Traffic congestion, poor road access and pedestrian safety remain major challenges for Georgia’s Gudauri ski resort ahead of the winter season, hotelier Maia Murachashvili told BMGTV. She said snowfall significantly reduces road capacity in New Gudauri, sometimes leaving tourists waiting in traffic for more than an hour to reach ski lifts.
Murachashvili proposed building a shared parking facility at the resort entrance and operating shuttle services to the ski lifts to ease congestion. She also highlighted the continued passage of heavy trucks through Gudauri, inadequate sidewalk clearing and delays in opening a bypass tunnel, saying these issues leave tourists feeling unsafe.
Some visitors must leave their cars 1.5–2 kilometers from their hotels and walk through snow with their luggage, she said, warning that the experience can damage the resort’s reputation. Murachashvili called for additional winter staff to clear sidewalks and improve pedestrian safety.
Gudauri has announced GEL 31 million in infrastructure upgrades this year, including two new ski lifts, six kilometers of new ski runs, artificial snowmaking systems and lighting for night skiing. Georgia’s mountain resorts are scheduled to open the winter season on December 20.
