Gudauri Ski Resort Day Trip: Skiing & Fortress Tour

Ski the Caucasus slopes or ride the cable car, with the drive and logistics handled

A full-day private tour from Tbilisi to Gudauri Ski Resort on the slopes of the Greater Caucasus, with hotel pickup, an English-speaking driver-guide, and stops at Zhinvali Reservoir and the 16th-century Ananuri Fortress. You choose how to spend your time at the resort: skiing, snowboarding, a cable car ride for panoramic views, or simply relaxing in a mountain café. The tour runs 7 to 8 hours and includes private transportation and fuel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Gudauri Ski Resort and Mountain Views

• Stop at Zhinvali Reservoir for photos
• Visit Ananuri Fortress and enjoy views
• Arrive at Gudauri Ski Resort
• Ski, snowboard, or relax at Gudauri

The experience

The drive north from Tbilisi follows the Georgian Military Highway, a route that climbs steadily into the Caucasus. Your first stop is Zhinvali Reservoir, where snow-covered peaks frame a deep-blue lake in winter. The contrast makes for strong photographs and a moment to step out of the car. From there, the road leads to Ananuri Fortress, a 16th-century stone complex overlooking the Aragvi River valley. The fortress sits on a ridge with views across frozen winter terrain, and you have time to walk the grounds and take in the scale of the place before heading higher into the mountains.

Gudauri itself sits high enough that snow is reliable through the season. Once you arrive, the day is yours to shape. Skiers and snowboarders can head to the slopes. If you're not interested in the runs, a cable car ride takes you up for views across the snow-covered peaks without the commitment of a full day on skis. The resort has small cafés where you can warm up and watch the mountain, and the pace is relaxed. There's no schedule pushing you through a list of stops. Your driver-guide speaks English and stays with the group, so questions about the route, the sites or the mountain itself get answered as you go.

The tour is private, meaning only your group participates, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included. You'll need to arrange ski or snowboard rental and lift tickets separately if you plan to use them. The tour covers the transport and the guide, not the resort activities themselves. The return to Tbilisi follows the same highway, arriving back in the city by late afternoon or early evening depending on traffic and how much time you spend at the resort.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Tbilisi to Gudauri and back.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• English-speaking driver-guide for the full day.
• fuel surcharge.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (under 11): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by BB Georgia Travel

Is this one for you?The drive is long and the day at the resort is unscheduled, which suits travelers who want mountain time without a packed itinerary. You set the pace at Gudauri, whether that means skiing all afternoon or spending a few hours at a café with views. If you prefer a guided walk through multiple sites or a structured activity schedule, a different tour may fit better.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 11): free.

What is there to do at Gudauri if I don't ski or snowboard?

Gudauri Ski Resort has a cable car that takes visitors up the mountain for panoramic views of the snow-covered Caucasus peaks, and several mountain cafés where you can relax and watch the slopes. Many travelers spend their time at the resort taking photographs, walking around the base area, or simply enjoying the mountain scenery without skiing.

How long is the drive from Tbilisi to Gudauri?

The drive north along the Georgian Military Highway takes roughly 2 to 2.5 hours each way, depending on road conditions and traffic. The full tour runs 7 to 8 hours total, which includes the drive, stops at Zhinvali Reservoir and Ananuri Fortress, and time at the resort.

What happens at Ananuri Fortress during the stop?

Ananuri Fortress is a 16th-century stone complex perched on a ridge overlooking the Aragvi River valley. You have time to walk the grounds, explore the ancient towers, and photograph the fortress and the frozen winter landscape around it before continuing to Gudauri.

Do I need to book ski rentals or lift tickets in advance?

Ski and snowboard rentals and lift tickets are not included in the tour price and are not arranged by the operator. You can rent equipment and purchase lift tickets at Gudauri Ski Resort when you arrive, or arrange them in advance directly with the resort if you prefer.

What is Zhinvali Reservoir like in winter?

Zhinvali Reservoir is surrounded by snow-covered mountains, and in winter the contrast between the deep-blue water and white peaks creates a striking landscape. The stop is brief and designed for photographs and a moment to step out of the car before continuing toward the fortress and the ski resort.