Gudauri ski season 2026–27: opening date and the travel insurance skiers need

Short answer: Gudauri's 2026–27 ski season is planned to open on 20 December 2026, with lifts opening as snow allows. Every foreign skier entering Georgia needs health and accident insurance with at least GEL 30,000 of cover for the whole stay — and because standard travel policies often exclude skiing, check that yours pays for an injury on the slope before you go.

Gudauri is Georgia's biggest ski resort: about 120 km north of Tbilisi on the Georgian Military Road, with the village at around 2,200 m and lifts climbing above 3,000 m. It draws skiers from Armenia, Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Israel, Europe and the Gulf — and since 2026 every one of them has to show travel insurance when entering Georgia.

When does the 2026–27 season open?

The resort is planned to open on 20 December 2026. As every year, individual lifts start when there is enough snow, so the first days may run on a few lifts only. Last season Gudauri ran from 27 December 2025 to 19 April 2026. Check the operator, Mountain Resorts Development Company (mta.ski), for the confirmed date before booking non-refundable trips.

New this winter: two new runs, Kobi 3 and Tatra 3, add about 6 km of piste, the Snow Park area gets new lifts and a covered moving carpet, and snowmaking is being extended.

Travel insurance is required to enter Georgia

Since 1 January 2026, under Government Resolution No. 602, every tourist entering Georgia must hold health and accident insurance:

• with an insured sum of at least GEL 30,000 (or the equivalent in another currency);
• valid for every day you are in Georgia, from the day you enter;
• in English or Georgian;
• from a Georgian or a foreign insurer, on paper or as a PDF.

It applies to every nationality, children included. Border officers at Tbilisi airport and at land crossings such as Upper Lars and Sadakhlo may ask to see the policy, and airlines may check it at boarding. Full details: Georgia travel insurance requirements in 2026.

Does travel insurance cover skiing?

This is the question most skiers forget. Many standard travel policies treat skiing and snowboarding as a "dangerous" or "winter" sport and exclude it, or cover it only with an add-on. A policy can meet Georgia's GEL 30,000 entry rule and still refuse to pay for a knee injury on the slope.

Before you travel, read your policy and check:

• Winter sports: is on-piste skiing and snowboarding covered, or listed as an exclusion?
• Off-piste and freeride: Gudauri is famous for freeride and heli-skiing; most policies exclude off-piste unless you ride with a certified guide, and some exclude it entirely.
• Rescue and evacuation: does the policy pay for slope rescue and transport to a hospital in Tbilisi?
• Alcohol: claims are usually refused if the injured person had been drinking.
• Limits: a broken leg with surgery can cost more than the cheapest limits allow.

If you are unsure whether your policy covers skiing, ask us on WhatsApp or Telegram before you buy — we will tell you what the Unison policy wording says about winter sports, so there are no surprises after a fall.

Getting to Gudauri

• From Tbilisi: about 2 hours by car, minibus or taxi along the Georgian Military Road (E117) through Ananuri and Pasanauri.
• In snow: police may let only cars with winter tyres or snow chains up the mountain. The Jvari Pass above Gudauri can close in heavy snowfall.
• From Russia: the Upper Lars crossing is about 40 km north of Gudauri and closes in bad weather — keep a spare day in your plans.
• Driving your own foreign car? It needs Georgian compulsory car insurance (TPL/APPA) for every day in Georgia; a Green Card or a policy from home is not accepted. Winter in Georgia by car covers the full checklist.

Ski passes and prices

The 2026–27 prices are not published yet. Last season (2025–26) an adult day pass in Gudauri cost 70 GEL and a child's 35 GEL, with cheaper multi-day passes and a season pass valid at all four state resorts — Gudauri, Bakuriani, Goderdzi and Hatsvali (Mestia). Equipment rental is available in the resort.

Your Gudauri checklist

1. Passport, plus a travel insurance PDF that opens without mobile data.
2. Policy with at least GEL 30,000, in English, covering every day of your stay.
3. Confirmation that the policy covers skiing or snowboarding (and off-piste, if you plan it).
4. Georgian car insurance, winter tyres or chains — if you drive.
5. A Georgian eSIM for maps, lift updates and calls in the mountains.

Buy travel insurance for your ski trip online

Georgian APPA arranges a Unison Insurance travel medical policy in English for your exact dates — from 3 to 180 days, the whole family in one order. The certificate states the GEL 30,000 insured sum and arrives by email within minutes, so you can buy it the evening before you fly. Support answers 24/7 on WhatsApp and Telegram.

Buy travel insurance for Georgia · Get a Georgia eSIM

Gudauri ski season and travel insurance: FAQ

When does the Gudauri ski season 2026–27 open?

The Gudauri ski season 2026–27 is planned to open on 20 December 2026. Lifts start as snow allows, so the first days may run on a few lifts only. The season usually lasts until April; last season ran from 27 December 2025 to 19 April 2026.

When is the best time to ski in Gudauri?

January to March is the best time to ski in Gudauri, with the most reliable snow and all lifts running. Late December and April depend on snowfall, so early- and late-season trips may find fewer runs open — but also quieter slopes.

Do I need travel insurance to ski in Gudauri?

Yes. Since 1 January 2026 every foreign tourist entering Georgia, children included, needs health and accident insurance of at least GEL 30,000 for the whole stay, in English or Georgian. Border officers and airlines can ask to see it, so carry the policy as a PDF on your phone.

Does travel insurance cover skiing in Georgia?

Not always. Many travel insurance policies exclude skiing and snowboarding or cover them only with a winter sports add-on. Meeting Georgia's GEL 30,000 entry rule does not mean a policy pays for a ski injury — check the exclusions for winter sports before you travel, or ask us on WhatsApp.

Is off-piste skiing and heli-skiing in Gudauri covered by insurance?

Usually not by a standard policy. Gudauri is known for freeride and heli-skiing, but most travel insurance excludes off-piste riding unless you are with a certified guide, and some exclude it completely. If you plan to ride off-piste, check that your policy names it.

Can I buy travel insurance for Georgia after I arrive?

Buy it before you travel. Georgia requires cover from the day you enter, and the policy can be checked at the border or at boarding. Through Georgian APPA the travel insurance certificate arrives by email within minutes, so you can buy it the evening before your flight.

How much is a Gudauri ski pass in 2026–27?

Gudauri ski pass prices for 2026–27 are not published yet; they usually appear in December. In 2025–26 an adult day pass cost 70 GEL and a child's day pass 35 GEL, with lower daily prices on multi-day passes.

How do I get from Tbilisi to Gudauri?

Gudauri is about 120 km from Tbilisi, roughly 2 hours by road on the Georgian Military Road. You can drive, take a taxi or transfer, or take a minibus towards Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) from Didube bus station.

Do I need snow chains to drive to Gudauri?

Often, yes. On snowy days police may only let cars with winter tyres or snow chains up the road to Gudauri, and the Jvari Pass above the resort can close in heavy snow. A foreign-registered car also needs Georgian compulsory car insurance for every day in Georgia.

Is Gudauri good for beginners?

Yes. Gudauri has easy runs, ski schools and equipment rental in the resort, so you can learn there without bringing your own gear. Beginners should book lessons for the first days and stay on marked pistes.

Gudauri or Bakuriani: which is better?

Gudauri is higher and bigger, about 2 hours from Tbilisi, and suits confident skiers and freeriders. Bakuriani, about 180 km west near Borjomi, has gentler slopes and suits families and beginners. Both need the same GEL 30,000 travel insurance for entry to Georgia.