Gudauri

გუდაური

Georgia's premier ski resort, set high on the Greater Caucasus slopes with wide open pistes and off-piste terrain. In summer it draws paragliders and hikers with sweeping alpine panoramas.

Things to do

• Skiing the open pistes — Glide down Gudauri's famously wide, treeless slopes served by modern gondolas and chairlifts across several sectors.
• Off-piste and freeride — Hire a guide to explore the powder bowls and backcountry runs beyond the marked pistes on the Kudebi and Sadzele ridges.
• Heliskiing — Take a helicopter to remote high-altitude peaks for descents through untouched Caucasus snowfields.
• Paragliding tandem flight — Soar off the alpine ridges in summer or winter for sweeping views over the Devil's Valley and surrounding peaks.
• Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument — Stop at this colorful mosaic rotunda perched on a cliff edge with panoramic views into the Devil's Valley gorge.
• Summer hiking to Lomisi — Trek to the hilltop Lomisi Monastery or across the alpine meadows blooming with wildflowers above the resort.
• Gveleti Waterfalls day trip — Drive north along the Georgian Military Highway toward Kazbegi to reach these forest waterfalls near Dariali Gorge.
• Snowmobile and quad tours — Ride motorized tours across the snow-covered plateaus or summer trails for an adrenaline-fueled alpine excursion.

Food to try

• Khinkali — Juicy twisted dumplings filled with spiced meat broth, a mountain staple best eaten by hand after a day on the slopes.
• Khachapuri — Cheese-filled bread served in Imeretian round or boat-shaped Adjarian style topped with egg and butter.
• Mtsvadi — Georgian shashlik of skewered pork or veal grilled over vine embers, popular at Gudauri's mountain grills.
• Ostri — A hearty spicy beef stew in tomato and herb sauce that warms you up in the cold Caucasus evenings.
• Chacha — Strong Georgian grape brandy often offered as a warming toast in the resort's bars and guesthouses.
• Georgian wine — Try qvevri-fermented Saperavi or amber wines that accompany nearly every mountain meal.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect the supra toasts — At a Georgian feast a tamada (toastmaster) leads structured toasts, and it's polite to wait and drink together.
• Come prepared for altitude and weather — Gudauri sits above 2,000 meters where sun is intense and conditions change fast, so bring layers and sunscreen.
• Drive the Military Highway cautiously — The road to Gudauri can close for snow and features steep switchbacks, so check conditions before travel.
• Cash and Georgian hospitality — Smaller guesthouses may prefer cash in lari, and hosts often treat guests generously with food and drink.

Nearby

• Georgian Military Road — 6 km
• Truso Valley — 12 km
• Gergeti Trinity Church — 24 km
• Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) — 24 km