The Gudauri ski season 2026/27 is the reason many of our winter customers rent a 4x4. This post collects what you need to plan it by car: when the lifts usually open, what a pass costs, how the road behaves, and which car to take from Tbilisi. For prices and booking, the Gudauri and Kazbegi car rental page is the place; this is the season guide.
Updated 9 October 2026. Prices and rules checked against our booking system on that date.
Gudauri ski season 2026/27: dates and what to expect
Gudauri sits at 1,990 m on the Georgian Military Highway, 120 km from Tbilisi, and its lifts climb to 3,279 m on Mount Sadzele. The season usually runs from around 20 December to early April, with the best snow in January and February. The resort publishes the exact 2026/27 opening date and the new pass prices in November on the Mountain Resorts of Georgia site; until then, plan on a late-December start. About 13 to 15 modern lifts serve roughly 35 km of marked pistes and a large freeride area, which is why Gudauri is known for off-piste and heliskiing.
What a lift pass costs
In the 2025/26 season an adult day pass cost about 70 GEL (roughly $25), a six-day pass 340 GEL, with reduced prices for children. Bakuriani, the family resort, was about 55 GEL a day. These are last season's figures; expect a small increase for 2026/27 and check the resort site before you buy. Compared with the Alps it is a fraction of the price, which is the main reason people fly in from Israel, the Gulf and Europe.
Getting there by car
From Tbilisi or Tbilisi Airport, the drive is about two hours in good conditions and up to three after fresh snow. The road is paved and cleared daily. Above Pasanauri the climb starts, with hairpins and avalanche galleries up to the resort. Our post on the Tbilisi Airport to Gudauri drive goes stage by stage; the short version is: leave the airport by 3 pm in winter, fill up in Tbilisi or Pasanauri, and check the pass status on roads.ge before you leave.
| Question | Answer for the Gudauri ski season 2026/27 |
|---|---|
| Do I need a 4x4? | December to March, yes: on storm days the police allow only 4x4s or cars with chains. In summer any car works. |
| Winter tyres? | Fitted on our mountain cars in season. Say "Gudauri" when you book. |
| Snow chains? | $5 a day, booked with the car. Not for sale at the police post. |
| Parking at the lifts? | Free. Hotels have car parks. Face downhill and lift the wipers overnight. |
| Fuel in Gudauri? | One station; fill up before the climb. |
| Delivery to Gudauri? | No. Every ski rental starts in Tbilisi or at Tbilisi Airport. |
Which car for the Gudauri ski season 2026/27
A crossover with winter tyres handles the road on most days. A real 4x4 with low range handles it on every day. For a family with skis and two bags, the Toyota Highlander or the Land Cruiser Prado give the space; for a couple, the Subaru Forester or Renault Duster are the budget 4x4s. The 4x4 and SUV rental page lists every model, and rentals of 5 days or more get 5% off from 5 days and 10% off from 10 days on all cars except the Toyota Prius (flat $35), and 15% off from 5 days and 25% off from 10 days on the Mazda CX-3 and Jeep Renegade, applied automatically in the booking form for pickups until 15 December 2026.
Beyond the pistes
A car turns a ski week into a Caucasus week. Stepantsminda and the Gergeti Trinity church are 40 km on over the Jvari pass, when it is open. Ananuri fortress and the Zhinvali reservoir are on the way up. Kakheti wine villages are two hours from the resort for a day off the snow. Our winter driving guide covers Bakuriani and Goderdzi too, if you want to compare resorts.
Planning a ski week and not sure which car? Tell us your dates, how many skis and bags, and whether you want Kazbegi as well. Message us on WhatsApp (+995 591 89 60 60) and we will plan a custom route with you: the right car for the roads, pickup and drop-off in different cities, and honest advice on driving times.
Questions about the Gudauri ski season 2026/27
When does Gudauri open in 2026?
Usually around 20 December, depending on snow. The resort confirms the date in November. Early January is the safest bet for full lift operation.
Is the road to Gudauri closed in winter?
Rarely for long. Closures happen for a few hours after heavy snow while the ploughs work. The Jvari pass beyond the resort closes more often than the road to Gudauri itself.
Can I rent in Tbilisi and return at Kutaisi Airport after skiing?
Yes. One-way returns to Kutaisi Airport cost $120 and to Batumi $160; the locations and fees page has every point.
Is Gudauri good for beginners?
Yes. The lower slopes are wide and gentle, there are ski schools teaching in English, and the lift queues are short on weekdays.
In short, the Gudauri ski season 2026/27 starts in late December, costs a fraction of the Alps, and is two hours from the airport in the right car.