OMM Newsroom
Georgia’s largest ski resort, Gudauri, is preparing for the next winter season. New cable cars, additional ski runs and snowmaking systems are expected to make the resort more attractive.
AnewZ reports that alongside mountain infrastructure, concerns over traffic congestion, waste collection, emergency medical care and rescue services raise questions about how ready Gudauri is to accommodate more visitors.
Located in the Greater Caucasus Mountains, about 120 kilometers from Tbilisi, Gudauri is Georgia’s main international ski destination. The resort is situated at an altitude of about 2,200 meters, while its ski areas extend up to 3,276 meters. It has about 86 kilometers of ski runs, 21 cable cars and 36 routes, attracting both beginners and experienced skiers.
According to Georgia’s National Tourism Administration, international visitors made about 325,900 trips to Gudauri’s ski resort in 2024. Domestic visitors made 201,700 trips.
The government has allocated 31 million lari ($12 million) to upgrade infrastructure for the 2026–2027 season. Plans include two new cable cars, additional ski runs, a covered moving walkway for beginners and snowmaking systems. Night skiing is also expected to become possible after improvements to slope lighting. The Mountain Trails Agency says the work is scheduled for completion in December.
Local tourism representatives say expanding ski infrastructure addresses only part of the resort’s needs.
Traffic and transport problems remain
One of the main challenges is traffic in the resort and on roads leading to it. A trip from Tbilisi that normally takes about two hours can stretch to four or five hours during congestion and roadworks.
Tourism representatives have also raised concerns about traffic jams and a shortage of parking in Gudauri. The situation can become especially difficult during the New Year holiday, when visitor numbers increase. Hotelier Maia Murachashvili described cases in which tourists had to leave their cars as far as two kilometers from their accommodation and carry their luggage through the snow.
The Kvesheti-Kobi road project is expected to improve access to the region and winter travel. The 23-kilometer highway, which includes a nine-kilometer tunnel, is designed to bypass the avalanche-prone Jvari Pass. Despite reaching important construction milestones, the road has not yet been fully opened to traffic.
Tourism representatives say a proposed cable car linking the village of Seturebi with Gudauri has also been suspended. They say public transport connections between nearby settlements and the resort are limited.
Questions over waste collection and rescue services
The transfer of responsibility for waste collection to Dusheti Municipality has prompted local business owners to question whether the service can operate effectively during the busiest months. Gega Salukvadze, founder of the Protect Mountain Resorts organization, told local media that traffic congestion last winter made it difficult for waste collection vehicles to reach some parts of the resort.
Local tourism representatives have also questioned whether Gudauri’s emergency medical facilities have enough equipment to handle serious skiing injuries. Concerns have also been raised about the availability of specialized mountain rescue teams and equipment.
Gudauri’s high-altitude location, mountain scenery and proximity to Tbilisi make it attractive to international travelers. But increasing the length of ski runs alone is not enough to compete with established winter resorts.
As Georgia seeks to strengthen its position in the international winter tourism market, Gudauri faces the task of balancing investment aimed at attracting visitors with investment in the infrastructure and services they need.
New cable cars could make the resort more attractive this winter. Whether roads, public services and emergency response systems are ready to handle the additional demand remains a separate question.
