Goderdzi
A young ski resort near the 2,025 m Goderdzi Pass in Upper Adjara, with gentle pistes, guided off-piste and summer walks to Green Lake.
GoderdziPhoto: Aleksey Muhranoff, CC BY-SA 3.0Goderdzi is Adjara's ski resort, built in the mid-2010s near the Goderdzi Pass, where the Batumi–Akhaltsikhe road crosses from Adjara into Samtskhe-Javakheti at 2,025 m. Moist air from the Black Sea brings plenty of snow, and the lifts, including a gondola and a chairlift, run from about 1,720 m to about 2,360 m. The pistes total around 7 km, all easy or intermediate, so it suits beginners and families, while stronger skiers come for off-piste and ski touring with local guides.
In summer the resort is quiet, but the meadows around the pass are good for walking, and a rough track leads north to Green Lake, about 5 km away as the crow flies. The summer resort of Beshumi, set among high pastures, is nearby. The road over the pass continues to Adigeni and Akhaltsikhe, a slow but scenic link toward Borjomi and Vardzia in the warmer months.
What to see and do
- Around 7 km of easy and intermediate pistes
- Gondola and chairlift up to about 2,360 m
- Guided off-piste skiing and ski touring
- Summer walks to Green Lake
- The Goderdzi Pass road into Samtskhe-Javakheti
How to visit
Getting there
Goderdzi is about 110 km from Batumi, 3 to 4 hours by car via Keda, Shuakhevi and Khulo, depending on season and road conditions. In winter use a 4x4 or a car with winter tyres, or book a transfer from Batumi.
When to go
Mid-December to early April for skiing; July–September for hiking. Plan 1–3 days here.
- There is no avalanche service, so go off-piste only with a guide and avalanche gear.
- Check road conditions before driving up in winter.
- Weather changes fast at 2,000 m; bring warm layers even in summer.
- Combine a summer visit with Green Lake and a night in Khulo.
Goderdzi: FAQ
Is Goderdzi good for beginners?
Yes. About two-thirds of its roughly 7 km of pistes are rated easy and the rest intermediate, with no difficult runs.
How do I get to Goderdzi from Batumi?
Drive about 110 km east up the Adjaristskali valley via Khulo, which takes 3 to 4 hours depending on the season. In winter a 4x4 or a transfer from Batumi is the safest choice.
Read more in our guides
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Photo: Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, Public domainWhich trains are worth taking, how marshrutkas work, when a private driver pays off, what driving in the mountains is really like and how long each journey from Tbilisi takes.
Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Goderdzi.
