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Kazbek Summit Ski and Splitboard Tour

Kazbek Summit Ski and Splitboard Tour
Kazbek Summit Ski and Splitboard Tour
1637779197092
Huayhuash trekking
Kazbek Summit Ski and Splitboard Tour

This amazing Kazbek summit ski and splitboard tour will take you to explore the spectacular ski areas in the Gudauri region of Georgia, and also to the top of the famous volcanic summit of Mount Kazbek, from where you will enjoy an unforgettable ski descent.

Private

Caucasus

8 Days

Feb - Jun

Low

Intermediate


Highlights

  • Discover a spectacular ski descent from a 5054m volcanic summit!
  • Enjoy a combined skiing and mountaineering program in the Caucasus.
  • Join an experienced local guide on an unforgettable Kazbek and ski adventure.

Description

Mount Kazbek (5054m) is one of the most popular mountains in the Caucasus Mountains and a must-go for mountaineers visiting Georgia. Kazbek is the second-highest volcanic summit in the Caucasus and the third highest peak in the country.  On this 8-day program, you will enjoy first some ski touring in the Gudauri region, and then climbing Kazbek, from where you will discover a spectacular ski descent that will take you down from a 5054m volcanic summit!

We will begin this adventure in Gudauri, which we will get to from Tbilisi (2 hours) or from Kutaisi (5 hours). Gudauri is 2100 meters above sea level, and a location from where we can easily and quickly get to miraculous ski areas. We will spend a few days exploring the region, and then cap off our adventure with a Kazbek climb and ski descent. You can find an outline of the itinerary below.

Keep in mind that the day-by-day program will depend on the weather, period, and snow conditions. The guide will decide on the best mountains to visit each day to prioritize the group’s safety and enjoyment.

Some options include:
Mt. Chrdili
Miliona
Kobi-pass
Bidara
Lomisa
Dedaena
Sioni
Arakhveti
Khada valley
Miketi
Mt. Gogebashvili
Chaukhi
Gergeti viewpoint
and I’ll keep other options a secret!

In terms of preparation, some prior experience and skills are required. This trip is suitable for off-piste intermediate, advanced, and expert-level riders! If you think you have the experience listed below, then you are welcome to join:

  • A few months of experience off-piste skiing, possibly with guides/instructors.

  • Can link several turns in light powder snow on a uniform base.

  • Can handle a variety of conditions including lightly crusted and wind-affected snow.

  • Can put turns in through heavier snow and on icy 35-degree slopes.

You will also need to be able to walk between 2 hours to 8 hours a day, and you will experience a minimum vertical ascent of 700 m, a maximum of 1400m, a minimum vertical descent of 700m, and a maximum of 4000m+.

For off-piste skiing in the resort area, we will use a ski lift and gondola to reach the best skiing spots.  The total vertical ascent will be 4500m and the total vertical drop will be 4700m+.

The tour is not limited to a specific number of people. One ski guide can take a max. of 6 people (on days 1, 2,3), and one mountain guide can take a max. of 3 people (on days 4-8). The number of guides will depend on the size of the group. In case of need, my colleague GMGA/IFMGA guides will be happy to join us!

I have been guiding for 6 years in Gudauri and more than 10 years on Kazbek. It has given me enormous experience and I always know where to find best skiing spots. I have been on top of Kazbek more than 60 times, I have seen it in all conditions, I know this mountain very well and I promise you an unforgettable and safe expedition. During our ascent, we will train for avalanche safety, take measures for proper acclimatization and I will teach you the alpine techniques required for the summit day. Additionally, we’ll practice how to use the necessary technical equipment(ice ax, crampons, and ropes).

Contact me if you are coming to Georgia and are thinking about this 8-day trip. I will be happy to guide you on a unique experience in the Caucasus Mountains!

Or, if you prefer, I also offer other great programs in the region. You can find them here.

Price includes

  • Accommodation included
  • Guiding fee
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Transport during the trip
  • Transportation start and back
  • Mountain guide expenses
  • Luggage transfer
  • Lifts tickets

Price details

  • Price does not include
  • Snacks
  • Alcohol
  • Flight tickets
  • Other charges:
  • 1) In case you would like to transfer from Kutaisi/international airport or any point in Kutaisi and transfer back, you will be charged for additional 260 EUR
  • 2) Luggage transfer:
  • At Day 4. We can rent porters on the spot to carry your luggage to Betlemi hut, it costs 100 EUR per porter and each porter can carry up to 1015kg.

Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Gudauri

– We will drive you to Gudauri from the Tbilisi and Kutaisi international airports or from any point of Tbilisi and Kutaisi.
– 2 hour from tbilisi, 5 hour from Kutaisi
– Introduction with guides, check the personal equipment, rent the equipment in case you miss something.
– Off-piste skiing within the resort
– Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 to 3: Ski touring days

Day 2-3. Ski touring days
– Over these days, we will choose the best skiable variants
– Duration: 3-5 hours
– Drive back to Gudauri. *Optional – after ski touring you can spend the rest of the day on ski resort
– Overnights at the hotel.

Day 4: On our way to Kazbek

– Drive to Stepantsminda
– Hiking up to Bethlemi hut (3650m)
– Walking 6-8 hour
– Night in Betlemi hut.

Day 5: Acclimatization

– Acclimatization hike to Bethlemi church (4000m) and back to Bethlemi hut 3650m
– Walking 2-3 hour
– Training
– Night in Betlemi hut.

Day 6: Summit day

– Mount Kazbek summit (5054m)
– 8-12 hours, ascent and descent
– Night in Betlemi Hut.

Day 7: Extra day

Reserve day in case of bad weather at day 6

Day 8: Return to Stepantsminda, transfer

  • – Ski down to the village Stepantsminda
    – Final dinner in a restaurant
    – We will drive you back to airports or any point in Tbilisi and Kutaisi.
 

Equipment you will need to bring

Crampons

Ice axe

Harness

Water bottle

Backpack

Helmet

Poles

Ski equipment

Sunglasses

Goggles

Avalanche eqmnt

Climbing skins


About the guide

Guide profile image

Mikheil

4.8

(67)

Mountain Guide

I am Mikheil Nadiradze Professional Mountain Guide. I was born in 1991 and live in Tbilisi, Georgia. I started mountaineering from an early age and have not stopped since then. Since 2011, I was studying in ATS (Adventure Tourism School) and at the same time working as a mountain-Helliski-ski tour guide and ski teacher in Caucasus Mountains-Resorts. I was a member of the Georgian Climbing National Federation for many years and have a lot of achievements in competitions. After 2020 I'm fully certified IFMGA/GMGA mountain guide. Please read the programs down below, which I and my colleagues IFMGA/GMGA guides offer to you. for more information, please feel free to contact me. We can discuss your wishes and organize suitable tour options for you. I would be glad to be your guide and share great and unforgettable moments with you! I am always happy to help groups to climb summits in safe ways and in an enjoyable atmosphere.

Languages

Georgian | English

Certificates

IFMGA | GMGA

Request more information

What people are saying about Mikheil

Marija

Amazing adventure with very profesional gide Misho. Everything was great!

Marija

It was a great experience! Micho is a very professional and attentive guide. We always felt safe. Micho gave us all his attention, monitored our well-being and helped us overcome all difficulties. It was an incredible adventure. Thank you Micho for this experience!

Erlend

Misho was an exceptional guide - experienced, patient and flexible. We felt safe and had a great time at Mount Kazbek. It was Misho’s 72 summit so experienced is an understatement. Also he was a very fun and cool guy! If your going to Georgia and need a guide we highly recommend Misho!

Daniel

Trip was fantastic . Mikheil is a professional , safety aware guide. Basecamp can really built proper toilets .

Daniel

Professional, experienced and safe guide. Good equipment can be hired. Friendly and speaks English well.


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