TR: Gudauri Ski Resort, Georgia (January 2016)

[thin cover]

Mike your ski adventures to the less traveled spots are inspiring for sure.

Big Daddy- I am trying to swing CO or CA and couch space. Georgia is not in the cards, maybe in the future. But always stoked to ski with you bud if winter swings back around here

[LeeLau]

wow - what a treat this was

[Mike Pow]

Thanks thin cover and LeeLau.

[Mike Pow]

SATURDAY 30 JANUARY 2016

My final day skiing at Gudauri, and got the skins out and explored the terrain from the summit of Mt Sadzele and the Sadzele chair.

The trail map is quite confusing in that there are two Mt Sadzeles and two Mt Bidaras

Gudauri Ski Resort Trail Map





While I was waiting for the shuttle to take me from Hotel Alpina to the gondola, the piste basher pulled into the car park and two Georgians staying at the hotel hopped on for a lift to the lift. One of them called me over and I was on too

Took the Soliko chair to Kudebi chair to the Sadzele Chair and about 30 mins later I was standing on the first summit of Mt Sadzele (3279m).

I traversed and skinned round to the second summit of Mt Sadzele (3307m) which afforded me spectacular views of the ski area and the north facing terrain which dropped down to the highway.

As I was tavelling solo I skied the terrain that fed back into the resort.

Inside World





Then did laps into Kobi Pass finishing with the 1200 vertical metre run from the top back to Hotel Alpina.

Top of the Sadzele chairlift









View from Mt Sadzele (3307m)

















Kazbegi (5047m) from Mt Sadzele (3307m)





The Sadzele 'bowl' from Mt Kudebi






Lines off Mt Sadzele (3307m)





Avalanche debris off Mt Sadzele (3279m)





Lines from Kobi Pass





Mt Bidara (3011m) and Mt Bidara (3174m) from Kobi Pass





Looking at the lines from Kobi Pass past Mt Bidara (3011m) and down to the highway at Bidara





We had dinner at Hotel Alpina and left the resort at midnight for the 2 1/2 hr drive to Tbilisi Airport for our 5.35 am flight back to the UK.

[Mike Pow]

SUMMARY

We had a ball on our 10-day trip to Gudauri Ski Resort - 2 days travel, 8 days in resort - and can't recommend it highly enough.

It's not for everyone, but for those with a sense of adventure who aren't looking for hundreds of kms of piste skiing and a huge apres scene then it ticks just about all the boxes.

It's a high altitude resort with consistent snow cover and regular snowfall - ~ 10m per season. We had over 1m during our stay.

Wide variety of pisted terrain, which was deserted during our visit.

Unlimited off-piste terrain suitable for all ability levels.

Approx. 1200m vertical

Amazing scenery.

Wide variety of accommodation at all price points.

Plenty of restaurants and bars on mountain and for apres & dinner.

Great food.

Very welcoming people.

Unbelievabe value for money.


Our Costs

Bus from Cardiff to London Gatwick airport £72.00 (booking earlier in advance could halve this cost)
Flight £292.15 (booking earlier in advance, flights can be picked up for £230.00)
Return transfer aiport to Hotel Alpina £62.50
9-nights B&B Accommodation at Hotel Alpina £200.00
Lift Pass £76.12 for a 10-day pass which could be used at Bakuriana (could have got an 8-day Gudauri pass for £54.50)
Food & drink £250.00

Total £952.77 / 1230 euros / US$1370 / AUD$ 1936 for 10 days (8 days skiing)

To convert to your currency please use this link
http://www.xe.com/

[406]

Awesome TR and thanks for all the details. Looks like an very cool trip, another one to add to my list.

[Mike Pow]

Awesome TR and thanks for all the details. Looks like an very cool trip, another one to add to my list.

Thanks. My pleasure.

Four other resorts in Georgia. Would make a great 2-week road trip.

http://www.skigeorgia.ge/


Plus there's Tsakhkadzor in Armenia which isn't too far a drive.

http://www.winterarmenia.com/index.php


And Cheget and Elbrus, Russia are just round the corner from the Svaneti resorts. Although you do need a visa for Russia.





Amazing possibilities in the area.

[garyfromterrace]

Holy crap! Nice TR Mike, Georgia on the list now...

[Mike Pow]

Holy crap! Nice TR Mike, Georgia on the list now...

Cheers.

Yep, it's top notch.

[bigasshair]

Thanks. My pleasure.

Four other resorts in Georgia. Would make a great 2-week road trip.

http://www.skigeorgia.ge/


Plus there's Tsakhkadzor in Armenia which isn't too far a drive.

http://www.winterarmenia.com/index.php


And Cheget and Elbrus, Russia are just round the corner from the Svaneti resorts. Although you do need a visa for Russia.





Amazing possibilities in the area.

Hey Mike, you sure do get around. I've heard awesome things about Georgia(especially the BC) that your trip has confirmed.
Former Eastern Bloc chic may be the way to go in the future with the huge bang for the buck.
Where do I sign up?

[Mike Pow]

Hey Mike, you sure do get around. I've heard awesome things about Georgia(especially the BC) that your trip has confirmed.
Former Eastern Bloc chic may be the way to go in the future with the huge bang for the buck.
Where do I sign up?

Do my best

Skied Popova Shapka, Macedonia; Brezovica, Kosovo; Saving Kuk & Kolasin, Montenegro; and Gudauri, Georgia.

All excellent. All different. All amazing value for money.

[wyeaster]

gorgeous

[Mike Pow]

gorgeous

Many thanks.

[MiddleOfNight]

mmmm, looks delicious! Sweet TR!
I'm sold. Jump over the ridge on next years Russia lap.

Elbrus area is very similar - affordable, unlimited terrain options, low crowds, nice people.
As Mike said, Russian Visa req'd .. You may also need a 'Border Area Permit' from the FSB, depending on the off-piste lines you fancy (needed in advance), and registering with the Rescue Service is well advised if you're venturing up Elbrus or out to any of the committing lines.

Thanks for the TR!

[Mike Pow]

My pleasure.

Combo trip would be awesome.

[grskier]

all the picture links don't work for me..

Great TR though.

[Mike Pow]

all the picture links don't work for me..

Great TR though.

Thanks.

Fucking Facebook. They keep changing their links. Bastards

Try this please

https://www.facebook.com/mike.richar...6688623&type=3

[Lomax]

good stuff in here, thanks, needing beta for my trip there in late February. My cousin works at the embassy in Tbilisi, so I I figured I'd better get my cheesy ass over there before he goes somewhere else. definitely plan on splitting about.

[Mike Pow]

good stuff in here, thanks, needing beta for my trip there in late February. My cousin works at the embassy in Tbilisi, so I I figured I'd better get my cheesy ass over there before he goes somewhere else. definitely plan on splitting about.

My pleasure.

Great fun to be had in Georgia.

They've had a great start to the winter too

Wednesday 07 December 2016

[406]

Photos not showing up, looks like you have facebook hosting them and it is returning a "URL signature expired"?

edit: just noticed post above.

[mbf78c]

Georgia on the list now...