Hobby trips

Around 35 km of pistes above the tree line, most of them blue and red, reached by gondolas and modern chairlifts. Lifts run roughly 10:00–17:00, with night skiing near the Pirveli lift on Fridays and Saturdays.

A gentle zone at the base with a free 300 m people mover, wide easy runs at Sadzele and about ten ski schools with English-speaking instructors and children’s lessons.

Tandem flights launch from the top of the Kudebi lift when the weather allows. Choose an established operator with certified pilots and insurance, and accept a cancellation when the wind picks up.

Gudauri’s speciality: helicopters reach big untracked slopes through the season. Go only with certified guides and full avalanche kit.

Snow-tubing and sledging areas near the village for children too young for skis.

A round stone-and-concrete balcony of 1983, lined with a tile mural of Georgian and Russian history, hanging over the Devil’s Valley. Fog often hides the view in winter.

The fortress and churches of the Aragvi dukes on the river, with carved stone façades. A natural stop on the drive up.

The highest point of the road at about 2,400 m, protected by avalanche galleries, with an orange mineral spring cascading near the road.