Apr 15, 2022

A Guide To Skiing In Georgia for Only $20 A Day. 🇬🇪

by Created2Travel .

Skiing/snowboarding can be an expensive sport, but in Georgia (the country) it’s not. This guide to skiing in Georgia will break down the journey, accommodation and skiing costs.

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Entry requirements

As a country, Georgia is open armed to visitors and offers visa free entry to many different nationalities. Fully vaccinated citizens of most countries, or those who have recently recovered from Covid-19 and have been partially vaccinated, are allowed unrestricted entry into Georgia.

If you are not vaccinated, you require to present a PCR test no less that 72 hours when traveling into the country. You will also require to take a PCR test on day 3 at your expense.

The route

When you land into Georgia you can either hire a taxi, schedule a tour or rent a car. Renting a car is by far the most flexible option which will allow you to experience the country at your own pace. A 4x4 costs around $60 per day and standard vehicle approximately $35 per day.

The country itself is modern and the roads are well maintained. It’s an easy drive with scenic views and vintage cars from the classical era that set the scene. It takes around 2 1/2 hours to get from the airport to Gudauri ski resort. We usually travel during February where the snow slightly starts to settle, so the roads are not as dangerous to drive on.

A Guide To Skiing In Georgia for Only $20 A Day.

Where to stay?

There are a few main ski resorts and a number of small hotels in Gudauri. We'd advise to stay as close as you can to the resort to gain easy access to the main ski lift and not carry around your gear for long periods of time.

The place we stayed was called Deka house, it’s around a 10 minute uphill walk to the resort. It’s super cosy, breakfast and dinner is included and there’s a sauna and steam room you can book to yourself. It costs around $80 per night to stay at this place.

Cost breakdown

🎫 Ski pass ‑ $20 per day
Gives you full access to all the slopes, beginner to advanced. This usually costs around $90 in other countries.

🎿 Rental equipment ‑ $11 per day
If you do not have your own equipment, not to worry, you can rent a snowboard/skis, boots, helmet and goggles from the resort for around $11 per day.

The resort

You might have previously seen a video of a ski‑lift malfunctioning at this resort. Ever since the incident, they shut the resort to revamp all the ski lifts. We had visited the resort prior and after, and saw a difference with all the up to date equipment. It felt safe before but now feels much more secure, the lifts glide up the mountain.

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The resort opens from around 10th December until late April when the snow starts to clear. The slopes vary and probably are a piece of cake for the advanced lot, but they do get steep, especially at the top parts of the mountain.

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The snow is powdered up in February and maintained daily, making it a perfect place to board or ski. If you are looking for an affordable skiing getaway, consider Gudauri resort to be next on your list.