This is not your ordinary ski trip. This is a 9-day cultural immersion in Georgia with you as the main character chasing the pillowy powder of Europe’s highest mountain range, the Great Caucasus. The dizzyingly high mountains rise 10,000 ft above sea level and harbor some of the wildest terrain you’ve ever ridden, right in Mestia—your base for the week. Set out to steep angled lines, mellow meadows, and tree skiing runs near this medieval, UNESCO townlet hemmed. Following après-ski indulgences, such as fireside soup dumplings and gut-warming chacha brandy, retreat to your 4-star hotel every evening. And you’ll also get to witness Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia (the Cradle of Wine) and a multicultural hub at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, so don’t miss out on a glass of crips sparkler in the city!
Georgia is undeservedly overlooked as a skiing destination, but that’s good news—you’ll have all the mountain sides of fresh powder to yourself! On this 9-day adventure, you’ll be skiing around Mestia in the mighty Caucasus at sky-high summits, both above and below the tree line. Acres of untracked snow coupled with challenging terrain configuration are sure to meet any seasoned skier’s ambitions. Besides ski touring for days on end, consider this a cultural experience—Tbilisi will stun you with its multicultural heritage, the locals’ hospitality will make you feel like home, traditional cuisine will delight all palates, and Georgian wine will make you think about making extra room in your suitcase.
As you arrive in Tbilisi, use the rest of the day to explore the city. Nested in the South Caucasus and lying on the banks of Kura River, this colorful capital of the Black Sea nation is a grand sample of Georgian urban heritage. Standing at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, what’s exhibited in its architecture and culture is the fusion of being a West-meets-East city. Use the day to roam around town, learn about the ancient winemaking, visiting one of its eclectic cafes, hilltop cathedrals, or dome-shaped bathhouses. Enjoy dinner together with your team and guides.
Meals: Dinner
Pack up and prepare for Mestia in the north, your base for the following week. Weather permitting, you will take a small plane to Mestia, while your skis and luggage will be transferred by car. It’s a long, grueling drive, so we hope the conditions permit you to fly! Settle into a four-star hotel, your base for the upcoming week. The hotel features a pool and sauna, which will come in handy after a full day spent on the snow.
Meals: Breakfast
These next days are dedicated to absorbing the culture and the environment of rural Georgia. Mestia village in the Great Caucasus radiates charm with its medieval monuments recognized by UNESCO, a river coursing through, and towering peaks in the background. Spend two days at a local ski resort and four more days using local drivers to reach remote trailheads. With peaks up to 5,000 m (16,400 ft) surrounding Mestia, you will hunt for some good snow, great views, and fantastic touring. The mountains in this area are three-thousanders (9,800 ft) boasting countless ski runs on varied, wild terrain—tree skiing in pine forests, steep angled slopes, alpine meadows, etc. Six days of carving limitless powder are ahead of you!
Meals: Breakfasts
It’s time to leave the north of Georgia and return back to Tbilisi. If possible, you’ll return on a flight. If you’re tired from the previous days, the hot springs in Tbilisi will just be what the doctor ordered! Spend the last night here.
Having spent an amazing week in Georgia, it’s time to head back home. Catch your flight back home or feel free to prolong your stay—a great selection of drinks and delicious cuisine are enough to win anyone over.
What you get in this adventure:
What’s not included:
To enjoy the backcountry skiing tour in Georgia, you need to have at least a moderate fitness level. The Georgia adventure offers intermediate to expert level of difficulty, meaning that previous backcountry skiing experience is required. If you’re intermediate, your expert guide will help you improve your skills and coach when things get a bit more difficult. Don’t worry if you’re on an advanced to expert level, the terrain is challenging so you’ll still have lots of objectives to tackle! For the latter level, you’ll need to be in excellent physical shape.
To participate in this tour, you need to have previous backcountry skiing experience. You will be skiing, touring, and summiting on glaciated terrain every day. Your guide will take care of the planning, oversee your technique, and teach you how to better manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training necessary to keep you safe. If you’ve never backcountry skied before, we suggest joining a guide for an 8-day beginner-friendly backcountry skiing tour in Georgia.
Clothing list
Snow Safety Equipment
Gear
Personal Equipment
If you have any questions regarding the equipment list, feel free to contact us prior to booking.
We recommend bringing your own equipment for backcountry skiing.
Group sizes and pricing:
Ski touring in Georgia can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to your backcountry adventure in Georgia, most people fly into Tbilisi International Airport (TBS). Tbilisi is the starting point of your adventure. The most common layover is Istanbul. Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.
Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans. If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!
We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. For more information on travel recommendations and restrictions in Georgia, please refer to Georgia Travel Advisory.
Travelers should note that there is a border dispute involving Russia and Georgia in South Ossetia. The good news is that South Ossetia and Mestia, where you’ll be based, are nearly 8 hours apart by car, separated by rugged, imposing mountains. Georgians love Westerners and welcome travelers of all stripes. You will not visit South Ossetia on this trip.
There are no Visa requirements for Americans staying 365 days or less. For other countries, please verify with your federal government if you require a visa to visit Georgia.
A 50% deposit of the total price is due upon booking. Once your guide confirms your booking, your trip departure is guaranteed and the second payment is due 90 days before the trip.
If you need to cancel a reservation, please do so in writing. Once your booking is confirmed, you and your Guides enter into financial obligations and they cannot refund payments or release you from your contractual obligations. Therefore, it is highly recommended to buy cancellation insurance to cover your losses in case you can’t participate or have to interrupt your trip “for any reason”.
Your Guides do reserve the right to change guides, particular lodging, or the itinerary or venue should unforeseen circumstances (guide sickness, hut or route closing, etc.) force them to do so or should the physical condition of the participants, weather or mountain conditions make a continuation as planned too risky. Your Guides will not be deemed to be in default for any delay or failure to perform their obligations under this agreement resulting from acts of God, the elements, war, acts of government, civil or military authorities, natural calamities, catastrophe, fire, flood, accidents, epidemics, shortage of transportation, or any other like events beyond our reasonable control.
