When is the ski season in Georgia?

The Georgian ski season generally runs from late December to early April, with the most reliable snow and the longest days in January, February and early March. High resorts like Gudauri hold snow longest; lower Bakuriani can be patchy at the very start and end of the season.

Which is the best ski resort in Georgia?

Gudauri is the best all-round resort for most visitors: the highest snow-sure terrain, modern lifts, wide open pistes and excellent off-piste, just 2 to 2.5 hours from Tbilisi. Bakuriani is gentler and better for families and beginners, Goderdzi gets deep snow for freeriders, and Mestia (Hatsvali/Tetnuldi) offers dramatic Svaneti scenery.

Is it safe to drive to the ski resorts in winter?

The Georgian Military Highway up to Gudauri is occasionally closed or restricted to vehicles with snow chains during heavy snow and avalanche-control work. It is much safer to travel with an experienced local driver in a winter-equipped car who knows the road and the closure rules, rather than a small rental car.

How cold is Georgia in winter?

Tbilisi is mild, usually around 0 to 8 degrees C by day and rarely with lasting snow. Batumi on the coast is cool and wet, around 5 to 11 degrees C. In the mountains it is properly cold: Gudauri and Bakuriani often sit between minus 10 and minus 2 degrees C, colder with wind chill, so pack accordingly.

What is there to do in Georgia in winter besides skiing?

Plenty: soak in the Tbilisi sulfur baths, explore the snowy old town and wine cellars of Kakheti, see Kazbegi under snow by 4x4, enjoy New Year and Orthodox Christmas (7 January) festivities, and take advantage of low-season prices in the cities. The coast and lowlands stay green and walkable.

Georgia in Winter 2026: Skiing, Snow Routes, What to Pack & How to Get Around

Winter is one of the best-value times to visit Georgia: the Caucasus turns into a genuine ski destination with prices far below the Alps, the cities empty out, and New Year and Orthodox Christmas fill the country with celebration. But winter here also means real mountain conditions — closed passes, snow chains and short days. This 2026 guide covers the ski season, the best resorts, which roads to respect, the weather city by city, what to pack, and how to reach the slopes safely.

Short answer (2026): Georgia's ski season runs late December to early April, best in Jan–Feb. Top resort overall is Gudauri (snow-sure, 2–2.5 h from Tbilisi); Bakuriani suits families, Goderdzi and Mestia for deep snow and scenery. The Military Highway to Gudauri can require snow chains or close briefly in storms, so travel with an experienced winter driver. Tbilisi stays mild (0–8 °C); the mountains are properly cold.

The Georgian ski season at a glance

Resort	Best for	Base / top altitude	From Tbilisi
Gudauri	All-round, off-piste	~2,000 / 3,300 m	~2–2.5 h
Bakuriani	Families, beginners	~1,700 / 2,700 m	~2.5–3 h
Goderdzi	Freeride, deep snow	~2,000 / 2,400 m	~5–6 h (via Batumi)
Mestia (Hatsvali/Tetnuldi)	Scenery, quiet slopes	~1,900 / 3,000 m	~8 h (or fly to Mestia)

For a deeper comparison of pistes, lift passes and snow records, see our Georgia ski resorts compared guide.

The best ski resorts in winter

Gudauri is the headline resort: high, snow-sure, with modern gondolas, wide intermediate pistes and some of the best lift-served off-piste and heliskiing in the region. It sits right on the Georgian Military Highway, so the drive itself is spectacular. Full details in our Gudauri ski resort guide.

Bakuriani is the gentle, family-friendly option in the forests south of Borjomi: nursery slopes, sledging, and a relaxed pace ideal for first-timers and children — see the Bakuriani ski resort guide. Goderdzi in Adjara is a powder magnet reached via Batumi, while Mestia in Svaneti combines small, quiet slopes with the most dramatic mountain scenery in Georgia.

Winter roads: where you need caution

The single most important winter fact is that the Jvari Pass on the Military Highway above Gudauri is regularly affected by heavy snow and avalanche-control closures. When that happens, police may stop traffic for a few hours or require snow chains. The road to Bakuriani is generally easier but still snowy, and the high road to Goderdzi can close entirely. This is the main reason we strongly recommend a winter-equipped car with an experienced local driver rather than a small rental: the driver carries chains, knows the closure patterns, and will not be caught out by a sudden white-out. Our dedicated Tbilisi to Gudauri & Kazbegi winter guide goes into the road conditions in detail.

Winter weather, city by city

Place	Typical day temp	Conditions
Tbilisi	0 to 8 °C	Mild, occasional light snow
Batumi	5 to 11 °C	Cool, wet, green
Kutaisi	2 to 9 °C	Damp, rarely deep snow
Gudauri / Bakuriani	−10 to −2 °C	Cold, snow-covered

Note how mild the lowlands stay: you can ski in the morning and walk Tbilisi's old town in a light coat the next day. For a month-by-month overview, see the best time to visit Georgia.

What to pack for a Georgian winter

Layers: a warm base layer, fleece or down mid-layer, and a windproof, waterproof outer shell for the mountains.
Footwear: waterproof boots with grip — city pavements get icy and resort villages are snow-packed.
Accessories: hat, gloves, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream (mountain sun is fierce on snow).
Ski gear: you can rent everything at the resorts, so there is no need to fly with skis.
Cash: small mountain cafes, 4x4 drivers and guesthouses often prefer cash.

Beyond the slopes

Winter is a wonderful time for the Tbilisi sulfur baths, for cosy wine cellars in Kakheti, and for seeing Kazbegi under snow by 4x4. New Year is the big Georgian holiday, and Orthodox Christmas falls on 7 January, with church services and the Alilo procession. City hotels are cheaper in low season, making winter excellent value outside the resorts.

How OrbiTrip works in winter

OrbiTrip is a free platform that connects you with local drivers who run the mountain routes all winter. You see a fixed price upfront and pay the driver directly — no commission, no prepayment. For snow roads this matters: you get a driver with the right vehicle and chains, not a guess.

See drivers & fixed prices for a winter transfer to Gudauri

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Planning a ski trip? Compare drivers and fixed prices to Gudauri and reach the snow safely, whatever the pass is doing.