Didveli

The Didveli gondola carries passengers from the base station (1,780 m) to the mid-station (2,100 m) in 8 minutes in enclosed 8-seat cabins. From here, the green-rated Didveli 1 run offers a long, gentle descent for beginners, while Didveli Nodo is steeper. Chairlifts from the mid-station continue higher – Didveli Deka and Panorama reach 2,500–2,700 m. At the top – panoramic views of the Trialeti Range and snow-covered spruce forests. A restaurant and bar operate at the upper station.

Snowmaking covers the main runs, ensuring skiing even when natural snow is scarce. Night skiing takes place on illuminated slopes: the gondola operates until 21:30 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Floodlights provide good visibility. Near the mid-station – Didveli Kids Park with training slopes and drag lifts for young children.

A separate attraction is the alpine coaster (toboggan): a rail sled ride down the mountainside, operating year-round. In summer, Didveli transforms into a hiking and mountain biking zone: the gondola takes cyclists and hikers up to trails with up to 920 m of vertical drop.

Trails – 14.9 km, 11 runs from green to black, 920 m vertical drop

Summit – 2,700 m, the highest lift access point in all of Bakuriani

Night skiing – illuminated slopes, Friday–Sunday 17:00–21:30

Snowmaking – artificial snow on main runs, 70% coverage

Alpine coaster – Georgia's longest rail toboggan, operates year-round

Gondola – 8-seat enclosed Doppelmayr cabins, 8-minute ride

Didveli developed as a modern alternative to the historic Kokhta zone. The first lifts were installed in the early 2000s. In 2012, the third cable car line was completed, extending the ski area to 2,700 m. Before the 2023 FIS World Championships, infrastructure was upgraded: the snowmaking system was modernised, additional lighting was installed for night skiing, and trails were improved.

Today, Didveli is Bakuriani's main ski zone and winter entertainment hub: it hosts the kids' park, toboggan, night skiing, and core tourist infrastructure. The zone hosts FIS World Cup events and serves as a training venue for professional athletes.

From central Bakuriani (3 km):

– Taxi – 5–10 GEL (~$2–4), 5 minutes

– On foot – 10–15 minutes along the road

From Tbilisi (180 km, 2.5–3 hours):

– Shared minibus from Didube metro – 15–20 GEL (~$6), then taxi to Didveli

– SUV transfer – from 300 GEL (~$110)

– Car rental – winter tyres mandatory, free parking

From Borjomi (30 km, 30–40 minutes):

– Taxi – 20–25 GEL (~$8–9)

To other zones:

– To Kokhta – taxi 5–10 GEL or 10-minute walk through the village

– No lifts connect the zones

Season: Late December to late March. Didveli opens from December 27 in the 2025/2026 season.

Best snow: January–February. Snowmaking compensates for lack of natural snow.

For night skiing: Friday–Sunday 17:00–21:30. Fewer crowds than daytime.

Avoid: Weekends 11:00–15:00 – gondola queues. New Year holidays – peak capacity.