Winter in Georgia is very attractive for spending a holiday in this Caucasian country. Spring, summer and autumn are the best for fascinating excursions, wine tasting and trips along picturesque mountain tracks. And when the mountainsides are covered with heavy snow, Georgia becomes one of the best destinations for all fans of skiing and snowboarding, as this is the right place for first-class mountain resorts that are famous for their quality, variety of tracks and developed infrastructure. Mountains in Georgia are unique because of the Caucasian mountain ridge (with the highest peak in Europe – Elbrus) that keeps harsh arctic cyclones away from the country, and from November to May provides mild pleasant wind from the Black Sea. The major part of winter is rather mild and severe frost beats very rarely here. These features naturally caused the burst of mountain resorts in the country. The first one was already opened in the beginning of the 20th century. The most well-known spots for winter holidays in Georgia are Bakuriani and Gudauri. Gudauri is famous for its soft snow, length of tracks and beauty of surrounding mountains. Bakuriani has always been known as the winter sports preparation center for sportsmen: the steepest slopes that are highly valued by both skiing and snowboard professionals. Finally, the third mountain resort that is becoming more and more popular is the city of Mestia not far from two ski chalets – Khatsvali and Tetnuldi.
GUDAURI
It is the closest mountain resort to Tbilisi – only 120km far (2hrs drive). Gudauri is situated on the height of 2200m above the sea level. The upper station of the cable car road is marked on the height of 3007m. There are several tracks developed there, from the simple ones up to so-called “red” run, and the most extended slope is 7km long. In addition, the ski resort supplies with heli ski services and a huge space for free riders. Experienced skiers and snowboarders love Gudauri for its special soft snow. There you can find the space for all-round holiday apart from skiing such as bowling, indoor swimming pool, baths, massage and numerous restaurants with the most delicious Georgian cuisine and famous Georgian wine.
BAKURIANI
It is another famous mountain resort even since the Soviet Union times. It is located 180 km away from Tbilisi and only 30 km away from well-known Borjomi. Before there was one of the main USSR camps for winter types of sport – slalom, bobsleigh, biathlon and springboard dives. In addition, Bakuriani was a candidate to host Winter Olympic Games in 2014. This place would perfectly suit for a family holiday, as there are many tracks for children and beginners in skiing, and many picturesque places for excursions and promenades. Bakuriani nature is a separate attraction surrounded with woods, filled with fresh mountain air. This place will sound attractive even for professional skiers and snowboarders – tracks in Bakuriani are the steepest in entire Georgia, with a slope of up to 50 degrees.
MESTIA
This is a new mountain resort in the heart of famous Svaneti, the destination of mountain dwellers, ancient towers and severe snow-capped peaks. There are no mountain tracks within the city itself, however there is a ski chalet Khatsvali located only 8km away from it, and Tetnuldi – in 15km. Mestia is rather distant from Tbilisi – over 450km, but the beauty of this wonderful place will make up for weariness of the trip. Khatsvali is a young developing ski chalet on the height of 1865m, with three medium runs: for professionals, for experienced skiers and beginners. Tetnuldi nature is vivid and distinguished among other Geogian ski resorts; tracks are notably complicated. This place is called after the mountain of the same name that is 4869m high with 3165 m long cable road. This gives a great space for skiing, and the longest track stretches for 9.5 km. Thus, mountains resorts of Mestia unite both, a great ski ride experience and breathtaking beauty of Svaneti mountains.
Special thanks to Advantour.com !
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