Ski season 2026/27 in Georgia: how to drive to the resorts

On 17 September 2026 the Minister of Infrastructure, Revaz Sokhadze, inspected construction of the Khulo – Zarzma road in Adjara and said that one of the ministry's main goals is that, in most cases, traffic in Georgia should not be closed in any direction in winter. Last winter that was not the case everywhere. On the mountain roads to the ski resorts, traffic was stopped because of avalanches and blizzards, and during snowfall some sections were open only to four-wheel-drive vehicles.

In this article we explain how to drive to Gudauri, Bakuriani, Goderdzi and Mestia in winter: when the resorts open, what happens on the road to each of them, what car you need and what the law requires.

When the 2026/27 season opens

The Gudauri, Bakuriani, Goderdzi and Mestia ski resorts are run by the state company Mountain Trails Agency; until 2022 it was called the Mountain Resorts Development Company. The company reports to the Ministry of Economy, and the start of the season is announced by the ministry.

On 9 October 2026 Deputy Minister of Economy Irakli Nadareishvili announced that the season will open at all resorts on 20 December, with a large celebration in Gudauri. The programme of the celebration has not been published yet.

A year ago the opening was also set for 20 December, but on that day only the lifts on Kokhta in Bakuriani started running. Didveli opened on 22 December, and Gudauri, Goderdzi and Zuruldi in Mestia on 27 December. Pistes were opened gradually, as snow fell. A Reddit user who works as an instructor in Gudauri advises counting on mid-January:

"Depending on how much snow we get, the slopes might have some brown spots. But usually by the middle of January we shred pow. Much more snow coming in the end of February, all the way until mid April."

Reddit user, instructor in Gudauri, August 2026

In spring 2026 Gudauri stayed open the longest, until 19 April. Tetnuldi closed on 9 April, and Bakuriani, Goderdzi and Hatsvali on 29 March. The end date of the 2026/27 season has not been announced.

What changes in Gudauri this winter

For the new season two pistes are being built in Gudauri, Kobi 3 and Tatra 3, 6 kilometres in total. With them, according to Mountain Trails Agency, the resort's pistes will reach 86 kilometres. Floodlights for evening skiing are being installed on the slopes of New Gudauri. Last season evening skiing in Gudauri ran on Fridays and Saturdays from 20:00 to 22:00, and a day pass was not valid for it.

The Khada and Snowpark chairlifts are being dismantled. In their place the Austrian company Doppelmayr is installing two surface lifts and a 200-metre covered moving carpet. The government approved this work in July 2026.

A chairlift in Gudauri. Photo: rugbyxm, Wikimedia Commons

Another 7.5 kilometres of pistes, including Soliko and Kikilo, will get artificial snowmaking. It is being installed by the Polish company Supersnow under a €5.2 million contract. Under the terms of the contract, the equipment must be installed by 1 December and started by 15 December 2026.

How much skiing costs

Ski pass prices for the 2026/27 season have not been announced yet. Last season online sales opened on 23 December and the ticket offices at the resorts on 27 December. The table shows 2025/26 prices from the Mountain Trails Agency price lists.

The Goderdzi prices come from the resort's website, goderdzi.ski; a blogger who skied there in February 2026 gave the same day-pass price. A season pass for all resorts cost 650 GEL, and a 10-day pass 460 GEL. Children under six ski free. The pass is loaded onto a plastic card, a QR code on a phone does not work at the turnstile, and money for unused days is not refunded.

Equipment rental comes on top of the pass. Ilya, the author of the YouTube channel «Привет, Илья!», worked out the cost of a day of skiing in Gudauri in February 2026:

«Я бы сказал, если учитывать 70 лари скипас, плюс примерно 100–110 на аренду оборудования, если у вас ничего нет, получается примерно 170 лари полный набор, чтобы кататься».

"I'd say, counting 70 lari for the ski pass plus roughly 100–110 for equipment rental if you have nothing of your own, it comes to about 170 lari for the full set to ski."

Ilya, YouTube channel «Привет, Илья!», February 2026

Gudauri: the road from Tbilisi, traffic jams and parking

Gudauri lies on the Georgian Military Road, 120 kilometres from Tbilisi. The drive takes two to two and a half hours. According to the Georgian National Tourism Administration's description, the hardest part is the serpentine before the resort, especially in heavy snow. It starts at the village of Mleta at kilometre 80 and climbs to Gudauri at kilometre 93.

Further down the road, between Zhinvali and Pasanauri, from kilometre 37 to 56, the Roads Department is fully rebuilding the road and 10 bridges. The work costs 66.8 million GEL. In July 2026 the Minister of Infrastructure, Revaz Sokhadze, called the pace of work unsatisfactory and warned the contractor that the contract could be terminated. On 17 October trucks with trailers were banned from the temporary crossing at kilometre 51; cars can pass.

Together with the Kvesheti – Kobi road, a new 5-kilometre access road to Gudauri is being built. In July 2026 it was still under construction, and the department has not announced an opening, so this winter the only road to the resort is the old serpentine.

The resort lies before the Gudauri – Kobi section, where the road is most often closed because of avalanches, so Gudauri can usually be reached even on days when the pass is closed. How many times and for how long this section was closed last winter is covered in the article on winter passes.

During the holidays there are traffic jams on the way to the resort. Olga Khuskivadze, in a video about a trip to Gudauri in January 2026, said her family spent half a day unable to reach their hotel:

«Мы потеряли два дня на катании, потому что сегодня день тоже пропал из-за того, что мы не могли добраться до нашей гостиницы, потому что туда была большая пробка, полиция туда не пускала».

"We lost two days of skiing, because today was lost too: we couldn't get to our hotel, there was a big traffic jam and the police weren't letting anyone through."

Olga Khuskivadze, YouTube, January 2026

In the same video she advises where to leave the car in New Gudauri:

«Одна из причин этих пробок, что дороги хорошо не чистят, от чего сложно разъезжаться, нам даже успели поцарапать машину. И также очень сложно найти свободное место парковки. Идеальный вариант поставить машину на подземный паркинг и оставить её там на нужное количество дней».

"One of the reasons for these jams is that the roads aren't cleared well, so it's hard for cars to pass each other; our car even got scratched. It's also very hard to find a free parking space. The ideal option is to put the car in an underground car park and leave it there for as many days as you need."

Olga Khuskivadze, YouTube, January 2026

Free open-air car parks, according to Mountain Trails Agency, are at the Pirveli and Shino lifts, at the Truso lift on the Kobi side and at several hotels. Together they hold about 830 cars. Paid covered parking with 400 spaces is available in the Redco residential complexes.

Bakuriani: the road through Borjomi

Bakuriani lies at about 1,700 metres, 180 kilometres from Tbilisi. It has 33 kilometres of pistes and 12 lifts. Skiing is in two areas: on Mount Kokhta and in Didveli. According to the Georgian National Tourism Administration's figures, the drive from Tbilisi takes about two and a half hours, the same from Kutaisi, and almost five hours from Batumi. The road goes through Khashuri and Borjomi; from Borjomi to Bakuriani it is a 30-kilometre climb.

A narrow-gauge train known as the "Kukushka" also used to run from Borjomi to Bakuriani. It has not run since 2020. On 9 October 2026 the Minister of Economy, Mariam Kvrivishvili, said that after repairs it will run again in December. There is no exact date or timetable yet.

Bakuriani and the Kokhta chairlift, February 2019. Photo: ZeevoX, Wikimedia Commons

Bakuriani has fewer pistes than Gudauri, but the town itself is bigger and surrounded by forest. A Reddit user compared the two resorts like this:

"Gudauri: Significantly better if you are an experienced skier. Bakuriani: Slight edge for beginners. It's a larger settlement with more trees (Gudauri is more exposed/alpine) and a cozy vibe."

Reddit user, December 2025

Last season evening skiing in Bakuriani ran every day from 17:00 to 21:30.

Goderdzi: the road from Batumi

Goderdzi is the smallest of the four resorts: 8 kilometres of pistes at about 2,000 metres. The resort is at kilometre 103 of the Batumi – Akhaltsikhe road. According to the Georgian National Tourism Administration's figures, the drive from Batumi takes about three hours in summer and up to four in winter.

During snowfall the last kilometres before the resort are open only to four-wheel-drive vehicles. On 13 December 2025 the Roads Department allowed only vehicles with two driven axles on the section from kilometre 90 to 103. On 21 January 2026 snow and blizzards closed the road to all traffic from kilometre 86, that is, before the resort. In the evening of the same day it reopened, but from kilometre 50 to 102 only four-wheel-drive vehicles were again allowed through.

Ivan Novik, a YouTube channel author, drove to Goderdzi in a rented Subaru in February 2026:

«Самый главный мой запрос был, чтобы это был полноприводный автомобиль, да, и, ну там, возможно, если я там застряну, чтобы была зимняя резина. <…> Местами дорога была, ну, не очень хорошая, ну, хотя, я так бы сказал бы, может быть, процентов 10 из всей дороги была не очень, всё остальное время нормально. <…> Именно в Годердзи не всегда почищено, и местами можно подзастрять».

"My main request was that it be a four-wheel-drive car, and, well, in case I got stuck, that it have winter tyres. […] In places the road was, well, not very good, though I'd say maybe 10 percent of the whole road was bad, the rest of the time it was fine. […] Right at Goderdzi it isn't always cleared, and in places you can get stuck."

Ivan Novik, YouTube, February 2026

A Reddit user described in December 2024 how a rental car failed to reach the resort:

"I rented a car and it failed to reach the destination about 8km short because a) it suddenly was 2wd lol and b) tires were crap. We ended up parking it on the side of the road and there was a proper 4wd passing by with a taxi sign."

Reddit user, December 2024

Mestia: Hatsvali and Tetnuldi

Mestia is the main town of Upper Svaneti, 460 kilometres from Tbilisi. It has two ski areas: Hatsvali above the town and Tetnuldi, where the lifts go above 3,100 metres. From Tbilisi you first drive to Zugdidi, and from there it is about 140 kilometres of mountain road to Mestia. The second road, through Lentekhi and the Zagari Pass, is closed for the winter: in 2025 the Mele – Lasdili section was closed on 1 December.

Olga Saliy spent the winter of 2022/23 in Mestia. She believes the road is the main reason the Svaneti resorts are less popular:

«Как добраться до Местии — пожалуй, вот это и есть причина недостаточной популярности курортов Сванетии. Добраться сюда не так просто, как Гудаури».

"How to get to Mestia — that is probably the very reason the Svaneti resorts aren't popular enough. Getting here isn't as easy as getting to Gudauri."

Olga Saliy, YouTube channel «Дзен и Мотоциклы», March 2023

That season there was no snow for a long time, and the lifts started only on 8 February:

«Снег здесь выпадает к Новому году, не раньше. А мне особенно повезло: я приехала 10 декабря и ждала открытие сезона аж до 8 февраля. Это был самый малоснежный год за последние лет двадцать».

"Snow falls here by New Year, not earlier. And I was especially lucky: I arrived on 10 December and waited for the season to open until 8 February. It was the least snowy year in about twenty years."

Olga Saliy, YouTube channel «Дзен и Мотоциклы», March 2023

Mestia in January 2014. Photo: 自由馴鹿 (ZiYouXunLu), Wikimedia Commons

Tetnuldi is a separate drive from Mestia, about an hour each way. A Reddit user who has skied both in Gudauri and in Svaneti describes it like this:

"Tetnuldi is about an hour away, so expect ~2 hours commuting daily. Hatsvali is much closer but less exciting. The upside? Almost no one on the slopes, feels like your own private mountain."

Reddit user, October 2025

What car you need and what the law requires

From 1 December to 1 March, winter tyres on all wheels are mandatory on the Georgian mountain roads listed in Government Resolution No. 526. The annex to the resolution includes roads to all four resorts:

• Mleta – Kobi, from kilometre 80 to 106, which is the climb to Gudauri;
• the whole Borjomi – Bakuriani – Akhalkalaki road, the Bakuriani ring road and the access road to Didveli;
• Batumi – Akhaltsikhe, from kilometre 22 to 159, including the road to Goderdzi;
• Zugdidi – Mestia – Lasdili, from kilometre 30 to 193.

In heavy snow or ice the Ministry of Internal Affairs can also require chains on all wheels of at least one driven axle. The chains must be factory-made and match the tyre size. If the tyres or chains do not meet the requirements, a police officer can refuse to let the car onto the section. This happened on 3 February 2023: the patrol police warned that from the township of Tsaghveri they were checking the tyres of cars heading to Bakuriani and not letting cars on summer tyres go further. Which tyres count as winter tyres and what the fines are is covered in the article on winter tyres.

The law does not require four-wheel drive. But during snowfall the Roads Department often opens mountain sections only to vehicles with two driven axles, as it did near Goderdzi last winter.

Car, taxi or transfer

People get to Gudauri from Tbilisi by their own or a rented car, by taxi or by transfer. A car lets you stay in Tbilisi and drive up for a day of skiing. Ilya, the author of the YouTube channel «Привет, Илья!», described doing this from Tbilisi in February 2026:

«Мы как-то брали машину в аренду и просто приезжали с утра, катались весь день и вечером уезжали. Тогда нет расходов на жильё, просто живёте в Тбилиси, кайфуете и там пару раз можно выехать покататься. Стоимость примерно аренды машины — мы брали Volkswagen Touareg, 150 лари в день, плюс на бензин туда-обратно ещё уходит 70–80 лари. По дороге время в пути, наверное, 2,5–3 часа, всё зависит от загруженности, от вашего стиля вождения. Но усталость, конечно, намного больше».

"Once we rented a car and just came up in the morning, skied all day and left in the evening. Then you have no accommodation costs: you just live in Tbilisi, enjoy it, and can drive out to ski a couple of times. The rental cost roughly — we took a Volkswagen Touareg, 150 lari a day, plus another 70–80 lari for fuel there and back. The drive takes maybe 2.5–3 hours, depending on traffic and your driving style. But you get much more tired, of course."

Ilya, YouTube channel «Привет, Илья!», February 2026

For those staying in Gudauri without a car, Ilya advises choosing accommodation in New Gudauri:

«От него на склоны ведёт всего лишь один подъёмник, поэтому, если вы снимаете жильё, у вас нет машины, я бы рекомендовал точно оставаться в Новом Гудаури, именно в верхней части, откуда идут два основных подъёмника».

"Only one lift goes from there to the slopes, so if you're renting a place and don't have a car, I'd definitely recommend staying in New Gudauri, in the upper part, where the two main lifts start."

Ilya, YouTube channel «Привет, Илья!», February 2026

A taxi from Tbilisi to Gudauri, according to a Reddit user who made the trip three times in January and February 2026, costs 200–250 GEL one way:

"3 times use bolt Tbilisi - gudauri and back Jan-fab 26. All good, if price difference is like 20 lari opt for premium car option, usually is much less random car quality and drivers also better(not smoking in the car, no driver coffee stops etc). Price was 200-250 lari one way."

Reddit user, March 2026

If you are only going to ski, you do not always need a car. A Reddit user came to this conclusion after a trip in December 2025:

"On the car, we kind of concluded if you're just going to Tblisi and Gudauri for skiing a car isn't worth the hassle. There are tons of taxis and other transports."

Reddit user, December 2025

The author of the review under which that comment was left picked up a car at Tbilisi airport. In their experience, a car makes it easy to get from Gudauri to Kazbegi:

"It's about 3hrs and having a car gives you more easy access to nearby hiking I mentioned (eg in Kazbegi area which is 45min away was a highlight). Just make sure your ABnB has parking."

Reddit user, December 2025

Frequently asked questions

When does the ski season open in Georgia in 2026? On 20 December 2026 at all resorts: Gudauri, Bakuriani, Goderdzi and Mestia. Last year only some of the lifts started on that date; the rest opened a week later, once snow had fallen.

How much is a ski pass in Gudauri? Prices for the 2026/27 season have not been announced yet. In the 2025/26 season one day of skiing cost 70 GEL for an adult and 35 GEL for a child aged 6–12; children under six skied free.

How long is the drive from Tbilisi to Gudauri? About 120 kilometres, two to two and a half hours without traffic. During holidays and after snowfall the drive can take much longer.

Do I need winter tyres to drive to Gudauri or Bakuriani? Yes. From 1 December to 1 March winter tyres are mandatory on the roads to all four resorts, and in heavy snow the police can also require chains.

Do I need four-wheel drive to get to Goderdzi? Almost certainly. During snowfall the last kilometres before the resort are open only to vehicles with two driven axles.

Where can I park in Gudauri? There are free car parks at the Pirveli, Shino and Truso lifts and at several hotels, for about 830 cars in total. There is also paid covered parking in the Redco residential complexes.

Does the Kukushka train run from Borjomi to Bakuriani? It has not run since 2020. In October 2026 the Minister of Economy promised that after repairs the train will run again in December, but there is no timetable yet.

Can I rent a car with delivery to Gudauri through AutoHub? Yes. The car is delivered to your hotel or chalet in Gudauri, on winter tyres in winter. Delivery to Gudauri costs 150 US dollars.

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The Tbilisi fleet includes four-wheel-drive cars for winter trips to the mountains: the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, the Lexus GX 460, the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 and the Land Rover Defender. Cars are delivered anywhere in Tbilisi in about half an hour, and to Gudauri and Kazbegi on winter tyres; the terms are on the delivery page. If you would rather not drive the serpentine yourself, you can book a car with a driver.

The concierge answers on WhatsApp and Telegram at +995 557 437 034 and by email at hello@autohub.rent. Name the model and the dates; documents and the deposit are checked before delivery.

Cover photo: mountains above the Gudauri resort. Alexey Okhrimenko, Wikimedia Commons