On this exceptional guided ski tour trip, you will ski through fascinating medieval villages scattered with 9th century-built defense towers, stay in local guesthouses to enjoy delicious home-cooked Georgian cuisine, and witness the most breathtaking views of the soaring peaks in the heart of the Georgian Caucasus mountain range. You will be surrounded by iconic peaks of the Caucasus, as they dominate the skyline and offer some of the best ski terrain and backcountry spots that Georgia has to offer.
There is no question why these mountains are the most sought-after mountains to ski. These are truly the most untouched and remote lines you can possibly imagine to ski tour on, nestled deep in a region that has preserved its culture from the modern world for centuries. During your guided Svaneti ski tour, you will ski tour just at the feet of Mt. Ushba and Mt. Shkhara, two of the most iconic summits in the Caucasus region. These mighty forces command your attention to their presence above, making for truly mesmerizing views while you skin up the slopes. In a single day, we will ski tour 1000-2000m. We’ll make our way from the tops of powder covered glaciers, to the bottoms of valleys and villages. Our first base during your guided ski tour will be Mestia, the main town of Svaneti. The second part of our trip will be based in the village of Ushguli, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The settlements in Ushguli Province are the highest point of human occupation in all of Europe, and promises a unique cultural experience.
There are all types of lines waiting to be explored and skied here, from easy low incline terrain, to aggressive big mountain runs. Our guide will choose the best direction for the ski tour group based on physical capabilities, weather conditions, and mental will. Discover the hidden and virgin slopes of Svaneti in one of the world’s most captivating regions. We will design an itinerary based on your Svaneti ski tour wishes and abilities.
Experience Recommended
You should have good off piste ski skills. You should also be efficient in skiing through multiple types of snow terrain. (Deep powder, heavy snow, crusty snow). You should have ample ski touring experience and be efficient using ski touring equipment.
Fitness Levels recommended
You should have a great level of fitness. We will be ski touring up to 7 hours a day with 1000m + of climbing per day.
DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | |
INCLUDED |
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NOT INCLUDED |
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RECOMENDATIONS |
Technical Gear: Skis – with ski touring bindings mounted* Make sure they are correctly fitted bindings Skins* Velcro ski tie – for carrying skis on your backpack Ski touring boots* Ski crampons Crampons* – Crampons should be automatic or semi-automatic. Designed for ice climbing. 12 point steel with anti-balling, which is preventing snow sticking Harness* – Standard climbing lightweight harness with 2 screw karabiners. Recommended to be a harness which can be worn with crampons on. Harness should be able to fit with your mountaineering jackets on. Ice Axe* – General mountaineering ice axe, suitable to your size. 1 single axe needed Ski poles* – Telescopic (with large disks at the bottom) Helmet* Shovel* – With metal blade Probe* Transceiver* **Rentable items at local rental shop
Personal Clothing and Gear: Backpack – 40-50L Ideally you should be able to attach your skis to straps on the backpack Ski Goggles Headlamp Sunglasses – sunglasses for mountaineering that fit face snug and tight. Should be 3-4th UV category Beanie hat, buff, balaclava – Gear to keep the head and face warm. Hat for the sun Waterproof Shell Jacket (1) Down Jacket (1) – Light-medium weight preferably. Hooded or without hood is fine. Mid Layer Jacket (1) – Fleece Jacket to put on top of thermal layer. Thermal Base Layer Shirt (1) – Can be a synthetic or wool layer. Should be long sleeve, preferably ¼ or ½ zipper for ventilation. Waterproof Shell Trousers (1 pair) Soft Shell trousers – Tough & windproof Thermal Base Layer Underwear/Leggings (1 pair) – Can be synthetic or wool. Water Proof Insulated Gloves or Mittens – 1 Pair. For cold weather Trekking Gloves – 1 pair. Should be warm, but not bulky. Only for ski touring and on the base camp. Technical Ski Socks – Medium weight good quality ski socks. Bring a few pairs.
Other Essentials: 50+ SPF Sun protection SPF for lips and face. Thermos – Up to 1 liter Reusable water bottle – Up to 1 liter Any required medication and first aid kit Mobile phone |
TOUR PRICE | 3895 GEL |
DEPOSIT | 750 GEL |
Arrival in Tbilisi international airport or Kutaisi international airport. From here the driver will greet you and transfer you to your hotel in Tbilisi or Kutaisi. Your hotel will be in the center of each city with easy access to sightseeing, restaurants, and cafes.
After an early breakfast, the group will be driven to Mestia, the main town in Svaneti. The drive will be about 5 hours from Kutaisi and 8 hours from Tbilisi, with some short stops on the way. There will be plenty of landscapes to enjoy from the view on the way, especially as we gain altitude and get closer to Svaneti. You will feel you are moving into another world. Check into the hotel and be introduced to your local guide. You will have a welcome dinner where you can experience proper Georgian cuisine and discuss the plans for the days ahead. We’ll also make a visit to the ethnographic museum of Svaneti.
Breakfast, dinner included
Accomodation in Mestia
Early breakfast. You will be driven to Tetnuldi Ski Resort with the group. Here we will do several off-piste runs from the ski lifts to warm up for the days ahead. We will do a short ski tour about 1 hour from the top of Tetnuldi ski resort. From here we have a thrilling ski down 1,300m to the spectacular village of Adishi, nestled in a deep valley. With the 4×4 car, we will head back to Mestia to the hotel for the night.
Vertical ascent: 200m / Vertical descent: 1,300m
Breakfast, dinner included
Accomodation in Mestia
After finishing breakfast, we’ll drive towards Becho Valley. From the village of Bagvdnari, at an altitude 1,600m, we will ski tour through an old abandoned village and the ancient Mtavarangelozi Church. The slope will take us up to 3,300m on the ridge of Mt. Kheldra. During the ascent, get closer and closer to Mt. Ushba, one of the most iconic mountains in the Caucasus. After taking in the view of the mighty peaks around us, we will make an impressive descent of 1,700m back to the village of Bagvdnari. The driver will meet us and transfer us back to Mestia hotel where we’ll feast and rest.
Vertical ascent: 1700m/ Vertical descent: 1700m
Breakfast, dinner included
Accomodation in Mestia
On this morning we will have breakfast and drive towards Tskhumari village, which is the way we will approach Mt. Laila. The ascent will start at 1,350m. At 2,250, we will have a variety of options to continue skinning up. Depending on the condition of the group, we can make our way to 3,400m, which will give us the best ski descent of a 2,050m vertical drop. After we ski down to the starting point, we will drive back to the Mestia hotel. Dinner and rest
Vertical ascent: 2050 / Vertical descent: 2050
Breakfast, dinner included
Accomodation in Mestia
This day will be an exciting tour to the powder covered Chalaadi glacier, one of the favorite tours of the trip. We will drive about 10 minutes from our hotel in Mestia and start skinning up at 1,500m. The ascent will be through a beautiful alpine forest on Mt. Koruldi up to 3,320m. From this point, we’ll ski down a different route, through the Chalaadi glacier, right at the foot of Mt. Ushba and the Chatini Mountains. The feeling is other-worldly as you witness the powerful presence of these summits above you while carving through fresh powder snow. The driver will meet us in the valley and take us to the hotel in Mestia. Dinner and rest.
Vertical ascent: 1820 / Vertical descent: 1700
Breakfast, dinner included
Accomodation in Mestia
Breakfast and checkout of hotel in Mestia. We will drive 2 hours towards the UNESCO Heritage site of Ushguli, the highest point of human occupation in Europe. At the feet of Shkhara and the massive Bezingi wall, Ushguli will fill you with amazements and curiosity. This is the most remote region of Svaneti allowing these ancient villages to be immaculately preserved. We’ll check-in to our guest house. Just next to the village, we’ll ascend Mt. Lamaria from 2,200m to 3,070m, where we’ll have an incredible view of the 9 summits of Mt Shkhara and the Svaneti main ridge. We will ski all the way down to Ushguli and relax in the guesthouse for the night.
Vertical ascent: 870m / Vertical descent: 870m
Breakfast, dinner included
Accomodation in Ushguli
We’ll skin up to Mt. Gvibari up to 2,943m from the village. The North slopes of this mountain offers the best terrain and snow conditions. We will run this line twice on this day, as the first time is never enough. After a full last day of incredible skiing we’ll head down to Ushguli and rest in the guesthouse.
Vertical ascent: 1750m / Vertical descent: 1750m
Breakfast, dinner included
Accomodation in Ushguli
After an early breakfast we’ll drive back to Tbilisi or Kutaisi from Ushguli. Check in to hotel and rest for the night.
Breakfast included
Accomodation in Tbilisi or Kutaisi
Transportation to airport from hotel and departure.
Breakfast included
Transportation to airport