Snow Much Fun: A Day Skiing in Gudauri, Georgia

It is a perfect day on the slopes. There is around a metre of snow, the sun is shining and the lifts are running. We get ourselves geared up and head out, ready for another fantastic day skiing in Gudauri.

But sometimes, even the best-laid plans have other ideas.

Today is ski day number three, and I am certainly ready for more. I have found my rhythm, my legs are warming up and I am looking forward to another day exploring the slopes. Better still, Harley has swapped his snowboard for skis. I feel as though I have my little skiing companion back, at least for now. The only question is how long he will stick with me before taking off on his own!

A Change of Plans on the Slopes

Our morning warm-up doesn’t quite go to plan.

After two days on the snowboard, Harley decided he wanted to switch back to skis. Now that he has made the change, however, he isn’t particularly happy with that either.

I suggest that perhaps he just needs a couple of runs to find his feet again. We take our time, warm up and give it a fair chance. Unfortunately, a few runs later, he is still not enjoying himself.

I could insist that we keep going, but that hardly seems likely to improve anyone’s day. Instead, I decide it is time to take things off piste.

Snowballs, Snow Angels and a Snowman

I ski away from the groomed run and into the fresh powder. Pausing, I bend down to scoop up some snow. Harley watches me suspiciously, clearly wondering what I am up to.

A sneaky snowball provides the answer.

It doesn’t take long for a full-scale snowball fight to develop. His mood changes almost instantly, replaced by a huge smile and a mischievous glint in his eyes. My sometimes-snow-angel has discovered the joys of snowball revenge!

I eventually surrender before I end up completely frozen or, worse, injured. Flopping backwards into a fresh patch of snow, I decide it is time for a little snow-angel action of my own. Soon, we have two rather impressive angel-shaped indentations in the powder.

Next comes a snowman. Ours is a slightly eccentric creation, complete with a top hat and one particularly muscular arm. He may not win any beauty competitions, but he serves his purpose.

Some snow angels, a snowball fight and one questionable snowman later, we are both having a wonderful time. Sometimes the best moments on a ski holiday have very little to do with skiing.

Dusting ourselves off, we clip our skis back on and return to the slopes. Spirits are restored, and I am hopeful that we can get back to the business of the day.

Back to Skiing Gudauri

Sadly, the renewed enthusiasm doesn’t last quite as long as I had hoped. By late morning, I concede defeat and we head back to the ski hire shop.

It is time to exchange the skis for a snowboard. Apparently, this is the lesser of two evils!

Eventually, we are back on track. We meet Jason and Jasper halfway down the mountain and take a welcome break at Xada Café, beside the Soliko lift. A hot chocolate is just what we need to warm up and recharge before the afternoon runs.

Gudauri is a wonderful setting for a family ski holiday. Sitting high in the Greater Caucasus, the resort offers sweeping mountain views and a network of lifts connecting a variety of slopes. The Soliko lift is one of the main chairlifts, serving a substantial section of the ski area.

With the sun shining and the snow in excellent condition, it is difficult to imagine a better setting for a winter holiday. The boys are happy, Jason is enjoying his time on the slopes, and I manage a few more runs before deciding I have had enough.

Après-Ski: Knowing When to Call It a Day

By the afternoon, I am done. My legs have had enough, and I decide to retreat to the apartment for some off-piste entertainment of my own: a good book and a glass of wine.

Jason is made of sterner stuff. He stays out a little longer, tackling the Soliko and Sportuli runs with his two young snowboarding protégés in tow.

Good to Know: Skiing in Gudauri with Children

Gudauri is a popular family ski destination in Georgia’s Greater Caucasus Mountains. Its lift network connects a range of slopes, making it suitable for different abilities and experience levels.

A few things I learnt from our time on the mountain:

• Be flexible: Children can change their minds about skis and snowboards surprisingly quickly. Allow time for adjustments rather than expecting every day to go to plan.
• Keep expectations realistic: Not every day needs to be about covering kilometres of pistes. Snowball fights, snowmen and hot chocolate breaks can be just as memorable.
• Take regular breaks: Mountain weather and skiing can be tiring. A warm café stop makes a welcome difference.
• Know when to stop: If someone has had enough, a change of activity can rescue the day. There is no prize for forcing one more run.
• Enjoy the conditions: Fresh snow and sunshine make for wonderful skiing, but always follow local advice and stay within your ability.

For more information about the resort and the wider destination, take a look at my Georgia Travel Guide. You can also explore my Kakheti Region guide, which takes you into Georgia’s celebrated wine country and offers a very different perspective on the country.

Would I Return?

Absolutely. Gudauri is snow much fun! And while I would happily return for another day on the slopes, I would also leave plenty of room in the itinerary for snowball fights, snow angels and the occasional snowman.

After all, the best family holidays are rarely the ones where everything goes exactly to plan.