This is not your ordinary ski trip—it’s 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 +3,000 m/ 9850 ft above sea level and harbor some of the wildest terrain you’ve ever ridden. After warming up on Gudauri’s sunny slopes combined with après-ski indulgences, set out to steep angled lines, mellow meadows, and tree skiing runs of Mestia—a medieval, UNESCO townlet hemmed in by three-thousanders. It’d be a shame to visit Georgia, the Cradle of Wine, without having a glass of crisp sparkler in its capital Tbilisi, a multicultural hub at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Priding itself on its exquisite cuisine, relish in Georgia’s fireside soup dumplings or taste the gut-warming chacha brandy after a cold day in the snow.
Tour the Great Caucasus, Europe’s highest mountain range
3,000-meter high varied terrain for gentle cruises or challenging runs
As the birthplace of wine, a glass of inky red is a must to complement its traditional cuisine
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 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. Before heading to the backcountry, use the day to roam around town, visiting one of its eclectic cafes, hilltop cathedrals, or dome-shaped bathhouses. In the afternoon, head to Gudauri Ski Resort, a 90-minute drive from Tbilisi.
First skiing day at the largest and highest ski resort in Georgia! Situated in the Caucasus Range at an elevation of +3,000m (9,850 ft), its slopes above the treeline offer the opportunity to either resort ski or to head off-piste. With a fine selection of runs and plenty of backcountry skiing access coupled with lifts to get to the top as quickly as possible, you’ll find something to your liking here. Georgia is the oldest wine making country in the world, so after a day out, have a glass of wine at one of the many après-ski options or retreat to a spa center!
After spending another amazing day shredding fresh pow stashes, pack up and head back to Tbilisi for the night, as it will be easier to reach your next backcountry ski location.
Enjoy the last couple of hours at Gudauri, after which you’ll pack up and hit the road. Mestia is a 10-hour drive away, but you’ll make some cool stops along the way. You’ll arrive at Mestia in the evening—have a delicious traditional dinner and hit the hay.
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. The mountains in this area are three-thousanders (9,850 ft) boasting countless ski runs on varied, wild terrain—tree skiing in pine forests, steep angled slopes, alpine meadows, etc. Four days of carving limitless powder are ahead of you!
The early bird gets the worm, so get up at 4 a.m.! You’ll be transferred back to Tbilisi, where you can spend the day exploring places you didn’t manage to see on your first day—maybe dive into Tbilisi’s history by going for a dip at one of the many sulfur bathhouses. Have your final dinner at an elegant traditional restaurant. Spend the last night in Tbilisi.
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.
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, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Georgia, please refer to Entry Rules for Foreign Citizens Traveling to Georgia.
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 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.
As you won’t be based in one single place for the duration of your adventure, 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.
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.
To get to your backcountry adventure in Georgia, most people fly into Tbilisi International Airport. 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.
