable riding conditions.

Snowfalls can not only please skiers, but also block the road to the resort. To know the exact forecast for the coming days, you can use the data from the Gudauri weather station, which is published on the official website of the resort.

February sees the most snow, which is greatly appreciated by freeriders. The air temperature is the same as in January, but at night there are sometimes severe frosts, down to - 20° C.

Snow levels reach their maximum in March. The cold is weakening a little: during the day the thermometers show - 5° C, at night - 9° C. The best holiday in Gudauri with children could be called a holiday in March, if not for one “but” - the high danger of avalanches.

In April, winter slowly loses its grip. Although the air temperature is still hovering around 0°C, the snow begins to melt and rains begin in the second half of the month. Snowfall is still possible in the upper reaches, but instead of pleasant powder, skiers will find hard firn.

May and all summer months are a time of frequent and heavy rains. At the same time, the resort is not at all hot: in May the daytime temperature is +10° C, in June +14-15° C, and in July-August - about +17° C. At the same time, it becomes much colder at night: the thermometer drops to +2-5° C.

September will be a very good time for a vacation in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti mountains. The daily air temperature is +14° C, and the amount of precipitation is almost halved compared to the summer months.

In October, the first night frosts come to the resort. During the day, the air warms up to +4-10° C. In November, the thermometers do not rise above 0° C even during the day.

Nutrition

Most hotels in Gudauri offer their guests meals on a "breakfast only" or "half board" basis. At the same time, a buffet is sometimes served. Restaurant menus usually include dishes of Georgian and European cuisine. Children's and diet food is not provided.

If you plan to cook yourself, you can buy the necessary products in the resort shops.

Transport

Public transport in Gudauri is intercity minibuses connecting the resort with Tbilisi and the village of Stepantsminda.

The cost of a ticket to Tbilisi is 7-10 lari (note that in Georgia there is no discount on tickets for children). Minibuses run only during the daytime, and they do not have a schedule as such - they depart when they are full every 1.5-2 hours.

Instead of public transport in Gudauri, you can use the services of companies that organize individual transfers. The cost of a transfer to Tbilisi starts from 150 GEL. A taxi ride will cost about the same amount.

Using a car to get around Gudauri and the surrounding area is a good idea if you have extensive driving experience. The condition of the Georgian Military Road is good, but it must be taken into account that it is a mountain serpentine with sharp turns.

Summer in Gudauri and adventures in the mountains are in full swing! Traditionally, until the end of September we spend it hiking, excursions, rafting on mountain rivers and jeep tours in the mountains. Do you want to swim in waterfalls, breathe crystal-clear mountain air, find out your capabilities, visit lost mountain villages, live in medieval towers, enjoy natural food at a traditional Georgian table - all this is possible until the end of September in .

Gudauri in summer is very different from winter - most of the hotels and restaurants in the resort are not open, there are not as many tourists at the resort as in winter, the cable cars did not work for the first two months of summer. But, if a collective desire appears in summer Gudauri, bright events are possible at the resort - see the photo report on July 31 from our event for a group of 250 people: excursion and jeep tour to Kazbegi, climb to the highest point of the Gudauri resort and concert of traditional Georgian music at the top:

Mountain resort Gudauri - summer

Undoubtedly, Gudauri has the best panoramic views from the resort of the surrounding mountains and gorges in all of Georgia. Other mountain resorts in Georgia are located in valleys and cannot boast of similar views - the resort of Gudauri is located on a large mountain plateau above 2000 meters above sea level.

The high location of the resort allows the snow cover to remain for a long time and enjoy stunning sunrises and sunsets at any time of the year. Gudauri in summer is a paradise for landscape photographers.

In summer, some hotels and restaurants operate in Gudauri, and it is possible to stay in separate comfortable apartments. The cost of living in mid-price hotels in Gudauri in the summer is GEL 50 (about USD 22) with two meals a day, in apartments - from 10 USD per day for a comfortable modern apartment in the resort ()

Cable cars in Gudauri - lift operating schedule in summer

From August 9 to September 13on weekendsThe gondola lift will operate from 10:00 to 17:00. ​
On August 9, the cable car will operate free of charge. On other days aboutA din climb will cost 5 GEL per person, a day pass will cost 10 GEL.

Inclusion of the cable car on other days and ascent to the highest point, as well as holding weddings, celebrations, conferences, team building, etc.

The photo shows the ascent with bicycles on the gondola lift in Gudauri in the summer to descend along prepared bicycle trails. Bicycle trails were developed by specialists from Slovakia.

In the mid-70s of the 20th century, near the highest point of the Cross Pass, the Gudauri ski resort was reborn. Winter sports, such as skiing, snowboarding, ski touring, snow kiting, speed riding and freeride, are the domain of active athletes who are not afraid to bravely ride different types of equipment on steep mountain slopes. Such extreme types of recreation have only one drawback - the season in Gudauri cannot last all year round. Optimal weather at a ski resort is an important component of a successful vacation. What do the ubiquitous statistics say about the vagaries of temperature, sun and wind on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Range?

The climate in any corner of the planet is primarily determined by its geographical location. A brief description of the mountainous terrain in the area where the Gudauri ski resort is located can be characterized as follows:

• altitude 2150 m;
• distance from the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, 120 km;
• average snow cover thickness in winter is 1.5 m;
• maximum height of mountain peaks 3307 m;
• the number of sunny days in January is 6, in August - 16;
• the average annual temperature is 1.5 0 C;
• The average annual precipitation is approaching 1000 mm.

The weather in Gudauri in summer and winter can rightfully be called cool and somewhat harsh. From the point of view of mountain skiing, the optimal period for winter sports entertainment here is considered to be the period starting in December and ending at the end of April. Man has never learned to dictate his conditions to nature, which he makes his own adjustments to this framework of limitations. Meteorologists' observations of the nuances of the weather for 30 years allowed us to conclude: a wonderful time, depending on the weather conditions, will be a holiday in Gudauri in March.

Why is the weather in Gudauri considered optimal in March?

At the end of the year, the first winter month of December has recently begun to increasingly present surprises to tourists who are eager to quickly get winter sports equipment out of the closet. The once-awaited season of skiing on the snow-capped mountain slopes in Gudauri clearly began in the last week of the month. The first photos of happy travelers who decided to show nature who is the real boss on the planet appeared on social networks. By the New Year holidays, the number of tourists grew exponentially, guest houses and hotels in the ski resort were filled to capacity. The ski season was gaining momentum, but the vagaries of Mother Nature interfered with the bright kaleidoscope of adventures and unexpectedly sent heavy snowfalls or squeaky frosts to the mountainous areas.

It could be that March is softer and more comfortable, when the snow cover is dense and thick, and the number of sunny days can reach 14-15. Spending the whole day on sports trails is tiring; active recreation can be diluted by pleasant walks around the surrounding area. Average daily temperatures are gentle: +1.2 0 C during the day and -6 0 C at night. In this weather, it’s fun to play in the snow, it’s fun to make snow figures, and it’s fun to ride a sled. Even at the end of March, weather forecasts in Gudauri please with their stability and calm. Mine rescue operations, which are not uncommon in the region due to the threat of avalanches, more often have to be carried out by Georgian specialists at the beginning and end of the season, when the weather is still settling. March behaves more carefully with guests of Gudauri, giving them the opportunity to fully enjoy their favorite sports activities.

What to do in Gudauri in summer

Having sent skiers home at the end of April and beginning of May, before the arrival of the new season in Gudauri, the era of restoration, repair and construction work begins. Everyone is looking forward to summer, when it’s worth coming to Gudauri again, but for completely different impressions. Surrounded on all sides by mountains in the summer months, flat Georgia languishes from heat and stuffiness. A cozy and cool idyll reigns in the alpine meadows that cover the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Range with a soft green carpet in summer. You can and should visit the mountainous area near the Gudauri ski resort for the following good reasons:

• prices in accommodation facilities fall sharply;
• guest houses made of wood, of which the vast majority at the resort, are able to keep cool;
• the smell of flowering plants and spicy herbs is so thick and sweet that you can “cut it with a knife” or “drink in large sips”;
• the local landmark, the village of Stepantsminda, also puts on a summer outfit, and photos against the backdrop of the handsome Kazbegi will adorn the cover of any magazine, and even more so a family album;
• ski lifts work properly in Gudauri, tourists can admire the beauty of the mountains, seen from the highest point of the resort - Mount Sadzeli;
• on the top of a snowy mountain in the midst of the summer heat, magic is possible - here you can still play in the snow;
• The Aragvi gorge will entrust its secrets to the most inquisitive guests of Gudauri;
• In the Gudauri district there are bicycle paths and walking paths; the most resilient travelers will be able to reach flowering meadows and weave wreaths from charming mountain inflorescences.

Holidays in Gudauri in summer are no worse or better than in winter. He's just completely different. To say that you know everything and even more about Gudauri, you need to get to know 2 characters of the bizarre mountainous area and find its own zest in each of them.

Already filmed in a Russian film about love. The one with the accent ;-)

The Gudauri ski resort is not yet so famous among skiers. And when last season there was an unpleasant incident with a jammed lift, many did not even understand where it happened, because... The name of the resort is not yet familiar to all tourists. And by the way, many wrote to me then - what happened with the cable car, what a horror! Because they reasoned like this: was it said in the news about a ski resort in the Caucasus? Yeah, that means Krasnaya Polyana.

And those who remember the name now have a question: is it worth going there? Therefore, today I want to say a few words in defense of Gudauri, because I was there and I liked it.

From this article you will learn how to get to the resort, how much a holiday there will cost and why it is worth getting to know this place better.

Gudauri resort, Georgia: how to get there, stay and ride

Gudauri is the best ski resort in Georgia with developed infrastructure, the largest elevation difference and unlimited opportunities for freeride and ski touring.

The resort is the highest mountain settlement on the Georgian Military Road - located 2000 meters above sea level.

When does the ski season start?

The resort of Gudauri is located on the slope of the Greater Caucasus Range and is famous for its mild climate, the absence of frost in winter and icy winds.

The season in Gudauri begins at the end of December and lasts until the end of April. But the first snow may fall as early as October. And sometimes the season closes on the May holidays.

Highest daytime temperature V December is +6...8°C, while the minimum temperature at night drops to -10°C. Most of December in Gudauri there are sunny days, but cloudy and cloudy days are also not uncommon. In January it gets even cooler: from zero to -3...-5°C during the day and about -13°C at night. There will be less than half the month of sunny days, and it often snows. In February it will become warmer and the amount of precipitation will decrease significantly.

So if you want to drive on powder, go to the resort in January. If you want sunshine, then wait for February.

How to get to Gudauri

The nearest airports to the resort are in Vladikavkaz and in Tbilisi:

Usually tourists fly through Tbilisi. Gudauri is 120 km from Tbilisi airport and 110 km from the city itself.

The most convenient and reliable option to get from the airport to the resort is to book a private transfer in advance. In this case, tourists will be met at the terminal building and taken directly to the place of their planned vacation. The cost of the trip will depend on the number of people and type of transport:

Transfer from Vladikavkaz takes longer - due to crossing the border with a vehicle, and the road is sometimes closed due to snowfalls in the Cross Pass area. So in this regard, flying to Tbilisi is easier and more convenient.

There are regular buses to Gudauri. But they are not coming from the airport, but from the bus station, which is also not close to get to. Again, the last bus to Gudauri leaves Tbilisi at 17:00 (on weekends - at 17:30), after which you can only leave by taxi. You can calculate the cost and pre-order a taxi here: Taxi in Gudauri

Do not forget that fares are paid in local currency - lari.

Another option - rent a car to not only get to the resort, but also to see other attractions during rest. You can find out the cost of renting a car and book it here: Car rental in Georgia

If this issue has already been resolved, move on to the next one - book a hotel in Gudauri.

Accommodation: Gudauri hotels

Hotels in Gudauri are mostly 3-4 star; and like in any other resort in Georgia, guest houses are popular here. There are no 5* hotels yet. But they will appear in a couple of years, because... are already under construction.

All buildings are usually made in chalet style. Almost all hotels are within walking distance from the ski lifts. Some hotels in Gudauri were built back in the late 80s - early 90s.

One of these first hotels is the hotel Marco Polo 4*, and it is still one of the best hotels today. It is also the largest - 123 rooms. Meals - HB (breakfast + dinner).

Hotel Gudauri Inn— 700 meters from the ski lift, to which there is a free shuttle upon request. The hotel has 60 rooms. The best views of the Aragvi valley. Food - NV.

Club-2100 Hotel 4*- at a level of 2100 meters, next to the highway. panoramic views from the large outdoor terrace. 54 rooms, cozy and calm atmosphere, free transfer to the cable car, meals - HB

Good Aura Hotel 3*— 16 rooms, in the center of Gudauri, meals — breakfast only. There is a swimming pool. Was opened in 2013.

Carpe Diem Hotel 3*— 52 rooms, opened in 2011. Food — HB. There is a sauna, cinema, conference room 100 m from the cable car. The hotel has another building at an altitude of 2000 meters

Alpina Hotel 3*— 60 rooms, BB meals, 500 meters from the cable car, there is a SPA center, a beautiful lobby bar, a restaurant with Georgian and European cuisine, a terrace bar.

Freerider Hotel 3*— 32 rooms, HB meals, swimming pool + sauna, conference room. Favorite hotel for fans of free ride, 200-250 m from the cable car.

Gudauri-Hut 3*— a little old, 31 rooms, fitness center, sauna, HB meals, 300 meters from the cable car

Monte Gudauri Hotel 3*— 17 rooms, HB, opened in 2015 at an altitude of 2200 meters. 400 m from the cable car landing, ski descent directly to the hotel.

T ruso Hotel 3* - open since 2006, 14 rooms, meals - breakfast, restaurant, grill bar.

Edelweiss Hotel 4* (but the level is like a good 3) - 28 rooms, HB meals, everything is within walking distance

Hotel Donata 3*— 22 rooms, BB meals, rental of equipment, cars and bicycles at the hotel. Descent to the hotel on skis.

There are also cottages at the resort. As a rule, they are rented to a company of 4-10 people. But there are not very many such accommodations in Gudauri.

In general, hotel prices in Gudauri are not low anyway, but in the high season prices increase so much that it is cheaper to relax in Tbilisi itself.

Trails in Gudauri

Gudauri has a good variety of trails. The lower station of the lift is at an altitude of 1990m, and the upper one is at 3307m. The length of the tracks is 50 km. The total number of tracks is 22.

They are served by 11 lifts. Lifts Doppelmayer, Poma. The resort's lifts can simultaneously transport 11,000 people:

In the summer of 2018, work began on the construction of a new Kobi-Gudauri gondola cable car, and preparations are underway for the launch of artificial snowmaking of the second stage.

But most of all, the resort is popular with those skiers who prefer freeride - i.e. off-piste skiing. Wide slopes located above forest level and accessible directly from the ski lifts, the absence of large rocks and abysses, combined with heavy snowfalls and varied terrain - all this makes Gudauri a paradise for riders!

Local guides will be happy to show you fields and couloirs with untouched snow. In addition, groups are organized for ski tours. In addition, Georgia is one of the countries where heli-skiing is allowed. There is evening skiing.

Ski passes, rentals and instructor services

Prices for ski passes in Gudauri are approximately as follows:

In any hotel, as well as near the ski lifts, there are rental points . Equipment prices are as follows:

• Set of skis + boots + poles - $13, set of boots + board - $13
• Helmet, gloves, glasses - $3 per item.

The resort has a ski school - Ski Gudauri - the largest ski school in Georgia. Experienced instructors will teach you and your children how to ride. The cost of a group lesson is about $20 per lesson; children over 6 years old are allowed to participate in group lessons. Individual training with an instructor - from $25 per hour.

The resort has well-organized lifeguard work. These guys are constantly driving along the slope, monitoring the situation. Emergency response - no more than 5-10 minutes.

If injuries occur, hospitalization may be required. To ensure that this moment passes without financial losses, it is recommended to take out medical insurance in advance, since it is not included in the price of the ski pass.

You can choose the optimal ski insurance and pay for the policy here: Insurance for traveling abroad

What to do after skiing

Of course, Gudauri is not Courchevel or even Krasnaya Polyana. Therefore, you should not expect a stormy evening (and night) program from him. There are no shopping malls, skating rinks, bowling alleys, water parks and other “bourgeois” delights here.

You can relax after skiing in one of the pools:

• Swimming pool and Spa center in New Gudauri, Building 2.
• Swimming pool and Spa center in New Gudauri Suites.
• Swimming pool and Spa center in the Mgzavrebi house.
• Swimming pool and Spa center at the Marco Polo Hotel

In the evening, the entire active public in Gudauri moves to bars and restaurants . But they are in complete order here! The resort offers both establishments with excellent service and an impressive menu (both in terms of prices and assortment), as well as affordable cafe-bars:

• Powder Bar in the Burjanadz House - craft Georgian beer, European cuisine;
• Restaurant Pasanauri— Kartvelian cuisine: kharcho soup, various types of golden brown khachapuri, eggplant rolls and vegetable salad with walnuts. Khinkali here is prepared not only with meat, but also with cheese and potatoes; ojakhuri - with meat or mushrooms;
• Hotel restaurant Club-2100— Georgian and European cuisine, all this is accompanied by a beautiful panorama of the Caucasus mountains;
• LODGE Hotel Restaurant - folk Georgian cuisine in European style; from 8.30 to 10.00 and from 17.00 to 19.00. a buffet is organized, which can also be attended by guests of other hotels,
• Hreki Tavern - Georgian cuisine at affordable prices, a signature dish called Khreki (40 GEL) is designed for a company of 4-5 people and consists of assorted meats - quail, chicken, veal, beef with potatoes, tomatoes.

Of course, not a single meal in Georgia is complete without drinking wine. Quite normal Georgian wine is sold for 4-5 lari per bottle.

If you need something stronger, feel free to order local cognac or chacha. Experienced “tasters” highly recommend buying cognac of the “David Sarajishvili” brand “Askaneli”. These are the best cognacs in Georgia. Chacha is moonshine made from grapes. Chacha is drunk easily and naturally. But your head will still hurt in the morning.

To our surprise, in a country that is famous for its wines, they also readily drink beer. Especially at a ski resort, especially young people.

What to see if you get tired of riding

If you get tired of riding or the weather is “unflyable”, then from Gudauri you can organize the following exciting excursion routes :

• in Kazbegi, which is located 50 km from Gudauri.
• to the Zhinvali reservoir and Annanuri fortress,
• in the Truso gorge
• in Tbilisi, finally...

You can see all this with good guides who will show you the most interesting angles and tell you a fascinating story about each place.

In general, if you wish, you can organize a decent apres-ski in Gudauri.

And if we start getting acquainted with ski Georgia , then it’s better to start with Gudauri.

So, my list of arguments in favor of Gudauri is as follows:

1. This is one of the most interesting resorts for skiing both on and off piste.
2. Currently, the resort is actively developing. Of course, in terms of infrastructure development it is still inferior to Alpine resorts, but in terms of off-piste skiing opportunities, amount of snow and most importantly - price level - this is a very interesting option among all other resorts in the Caucasus!
3. Here you will fully experience the flavor of Georgia, with all that it implies: there will be the hospitality of the locals, and their pride in their country, and a lot of wine and other drinks...
4. Beautiful views. Yes, the Caucasus mountains are all very beautiful, and all very different. So, in Gudauri it’s really not just a view, it’s a postcard.
5. There is something to complement the skating. Even if you are unlucky with the weather or get tired of riding, you will always have something to do outside your hotel room.

Decide for yourself whether you agree with them or not.

Have a great season everyone and see you on the blog!