18 Things to Know Before You Visit Gudauri (Travel Tips)
22 min readIt took me four years of living in Georgia, but this winter I finally got to experience my first proper ski holiday at the country’s most popular resort, Gudauri.
As someone who is not particularly into winter sports, I was hesitant about visiting Gudauri as a non-skier. Plus I had been to the resort a handful of times during summer, spring and autumn and I knew what it was like. My preconceptions about Gudauri were not overly positive.
After a few days in Gudauri this February, I have to admit that I was wrong about Gudauri. It can be an excellent experience provided you visit at the right time of year and plan your trip properly.
The resort has a lot of quirks (some of which I will run through in this post) and is far from perfect. But as is so often the case in Georgia, it’s the natural beauty of the location – namely the majestic Greater Caucasus mountains – that really makes Gudauri worth visiting.
Whether you’re embarking on a dedicated skiing/snowboarding holiday or you are just visiting for the winter landscapes and other activities, my first-hand travel tips and pointers will hopefully help you travel Gudauri like a pro.
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Understanding Gudauri
Gudauri is one of four established ski resorts in Georgia and of those, it is undoubtedly the most popular – both among Georgians (where there is a robust ski culture) and among foreign tourists.
A big part of the reason for this is the location: Gudauri is just 120 kilometres (75 miles) from the capital, Tbilisi, and can be reached in a little over 2 hours.
Gudauri is a relatively new resort and is much younger than Bakuriani in southern Georgia, which was developed in the 1930s. The first ski lift in Gudauri opened in 1988, but it wasn’t until the early 2000s after Georgia regained its independence and some sense of post-Soviet economic stability that the development of Gudauri really started to take off.
Today, it has some of the best winter sports infrastructure in Georgia, including 40 kilometres of groomed slopes and 15 modern chairlifts, gondolas and platter lifts. The resort has hosted a number of events, including the Snowboard Cross World Cup and the Snowboard Junior World Championship.
Broadly speaking, Gudauri has three ‘sections’: Old Gudauri, the original part of the resort; New Gudauri, a developed area with apartment blocks and several lifts/gondolas (the main focus of the resort today); and the Recreation Zone, an elevated area with snow parks, more lifts to access higher runs, and several restaurants and bars.
Basic things to know about Gudauri
1. Gudauri is a purpose-built resort, not a charming alpine village
First and foremost, it’s important to understand that Gudauri was specifically built to be a winter resort. The ski slopes put Gudauri on the map – literally. Before the 1980s, there was nothing much here apart from a post office and a few factories (all of which are now abandoned).
Gudauri is not a cute village with cobbled streets and historic architecture. There is no old town, no museums or galleries – and strangely for Georgia, there is only one (modern) church. There is no high street for shopping, no Christmas market (you will have to travel to Tbilisi for festive cheer), no defined dining precinct, and the apres-ski options are limited to a handful of bars nestled in the bottom of New Gudauri apartment blocks.
All this means that Gudauri has a very different vibe to other ski resorts in Europe. There are less activities off the slopes than you might be used to. Compared to the rest of Georgia, it feels heavy handed and somewhat artificial. At times, you don’t feel like you are in Georgia at all.
But, Gudauri is still aesthetically pleasing – in fact, one of my biggest takeaways from my recent trip was just how magnificent it really is. The scale of the mountains is overwhelming, and in certain places you feel as if you are completely enveloped by high peaks. The resort sits at 1,500-4,200 metres above sea level and is 100% above the treeline, meaning unobstructed, crisp white snowscapes in every direction.
Key takeaway: Gudauri’s real asset is its rugged beauty. This is a dedicated winter sports destination, not a cultural experience.
2. The best (and only) time to visit Gudauri is between January & March
Gudauri has a firmly defined tourist season: Mid-December until mid-April. This past winter, the ski lifts in Gudauri officially launched on December 20, 2023 and are scheduled to close on or around April 16, 2024.
Snowfall varies from year to year and does have a significant impact on the resort’s running dates. Generally speaking, you can expect the best conditions for skiing to fall between January and early March. Unfortunately there are no proper snow cams in Gudauri, only one livestream run by a local cafe that sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t.
Like the rest of Georgia, Gudauri is still a relatively obscure destination on the world stage. Supply far exceeds demand in terms of accommodation, and at certain times you can go a whole day without having to queue once for a chairlift.
The weeks around New Year and Orthodox Christmas (roughly December 25-January 7) tend to be busier with local tourists. The remainder of January and the first weeks of February are much quieter. As many visitors to Gudauri come from the UAE, you should try to avoid visiting during the UAE spring break (the last two weeks of March approximately).
There are several advantages to visiting Gudauri in early March or the first weeks of April. Accommodation prices go down significantly after February, and by April, ski passes are discounted by 50%.
There is no real reason to visit Gudauri outside of winter. There are moves to make Gudauri a perennial destination by investing in mountain bike trails, paragliding and other adventure sports – but at the moment, there are alternative places in Georgia that are better for these activities.
Most of the people who live and work in Gudauri are transient, coming and going with the snow. A lot of hotels and businesses close up at the end of the ski season, and you won’t find much in the way of bars and restaurants open during summer.
While you might want to stop in Gudauri to visit the panoramic viewpoint and ride the scenic cable car to Kobi, there is no reason to spend more than an hour here outside of winter.
Instead, you should continue on and stay in Kazbegi, where there are several important churches and monasteries (including the iconic Gergeti Trinity), more accommodations, and better restaurants.
Key takeaway: The best time to visit Gudauri is from late January until early March. There is no reason to stay here outside of winter.
3. Private transfer is the best way to get in from Tbilisi
Gudauri is a 2-3 hour drive from Tbilisi depending on traffic and conditions. The only way in is via the Georgian Military Highway, the lone road connection between Georgia and Russia.
With no coach or shuttle bus system linking the resort with the capital, the best way to get to Gudauri is with a private transfer.
GoTrip.ge is my preferred service and what I used when I visited Gudauri this winter. All drivers have winter tires (now mandatory for this road) and are vetted for safe driving practices.
When you hire a private driver, you can make a day of it by stopping off at the various points of interest along the Military Road between Tbilisi and Gudauri. You can also visit Forest Sabaduri along the way.
Here is an example itinerary I made for an A to B sightseeing road trip.
Experienced drivers may wish to hire a car and self-drive to Gudauri. Note that parking in certain areas (especially New Gudauri) is limited, so you will need to choose a hotel with onsite parking.
If you are arriving in Georgia at Kutaisi International Airport, there is a direct shuttle bus in the winter months operated by Georgian Bus. See this transport guide for details.
If you are coming from Tbilisi, marshrutka minivan is the only form of public transport available. In winter, the schedule is quite limited, and it can be challenging to take large bags and oversized items such as skis on a marshrutka. Safety is an important consideration when travelling this road in winter. See this transport guide for important tips and suggestions.
Even though the Military Highway is cleaned and maintained throughout the winter, there are still chronic road closures between December and April. A new tunnel is currently under construction to ease traffic and divert the huge number of freight trucks that travel this road every day.
Key takeaway: Use GoTrip to book a private transfer to/from Gudauri. If self-driving, make sure you have winter tires and always check road conditions before you set off via Geo Road.
4. It might be close to the border, but Gudauri is safe for tourists
Despite its close proximity to the border (Gudauri is closer to the Russian city of Vladikavkaz than it is to Tbilisi), Gudauri is for all intents and purposes a safe place to visit.
The Georgian Military Highway is a major trade route for lorries travelling north from Turkey, Armenia and beyond. Kazbegi and Gudauri are two of Georgia’s most popular travel destinations. If there were any substantial security concerns, you would have heard about it.
Looking at the map, you will notice that Gudauri is very close to the dotted line that demarcates the South Ossetia ‘border’ zone. South Ossetia (Tskhinvali/Samachablo) is a disputed territory and was the flashpoint of the Georgia-Russia War in 2008. It is inaccessible from Georgia – and it is near impossible to accidentally walk over the border as it is all very high mountains and ridges. Again, there is no immediate safety concern.
Exercise the same common-sense caution in Gudauri as you would anywhere in Georgia.
Key takeaway: At the time of writing, Gudauri is a safe destination. Stay abreast of the news and always follow any official advice issued by your embassy.
5. Moving around is tricky, so it is essential to stay close to a ski lift
I don’t think I will be ruffling any feathers by saying that Gudauri is not the most well-planned of ski resorts. Because of the ad-hoc nature of its development, you have hotels and services scattered all along the busy Georgian Military Highway.
The lack of public transportation, absence of a public shuttle and the fact that taxis are overpriced means that you will probably be getting around on foot. Walking along the slushy side of the Military Highway as trucks rush past is no fun – believe me!
The best solution is to stay close to a lift station. All of the lifts and gondolas in Gudauri are interconnected (or in close proximity to one another), so just as long as you can easily access one, you can jump between them as a sort of public transport.
This is not only important for accessing the ski slopes, but also for getting to restaurants and shops, which are mostly clustered around the lift stations.
I recommend staying in New Gudauri, in Old Gudauri near the Pirveli Lift, or on the highway near the bottom station for the Shino Lift.
Key takeaway: The closer you can be to a ski lift, the better. See this post for my detailed advice on where to stay in Gudauri, including hotel recommendations.
6. WIFI, ATMs, bathrooms & other facilities
All hotels and restaurants in Gudauri provide free WIFI. The connection might be spotty in places depending on how remote the place is (when you read hotel reviews for Gudauri, you will see this complaint pops up a lot). I had no trouble getting online when I was in Gudauri, but I was mostly relying on my own 4G.
I highly recommend buying a Georgian SIM or eSIM for use in Gudauri. Multi-country eSIMs such as Airalo will also work, but they are less reliable in the mountains because of the network type they use.
Magti is the most reliable option for Gudauri and rural Georgia in general. There is no Magti store in Gudauri, so if you’re coming directly from Tbilisi Airport or indeed from Kutaisi Airport, make sure you pick up a SIM before you leave.
There are several ATMs in Gudauri if you need to withdraw cash, including a TBC machine in Old Gudauri and a Bank of Georgia ATM inside the Spar supermarket entrance in New Gudauri. Card is universally accepted at all restaurants and ski hire shops. If you haven’t pre-paid for your accommodation, do check that they will accept card (some smaller hotels and guesthouses might not).
There are a few public bathrooms on the slopes in Gudauri. Most cost 1 or 2 GEL to use, so keep some coins handy. I recommend using the facilities at a restaurant or bar where possible.
Gudauri has most of the conveniences you could ask for, but the resort infrastructure does have a ways to go. Every year there are power outages that leave skiers stranded on the slopes. (Note that the resort does have generators, so if the lifts lose power they can at least get everyone safely down.)
The first year I lived in Georgia, the entire resort experienced a debilitating water shortage as the reservoir used to supply potable water was drained by the snow machines. Thankfully this was a one-off incident.
We didn’t experience anything like that during our visit, but the week before there had been an extended power cut that caused a lot of frustration among visitors.
Key takeaway: Buy a local SIM to stay connected. Card is widely accepted, and cash machines are available. Be mindful that the infrastructure in Gudauri is somewhat lacking and some patience is required.
Things to know about skiing in Gudauri
7. Gudauri is mostly geared towards beginner & intermediate skiers
Of the 20 marked ski runs in Gudauri, more than 50% of them are classified as intermediate. Gudauri uses the European system: Beginner runs are marked as green lines, intermediates are blue, advanced are red, and experts are black.
This means that Gudauri is well suited to novice and first-time skiers. The lack of crowds really helps with this, too – you can always find a quiet spot to practise without having to worry about getting in someone’s way. The Recreation Zone has a snow park and two gentle slopes (Bombora and Baby) that are suitable for kids.
There are only two black runs and four advanced runs in Gudauri. These are all located around Mount Sadzele and Mount Kudebi – the highest parts of the resort at 3,276 and 3,006 metres above sea level respectively. At the time of my visit, both of these lifts were closed every day. Mount Sadzele is very rarely open.
Advanced skiers might be more inclined to try off-piste skiing or ski touring. Because Gudauri is still not overly developed, you can find abundant opportunities in the area for freeriding.
Catskiing and heliskiing are also available, and on weekends, the Pirveli Lift stays open late for night skiing.
Key takeaway: Gudauri is ideal for beginner and intermediate skiers. Advanced skiers might exhaust their options after a few days, in which case there are opportunities for off-piste and ski touring.
8. There are several ski schools to choose from
Beginner skiers will appreciate the many ski school offerings in Gudauri. Both Georgian and international instructors are available for lessons in English, German, Italian, Russian and other languages.
I took lessons with Vagabond Adventures, who kindly hosted me so that I could get a feel for their methods. The team is made up of certified instructors from Georgia, the States, Europe and other countries. They have a solid reputation for safety and I found my instructor, Alex, to be exceedingly patient.
Having not skied for 20 years, I was pretty sceptical going into my first lesson, but it was the highlight of my visit! By the end of the session I was parallel skiing on an intermediate run.
Vagabond offers private and small group skiing/snowboarding lessons plus backcountry expeditions and other winter activities including snowshoe hiking. Book online via the website and use the promocode wanderlush10 to get 10% off.
In winter 2022/23, Gudauri made the international news when tensions between local and international ski instructors reached a boiling point. The situation was made worse by a temporary ban on paragliding (a decision made following a tragic accident the previous summer) that prompted some former instructors to move over to the ski fields.
For the most part this situation has been defused. I did not sense any tensions in Gudauri this year – I thought the resort had a great vibe and a nice sense of comradery.
Key takeaway: Vagabond Adventures is my top pick of the ski schools in Gudauri. Use the code wanderlush10 to save 10% off your booking.
9. The layout of the resort is fairly straightforward, but there is limited signage & trail markings
I don’t have much experience skiing, but even so I do feel that Gudauri is a bit disorganised when it comes to navigating the slopes and figuring out where to go.
There is not much signage at all. I only saw one map sign the whole time I was there, and you have to request a paper trail map from the ticket office if you want one (or use this online piste map). Google Maps is a complete mess in Gudauri – all the lift stations are labelled incorrectly.
On the few trails I visited, there was next to no signage either. There are waymarkers pointing towards the different lifts in the Recreation Zone, and thankfully these are all in English.
I genuinely don’t know how people were navigating the resort – unless they were using an app (the official MTA Gudauri app no longer works). If I hadn’t had a ski instructor with me, I would have been completely lost.
Key takeaway: A bit of prior research (or a good app) is required to familiarise yourself with the resort. It’s a great idea to hire a guide/instructor for a day to show you around. Remember to ask for a paper map when you buy your lift pass from the ticket office.
10. Skiing in Gudauri is very affordable by European standards
Gudauri is a very affordable place to ski by any measure. In 2024, the price of a single day lift pass was 70 GEL (around 24 EUR), plus a 5 GEL refundable deposit for a rechargeable plastic card. That’s less than half the average price of a ski pass at other resorts in Europe, which according to Planet Ski was 66.46 EUR for the 2023/4 season.
You can save by purchasing a multi day pass, ranging from 140 GEL for two days to 340 GEL for six days. Childrens’ passes for kids aged 6-12 are half that, and kids under six ride for free.
A single chairlift ride costs just 14 GEL (4.80 EUR), while the most expensive ticket type, an unlimited Multiski pass for all of Georgia’s resorts, goes for 650 GEL (223 EUR).
Gear hire is also very reasonable (see below), and you can find good deals on accommodation starting from approximately 50 Euro/night outside of peak times.
It’s a slightly different story once you get off the slopes and into the restaurants and supermarkets, however. See point #15 below.
Key takeaway: Gudauri is a budget-friendly ski destination. However, some of the off-slope costs are disproportionate. Budget accordinging.
11. Hiring equipment is easy, but the quality might not be what you’re used to
There are dozens of hire shops in both Old and New Gudauri. These range from informal stands to more professional outfitters.
Prices are quoted per day and are more or less uniform between all shops. You can expect to pay 50 GEL (17 EUR) for skis, poles and boots; 70 GEL for a snowboard and boots; and 10 GEL for a helmet.
Again, supply outstrips demand, and most shops have a big variety of sizes. However, a lot of the gear in Gudauri is second-hand or well-worn and therefore not in the best shape.
For example, my skis had an issue with the brakes. I have also heard of people hiring skis with bindings that gave out on the slopes. Most shops don’t ask for a safety deposit (only photo ID), but if you lose a ski, you will have to pay for it.
I used Aviator Ski Rental in New Gudauri for my gear. If you have a lesson booked with Vagabond they will give you a 20% discount off all items.
Key takeaway: Gear is in no short supply and prices are affordable. But due to the poor quality of some items, you might want to bring your own gear from home if you are a serious skier.
12. The slopes are south-facing, so pack your goggles & sunscreen
All of the ski slopes in Gudauri (with the exception of two blue runs on the opposite side of the Kobi Pass) are south-facing. Bright and sunny conditions are the norm on clear days.
You definitely need goggles when skiing and sunglasses for other activities. I also recommend bringing your own sunscreen, as this is one item that is absurdly overpriced in Gudauri (160 GEL for a small bottle from the pharmacy).
Keep in mind that because of the aspect, some of the runs are soft by the afternoon and get slushy towards the end of the season.
Key takeaway: Bring the appropriate clothing and equipment, including sun protection gear and most importantly, sunscreen.
13. Gudauri is late to rise
A major point of difference between Gudauri and other ski resorts in Europe is the restrictive opening hours.
If you have experience travelling in Georgia then it won’t shock you to learn that Gudauri does not rise early. In the winter season (December through February), the ski lifts start running at 10am and close at 5pm. If there has been heavy snowfall and/or wind overnight, it is likely that the opening time will be pushed back.
In spring (March and April) the lifts open an hour earlier at 9am, but close at 4pm. So either way you only have 7 hours on the slopes. On some weekends, the lifts have extended hours for night skiing.
The ticket offices observe the same schedule. In the mornings there is usually a queue, so it’s best to arrive 20-30 minutes after opening to allow some time for the first group to move through. Two out of the three mornings I was in Gudauri the ticket office opened late.
On the plus side, a lot of the restaurants and cafes in Gudauri open before 10am so you can grab breakfast before heading off.
To the best of my knowledge it is not possible to buy a next-day lift pass. So if you need to top up your Multicard, you have to do it the morning of.
Key takeaway: Plan to have breakfast at home or at a cafe before you hit the slopes. Expect further delays to the ski lifts if there is heavy snow or wind.
14. Georgian ski culture has many other idiosyncrasies
Georgia as a travel destination has a lot of quirks, and Gudauri is not immune to many of them. After getting off to a slow start in the morning, you might find the whole resort has a somewhat laid-back or even lackadaisical vibe compared to other ski resorts you have visited.
This manifests in many ways. The most obvious thing I noticed was the attitude of the lifties (staff manning the chairlifts). Most of the time there was no one around to corral passengers or to help people on and off the lifts. The ground around the lifts is not terribly well maintained, and some of the stations had dangerous ice patches.
On one occasion I saw a man leap back onto a chairlift to try and grab a forgotten bag. His jacket hood got caught on the armrest and he almost got hoisted into the air. Thankfully someone noticed and hit the emergency stop button at the last second.
I did see the lifts stop numerous times during my visit as the wind picked up, so I do think staff are reasonably cautious in this sense.
Etiquette on the slopes is probably different to what you’re used to, too. I regularly saw people stop in the middle of a run or by a mogul. One thing that really bugged me was the snowmobiles – people drive them all over New Gudauri, creating a huge amount of noise pollution.
Something that probably sets Gudauri apart from all other ski resorts is the multitude of stray dogs on the slopes! We met some very sweet snow dogs and puppies in Gudauri.
Key takeaway: Be aware that the on-slope etiquette is a bit more relaxed in Georgia. Take care when using the ski lifts.
15. Be mindful of your own safety & never ski without insurance
Everyone who works in Gudauri wants visitors to be safe. But you should be mindful of the fact that there are not a lot of rules or regulations.
Not all ski instructors are certified (there are moves to change this in the coming years), and basic things like wearing a helmet are not mandatory.
If you are using a ski school, choose wisely. I was more than satisfied with Vagabond Adventures: they require helmets, and all their instructors have an international certification. They also help to organise trainings for Georgian and foreign instructors to up-skill.
Off the slopes, Gudauri is as safe as anywhere else in Georgia. Petty crime is extremely rare, and it is safe for solo female travellers. There is a noticeable police presence in Gudauri, including a police station in New Gudauri near the ticket booth.
Emergency rescue and medical services are also available in Gudauri, stationed in the Recreation Area near the Kudebi Lift bottom station. There is an emergency clinic in Gudauri, but for anything serious you will need to make your way back to Tbilisi.
Never ski without insurance. If your travel insurance does not include winter sports/adventure coverage, or if you live in Georgia, then you might wish to take out a policy with local provider Ardi (this is what I did on my recent trip). Ardi’s Welcomer X-treme package covers skiing and snowboarding (emergency medical care and evacuation) and costs 15 GEL/day. Email them for a quote and policy wording in English.
For your safety, it is best to stick to the marked ski runs. If you are going off-piste, you must carry the appropriate gear and keep abreast of avalanche warnings. The group Georgia Avalanche and Snow Conditions is a helpful resource.
Key takeaway: Take precautions, be mindful of the approach to safety in Georgia, and never ski without insurance.
More helpful tips for visiting Gudauri
16. Off the slopes, Gudauri is one of the most expensive places in Georgia
Lift passes, gear hire and even accommodation might be relatively affordable, but other expenses including food and drink are expensive compared to the rest of Georgia.
But this is all a matter of perspective. If you’re coming from Western Europe or the States, you might think that 12 EUR/13 USD for a large pizza is perfectly normal – or even cheap. For Georgia, 34 GEL is quite steep.
Personally I found that restaurants and bars were roughly 40-60% more expensive here than in Tbilisi. Given that Gudauri is a ski resort, maybe that is to be expected.
At my favourite apres-ski, Black Dog Bar, we paid 13 GEL for a pint of craft beer. Supermarket prices were approximately the same in Gudauri as in Kutaisi/Tbilisi (bottled water for 50 tetri; bottled beer for 3 GEL). There are a few roadside stalls in Old Gudauri where you can buy homemade wine, churchkhela, fresh fruit, and other snacks.
Our worst experience was paying 13 GEL for a terrible cappuccino served in a disposable paper cup at Cafe Vitamin (and we were not even allowed to use their bathrooms).
Generally speaking, the higher you go, the more expensive it gets – we found restaurants in Old Gudauri were more reasonable, while places in the Recreation Area were overpriced.
The most affordable restaurant we found was Pasanauri, a chain with several branches in Tbilisi plus a venue in Old Gudauri. Ojakhuri (pork and potatoes) costs 20 GEL, an Imeruli khachapuri is 21 GEL, a plate of French fries is 9 GEL, khinkali goes for 2 GEL a piece, draft beer for 9 GEL, and Rkatsiteli wine for 7.5 GEL. Portion sizes were a little small, though.
For a budget-friendly snack, grab a takeaway pastitsie-like pastry from Cafe Gondola in the Recreation Zone (3 GEL for a substantial size stuffed with cheese, cabbage or a range of other yummy fillings).
Another cost to consider when budgeting for Gudauri is the price of transportation to get to and from the resort. But this is relatively inexpensive – on GoTrip, a private one-way transfer starts from 165 GEL (56 EUR) for the whole car.
Key takeaway: Budget your trip accordingly, and consider self-catering to save money.
17. There are plenty of other things to do in Gudauri, including for non-skiers & kids
This includes snowshoe hiking in the valleys north of Gudauri, and visiting the nearby town of Kazbegi, home of Gergeti Trinity Church.
For kids, there is an ice skating rink, and tubes and sleds to hire that you can take on the gentler runs.
Gudauri has a couple of saunas and spas, and a few of the more up-scale hotels and apartment complexes have indoor pools that you can use throughout winter.
Riding the various ski lifts is an adventure in itself. Ross and I spent a full day joyriding on the chairlifts and soaking up the scenery. The Kobi-Gudauri Cable Car is undoubtedly the highlight – see below.
Also see my guide, 12 Things to Do in Gudauri in Winter.
Key takeaway: Gudauri is primarily a skiing and snowboarding destination, but there are other activities available in winter. If you have a spare day, take a side trip to Kazbegi via the Kobi Cable Car.
18. The Kobi-Gudauri Cable Car is a must-do
For a bit of a thrill and some of the best scenery in Georgia, you must take this opportunity to ride the Kobi-Gudauri Cable Car.
The enclosed gondola has four stages, with the top Kobi Station on the Kobi Pass being the most impressive. The views up are stunning, and as you disembark at the station you get a clear look right towards Mount Kazbek, Georgia’s third-highest peak.
The four lifts are covered by your ski pass, or you can buy a separate ticket for 45 GEL for the gondolas only.
For more details, see my complete guide to riding the Gudauri-Kobi Cable Car.
Key takeaway: Do not miss it!
Where to stay in Gudauri
BOUTIQUE HOTEL: Ati Ambavi Boutique Hotel Gudauri (⭐ 9.5). This gorgeous hotel offers doubles, suites and studios, all beautifully furnished with cosy mountain-lodge-style decor and boasting mountain views. There is a restaurant, a bar, a shared lounge, and a sauna, plus a free shuttle bus to access the Shino Lift.
SKI-IN HOTEL: Marco Polo (⭐ 8.1). Located in Old Gudauri, this family-friendly hotel has ski-in ski-out access from the Pirveli Chairlift. Rooms are simple but elegant, with modern bathrooms. The hotel has an onsite spa and a restaurant.
MID-RANGE HOTEL: Hotel Toni (⭐ 9.7). With easy access to the Pirveli Chairlift, this hotel has an unbeatable location for the price. Rooms are basic but clean, and a home-cooked breakfast and dinner are available. The hosts here are known for being helpful and warm.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY HOSTEL: Riders House New Gudauri (⭐ 9.0). The most popular hostel in Gudauri, Riders House is one of the first buildings you come to when exiting the gondola. Choose from modern mixed dorms (4 or 6-bunk) or a private king room.
