Backcountry Skiing Base Camp in Racha, Georgia

Things to know

• Covid measures in Racha, Georgia

  57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. 

  We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Racha, please refer to the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ entry rules for foreign citizens. 

  Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

• What’s included?

  What you get in this adventure:

  • • An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • Six days of backcountry ski touring and freeriding
    • Car transportation from Tbilisi or Kutaisi to Oni/Racha and back
    • Transportation in Racha for the duration of the tour
    • Two nights of guesthouse accommodations in Oni
    • Five nights of basecamp accommodations in Racha
    • Snowmobile shuttle for your gear to the basecamp and back
    • Use of saunas and showers in the base camp
    • Three traditional Georgian and European meals a day

  What’s not included:

  • • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
    • Transportation to Georgia
    • Accommodations and meals in Tbilisi or Kutaisi
• How fit do I need to be?

  To enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to be in excellent physical shape. You will be on your feet for 6 full days, covering 600+ meters (2,000+ ft) of daily vertical gain and vertical drops up to 1,400 m (4,600 ft). You will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging blue or black-level resort runs, as well as be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.

• What if I’ve never backcountry skied before?

  Backcountry skiing isn’t just for pros looking for the ultimate thrill ride, it’s also beginner-friendly, meaning anyone with solid blue-level resort experience can have fun in the backcountry. If you’ve never backcountry skied before, heading out with a guide is your best bet. They’ll take care of the planning, introduce you to the basics, like skinning uphill, and teach you how to manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training to keep you safe.

• What equipment do I need to bring?

  For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:

  • • Alpine touring skis, telemark skis, or splitboard with skins (can be rented)
    • Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
    • Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
      • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
      • Lightweight snow shovel
      • Avalanche probe

  For personal items, we recommend bringing:

  • • Helmet
    • Sunglasses or ski goggles
    • Gloves and hat
    • Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
    • Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
    • Down jacket or vest
    • Clothes for five days of backcountry ski touring
    • Spare warm clothes for camp
    • Crocs, rubber clogs, or equivalent for the sauna
    • High boots for camp
    • Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
    • One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners
    • Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
    • Water bottle and 1L of water
    • Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
    • Food you can eat on-the-go
    • First aid kit
    • Sunscreen
    • Personal sleeping bag rated at 0°C (32°F)
    • Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack)
    • Camera — optional
• Can I rent equipment?

  All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent: 

  • • Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel, and probe from MPlus. 
    • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots, and poles can be rented from MPlus. 
    • Splitboards can be rented from MPlus.

  Ski rental locations are in Tbilisi and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing:

  • • For this adventure, the max client-to-guide ratio is 6:1. All prices are per person.
    • If joining alone, you’ll be placed with peers that share a similar level of experience.
    • Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.

  Ski touring in Racha, Georgia, can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis.

  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 Racha, Georgia, most people fly into Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport in Tbilisi, 5 hours away from Racha, or David the Builder Kutaisi International Airport in Kutaisi, 2 hours away.

  Your guide will arrange private car transfers from Tbilisi or Kutaisi to Racha, and back to your choice of airport after the tour.

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Secure your spot for the following season with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you’ll be the first one to know. Pick the month that suits you best and we’ll let you know once the dates are live—don’t risk missing out on your bucket list adventure!

  • • Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t suit you by the end of the year.
    • Once the dates are set, another 20% of the total amount needs to be paid to confirm your booking.
    • The final balance is due 3 months (90 days) prior to departure.

  For set dates, a 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. 

  • • If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to ninety (90) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a full refund. 
    • For cancellations thirty (30) to eighty-nine (89) + calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking. 
    • After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.