Backcountry Skiing Expedition in Svaneti, Georgia

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • GMGA-certified backcountry ski guide(s) with extensive knowledge of the area
    • Six full days of guided skiing
    • Transportation to and from the Kutaisi Airport or Tbilisi
    • All transfers for the duration of the tour
    • Accommodations for the duration of the tour in twin-share rooms
    • Seven home-cooked breakfasts and dinners
    • Lift passes for all the resorts used on the tour
    • Avalanche safety and ski technique training — optional

  Not included:

  • • Transportation to Georgia
    • Ski equipment – contact the guide for rentals
    • Avalanche safety equipment
    • Lunches
    • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
    • Guide gratuities — optional

  If your flight arrives a day early, your departure is a day later, or if you want to spend an extra day resting from your travels, your guide can help you find accommodations for the extra night. Make sure to let them know in advance.

• How fit do I need to be?

  This backcountry skiing adventure is meant for experienced skiers with strong fitness levels. You will spend 6 consecutive days powder skiing or snowboarding in varied, occasionally challenging, backcountry terrain, and hiking at high elevations for 3-4 hours. There will also be plenty of skinning, and you should be able to handle 1,000+m/3,280+ ft descents in altitudes higher than the Alps. To ensure your safety and the safety of your group, be honest with your skill level.

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of the ski touring equipment you need to bring:

  • • Skis or splitboard with touring bindings
    • Climbing skins
    • Touring ski/snowboard boots
    • Collapsible touring poles
    • Avalanche safety kit:
      • Avalanche beacon
      • Shovel
      • Probe

  Here are some outerwear recommendations and backcountry essentials:

  • • Warm, sweat-wicking base layers
    • Midlayers
    • Waterproof ski pants
    • Waterproof ski jacket
    • Spare clothes for 6 days of skiing and touring
    • Gloves
    • Helmet
    • Goggles
    • Sunglasses
    • 25-35L backpack (large enough to carry all of your equipment)
    • Water bottle (thermos is best)
    • Snacks
    • Sunscreen

  Rental equipment is available upon request. If you would like to rent equipment, make sure to contact your guides in advance.

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• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • For these tours, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 4:1, with a maximum number of 12 participants per tour.
    • For open group departures, a minimum of 4 participants is required for the tour to run.
    • For private departures, there is no minimum number of participants required—you can even go solo if you want! But keep in mind that the cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to ski with friends and family!

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to your tour in Svaneti, most people fly into Kutaisi International Airport, 4.5 hours away.

  Your guide will arrange for transportation from Kutaisi to Svaneti. You will meet your guide at the pre-arranged time at a predetermined destination in Kutaisi. Expect more detailed information upon booking the tour.

  Pickup and dropoff city/airport can be changed on request for a small additional fee. If you’re coming from the US, it would be more convenient to fly to Tbilisi or Batumi.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

  Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

  Basic

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 30-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Super Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 30 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.

  Early Bird booking

  Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your Early Bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit.

  As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best.

  More about how Early Bird bookings work below:

  • • Only a 10% non-refundable deposit must be paid upon booking, but this deposit can be transferred to any other 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t end up working for you.
    • Once our guides publish new tour dates, we’ll reach out to you so you’ll be the first one to choose from newly released dates.
    • When you pick your date, you’ll confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total trip amount (amounting to the standard 30% deposit).
    • Once the trip has been confirmed, the regular cancellation policy (found above) applies.
    • The remaining balance is due 90 days before the trip.