Bakuriani Ski Resort

ბაკურიანის სათხილამურო კურორტი

Georgia's oldest ski resort at 1,700 m – family-friendly slopes, pine forests, and 33 km of runs

About

Bakuriani is a ski village in the Borjomi municipality on the northern slope of the Trialeti Range, 180 km from Tbilisi and 30 km from Borjomi. Elevation – 1,700 m above sea level. The resort sits in a volcanic caldera surrounded by dense spruce forests. Total trail length – 33 km, elevation range from 1,641 to 2,702 m. Three main ski zones: Didveli, Kokhta, and Mitarbi.

The easiest way to get here is from Tbilisi: shared minibus (marshrutka) from Didube metro station – 15–20 GEL (~$6), 2.5–3 hours. Via Borjomi: taxi 20–25 GEL, 30–40 minutes. The narrow-gauge "Kukushka" railway is not operating for the 2025/2026 season. If driving a rental car, winter tyres are mandatory.

Season: mid-December to late March. Plan 3–5 days for skiing. Daily ski pass – 55 GEL (~$20). Full ski/board rental – 40–80 GEL/day. Guesthouse accommodation with meals – from 100–150 GEL/day (~$37–55).

Transport

Travel time

On foot from Bakuriani center 2-3 min.
From Borjomi by car16 min.
From Gori by car1 h 21 min.
From KUT airport (Kutaisi Airport (KUT)) by car2 h 26 min.
From TBS airport (Tbilisi Airport (TBS)) by car2 h 55 min.
From BUS airport (Batumi Airport (BUS) – Gateway to the Black Sea Coast) by car3 h 57 min.

On the map

Location

Open in Google Maps ↗

In detail

What's here

Bakuriani is divided into three zones not connected by lifts. Didveli is the most popular: a gondola and chairlifts reach up to 2,700 m. 11 runs totalling 14.9 km, from green beginner slopes to black diamond. Night skiing here too (illuminated runs, Friday–Sunday, 17:00–21:30), a kids' park, and an alpine toboggan – Georgia's longest sled ride. Snowmaking covers the main slopes. Restaurant and bar at the top station.

Kokhta is the resort's oldest zone, reaching 2,157 m. 7.3 km of trails, including steep sections with up to 52% gradient. The Doppelmayr lift was reopened in 2016 after 30 years of inactivity. From the summit – panoramic views of the Greater Caucasus Range. Kokhta connects via chairlift to Mitarbi (9.9 km of runs, intermediate to advanced). In the village at the base, the "25-metre" training slope (Joyland) has drag lifts for absolute beginners and children.

Off the slopes – ice skating in the central park (skate rental 5 GEL/30 min), horseback rides through snowy forest, snowmobiles, 4x4 tours to frozen volcanic Lake Tabatskuri (28 km away). In summer – hiking, mountain biking, and horse riding. Borjomi with its mineral springs is a 30-minute drive.

Highlights

Why visit

Trails – 33 km of slopes, 23 runs from green to black, 1,061 m elevation drop

Lifts – 12 lifts: gondola, chairlifts, drag lifts. Capacity serves up to 20,000 riders/day

Night skiing – illuminated runs at Didveli, Friday–Sunday 17:00–21:30

Climate – average winter temperature −7°C, up to 210 sunny days/year, minimal wind thanks to mountain shelter

World Championship – hosted the 2023 FIS Freestyle and Snowboard World Championships (30 medal events)

Snowmaking – artificial snow covers 70% of runs, ensuring consistent conditions even in low-snow periods

History

Past & present

The first ski base on Mount Kokhtagori opened in 1932 with a 1.3 km track. In 1935, Bakuriani was officially designated a ski resort and became a training base for Soviet athletes. During the Soviet era, it hosted competitions in bobsled, slalom, biathlon, and ski jumping. In the 1980s, the resort served as a training base for the USSR Olympic team.

After the Soviet collapse, infrastructure deteriorated. Major modernisation began in the 2010s: the third Didveli cable car line was completed in 2012, the Kokhta lift reopened in 2016 after 30 years of closure, and the Mitarbi zone launched. In 2023, Bakuriani hosted the FIS Freestyle and Snowboard World Championships – the first such event in Georgia (30 medal disciplines, February 19 – March 5). In 2025, the resort hosted the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival. Investment in the resort reached 300 million GEL by 2023.

For visitors

Visitor information

Tickets & prices

Ski pass (daily, all MTA zones):

Adults: 55 GEL (~$20 / €19)

Children under 6: free

Equipment rental (per day):

Skis + boots: 40–80 GEL (~$15–30)

Snowboard + boots: 40–80 GEL

Winter jacket/pants: check rental shops near Didveli and Kokhta base stations

Instructor:

Private lesson: 70–100 GEL/hour (~$25–37)

Group lessons: check ski schools on-site

Other:

Ice rink: skate rental 5 GEL/30 min, instructor 20 GEL

Didveli toboggan: check on-site

Ticket offices at lift base stations. Cash (GEL) and card accepted. Online purchase at mta.ski.

Rules & restrictions

Ski pass does not include insurance – arrange sports coverage separately. Helicopter evacuation is paid. Ski patrol and first aid teams operate on slopes. Helmet recommended; mandatory for children in ski schools. Didveli and Mitarbi zones may close in strong winds – check M.T.A. Bakuriani Facebook page each morning for status updates. Alcohol on slopes is prohibited.

On-site facilities

In the village:

Shops, pharmacies, cafés and restaurants (Georgian cuisine, average meal 25–40 GEL / $9–15)

Cinema in the centre

Joyland and Amirani amusement parks (playgrounds, ice rink)

At the lifts:

Restaurant and bar at Didveli top station

Rental shops at Didveli and Kokhta base stations

Parking: Free lots at lift bases. Fill up early on holidays and weekends.

Wi-Fi: 4G works in the village. Patchy on slopes. Get an eSIM in advance.

Accessibility: Lifts are not adapted for reduced mobility. Didveli gondola has enclosed cabins with level boarding.

Getting there

Transport & directions

From Tbilisi (180 km, 2.5–3 hours):

– Shared minibus (marshrutka) from Didube metro – 15–20 GEL (~$6), departs when full (roughly every 1–2 hrs, 8:00–15:00). Limited space for ski gear

– SUV transfer – from 300 GEL (~$110). Book ahead during holidays

– Car rental – winter tyres mandatory. Road via Borjomi is clear; expect ice after Borjomi

From Borjomi (30 km, 30–40 minutes):

– Taxi – 20–25 GEL (~$8–9)

– Narrow-gauge "Kukushka" railway – not operating in 2025/2026 season

From Kutaisi (205 km, ~3 hours):

– SUV transfer – from 300 GEL

– No direct minibuses

Between ski zones:

– Didveli, Kokhta, and Mitarbi are not connected by lifts

– Between base stations – taxi 5–10 GEL or 10–15 min walk

When to go

Best time to visit

Season: Mid-December to late March. Kokhta opens first (from December 20, 2025), Didveli and Mitarbi from December 27.

Best snow: January–February. Average depth at summit – 70 cm. December and March snow can be inconsistent.

Time of day: Mornings (before 11:00) – shortest queues. Weekends and holidays see queues from 11:00 to 15:00.

Avoid: New Year holidays (December 28 – January 8) – accommodation prices double, lift queues, parking congestion. March – warm days, wet snow after noon.

Questions & answersFAQ