Bakuriani
Georgia's oldest ski resort, 30 km above Borjomi on the Trialeti range, with family-friendly skiing and cool summer walks.
BakurianiPhoto: სანდრო at English Wikipedia, Public domainBakuriani is a mountain resort at about 1,700 m on the northern slope of the Trialeti range, 30 km by road above Borjomi. Its first ski base opened in 1932, and it is still the favourite winter escape for Georgian families. The two main ski areas are Didveli, where lifts reach about 2,700 m and snowmaking covers the runs, and Kokhta, with lifts up to around 2,270 m. In 2023 Bakuriani hosted the FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships, and it has since hosted further World Cup events.
Outside the ski season Bakuriani is green, quiet and cool, a good base for walks through spruce forest and meadows. The Bakuriani Alpine Botanical Garden, founded in the early 20th century, grows hundreds of Caucasian plant species at about 1,650 m. In summer a rough road leads south over the Tskhratskaro Pass to Lake Tabatskuri. Places to stay range from large ski hotels to small family guesthouses.
What to see and do
- Ski the longer runs at Didveli, served by lifts to about 2,700 m
- Ski or sledge at Kokhta, with lifts to about 2,270 m
- See Caucasian alpine plants at the Bakuriani Alpine Botanical Garden
- Hike forest and meadow trails in summer
- Take a 4x4 trip over the Tskhratskaro Pass to Lake Tabatskuri
How to visit
Getting there
Bakuriani is about 30 km from Borjomi, roughly 40 minutes by car or minibus, and around 190 km from Tbilisi, about 3.5 hours by road. The Kukushka narrow-gauge train from Borjomi has been suspended since 2020 and is due to restart after rebuilding.
When to go
Late December to March for skiing; June to September for hiking. Plan 2-5 days in winter; 1 day in summer here.
- Book well ahead for New Year and the January holidays
- Winter tyres or chains are essential on the road up from Borjomi in snow
- Rent equipment in the village or at the lifts
- Prices drop sharply outside the ski season
Bakuriani: FAQ
Is Bakuriani or Gudauri better for skiing?
Gudauri has higher, more open terrain and suits confident skiers and freeriders. Bakuriani is a real village surrounded by forest, with a family atmosphere that many beginners prefer.
How do you get from Tbilisi to Bakuriani?
Drive or take a marshrutka to Borjomi (about 160 km), then continue 30 km uphill to Bakuriani by car, taxi or minibus. The whole trip takes about 3.5 hours.
Read more in our guides
Photo: Alexxx1979, CC BY-SA 4.0A day-by-day loop from Tbilisi through Uplistsikhe, Kazbegi and Kakheti, showing how long each drive takes, where to eat and sleep, and realistic 2026 costs.
Photo: Q-lieb-in, CC BY-SA 4.0Colour starts near the treeline in late September and reaches Tbilisi in November. Here is when each region peaks, the walks to do there and which mountain roads shut first.
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0When to go for hiking, wine, beaches or skiing, with monthly weather for Tbilisi, the coast and the Caucasus and the festivals worth timing a trip for.
Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Bakuriani.
