Georgia’s ski season extends into April

Georgia’s winter resorts are extending their ski season through to mid-spring, delighting skiers and snowboarders alike.

Georgia’s Mountain Resorts Development Company today announced the 2015 ski season at Gudauri and Bakuriani resorts will remain open until the end of April.

The extension of the season was made possible thanks to the recent introduction of artificial snow machines, a company representative said. The snow machines were installed at the two resorts last year and have contributed to ensuring a more reliable snow cover at both mountains.

Snow Park in Gudairi. Photo by George Danelia/ Gudauri Official

While temperatures in Georgia are warming up, the artificial snow machines will help extend the winter season for another five to six weeks.

Deputy Director of Mountain Resorts Development Company Irakli Tchirakadze said developing Georgia’s ski tourism was a major focus and both resorts were currently going through a development phase.

At Gudauri, guests can ski on established tracks or off-piste. More adventurous skiers and snowboarders can also challenge themselves at the Snow Park, which was recently renovated and included several jumps and a landing bag.

Snow Park in Gudairi. Photo by George Danelia/ Gudauri Official

Meanwhile by the end of spring 2015, additional artificial snowmakers are expected be installed at two ski tracks in Gudauri and artificial lakes will also be built at Bakuriani and Gudauri. The lakes will provide the snow guns with enough water for making snow.

"The artificial lakes will provide water to the system which transforms it into snow. Before it was only possible to provide only one track with artificial snow [but] after the lakes are built, the possibility of expanding this service will extend significantly,” the company representative said.

Finally, installation of artificial snow machines has already started at the Didveli ski track in Bakuriani and the first ropeway at Gudauri.