




Come and enjoy 8 days of wonderful ski touring in the historical Georgian province of Svaneti in the Caucasus mountains with certified guides.
Group
Caucasus
8 Days
Jan - Mar
High
Intermediate
Explore the legendary mountain region of Svaneti, nestled on the southern slopes of the Caucasus and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area is home to ten of Georgia’s highest peaks—several of which will feature along our route, revealing stunning, breathtaking landscapes at every turn.
For 8 wonderful days, I would like to guide you on some of the best descents on some of the best mountains in the region.
Svaneti offers more than just dramatic mountains; it’s also a gateway to ancient traditions. Inhabited by the Svan people, first mentioned by Greek writers over two thousand years ago, the region is dotted with iconic defensive towers that stand proudly against a backdrop of glaciers and rugged Caucasus summits.
If you would like to enjoy ski touring in one of Europe’s least known, but arguably most beautiful spots, just send me a request!
Meeting point
After arriving in Tbilisi or Kutaisi, we continue directly to Mestia, a mountain town and ski resort located at 1,500 meters above sea level. The drive takes us past a beautiful reservoir and through a narrow mountain gorge on the way to Upper Svaneti.
In Mestia, you will check into a cozy guesthouse and be welcomed with a traditional Georgian dinner.
Later, we will hold a briefing, inspect the equipment, and enjoy a walk through the historic town, surrounded by ancient towers and churches that date back more than a thousand years.
We begin with avalanche safety training, where you will practice key skills using safety equipment and assess the group’s abilities.
Once everything is ready, we head out for ski touring on the slopes of Tetnuldi and Hatsvali. Tetnuldi, whose name means “White Mountain,” stands at 4,869 meters and is one of the most impressive peaks in the Caucasus.
The resort is the second largest in Georgia, offering a 900-meter vertical drop and excellent conditions for enjoyable freeride skiing. Hatsvali, our second stop, is known for its wide views of Tetnuldi and Ushba. This area also has some of the snowiest slopes in Georgia, along with unforgettable Caucasus scenery.
We travel deeper into Svaneti to discover untouched off-piste terrain. Along the way, you will pass through pristine snowy valleys framed by towering peaks, glaciers, and spectacular views of the Southern Caucasus.
Our routes also include visits to ancient Svan villages, where you can experience the traditional way of life and the rich culture of the local mountain communities.
Optional excursions include the ethnographic museum and the museum of Mikhail Khergiani, the legendary Svan climber known as the “Tiger of the Rocks” for his remarkable speed and skill on vertical routes.
The day begins with one last ski tour, offering a final opportunity to enjoy the unforgettable landscapes of Svaneti. After that, we return to Tbilisi or Kutaisi and check into our hotel. Spend your last evening wandering through the old streets and enjoying traditional Georgian dishes, a perfect way to end the journey.
In the morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home, carrying with you unforgettable memories and the lasting beauty of the Caucasus.
For this trip, you will need to bring appropriate clothing and equipment for cold, high-mountain conditions. Essential clothing includes thermal underwear, a thin fleece jacket and pants, a thick fleece jacket, and a technical shell jacket and pants. You should also pack a hat, a neck gaiter or buff, a balaclava, a warm down jacket, gloves, mittens, ski socks, and suitable footwear such as ski touring boots or snowboard boots, along with apres-ski boots for added comfort.
In terms of equipment, you will need avalanche safety gear, a harness, a ski helmet, a complete ski touring setup, ski poles, sunglasses, ski goggles, a ski touring backpack, and a duffel bag to carry your belongings.
Additionally, be sure to include a thermos, a headlamp, a personal first aid kit, sunscreen, a hygiene kit, and all necessary documents.
5.0
(8)
Languages
English | Russian
Certificates
IFMGA
Menno
Dmitry was the best guide we could have wished for, a very calm person with loads of great stories and experience. We arived in Bishkek a bit before the trip started, and he invited us to have dinner with him at a local restaurant to also gain this experience. We were complete beginners before this adventure and before hand he helped us with al the gear, booking accommodation before and after the trip and even helped us with other non trip related questions about renting and the country. As we were complete beginners he adjusted the program to what we were capable of at the time, starting with al the basics in a simulation, and quickly moving on to bigger things as we climbed our first peak on our own on day three! He gave us the confidence to do it without his help as he explained: “you should be able to do this also when he is not there”, of course while maintaining an eye to make sure we are doing everything safely. During this trip we also became friends, he joined us for drinks in the spare hours we had during the trip, and also joined us for drinks after the trip for a nice “so you soon” rather than a goodbye. Thanks Dmitry for all we have learned, all we have experienced and we will definitely contact you for our next adventure!
It was a great journey, within one week we ski toured in two locations: Chimbulak and Cosmostation. Everything was well organized and it was a pleasure to spend a time with a great team and experienced guide!
Dima is one of the most knowledgeable and comfortable guides I know. He lives and breathes the mountains. He understands the group perfectly and does everything to ensure safe skiing. Dima has a great sense of humor and finds an excellent rapport with each group member. He's a reliable companion.
Ski Touring in Karakol: Thanks for the Best Freeride Weekend! We went ski touring in the Karakol area (Kyrgyzstan) in January. I want to give a special thanks to our guide, Dmitry. This was my first ski tour in Kyrgyzstan, and I was a little nervous. But the guide did everything he could to make the trip perfect. What I liked: 1. Professionalism. He knows the terrain around Karakol perfectly. We didn't waste time searching for the "right" snow; from the very first day, we skied only on high-quality, safe slopes. 2.Safety. He constantly monitored the avalanche situation, took readings from the test blocks (he always let us try them ourselves, and explained the physics of snow). The group was confident that we were on the right route. 3. Adaptation to the group. One of us was going slowly, so the guide didn't rush ahead, but patiently waited for the one lagging behind. The faster guys didn't get bored either—he let them speed up on the descents on the safe shoulders. 4.Logistics. He helped with transfers from Bishkek and knows the best houses in Karakol (the flatbreads and tea were a lifesaver after long hikes). Who would recommend him to: ski touring beginners and experienced freeriders. The snow in Kyrgyzstan is incredible: powder, sun, and no people. The guide completely captured the region. Thank you so much, we'll definitely be back!
It was amazing and wonderful trip in my life with a great and very professional guide. I got an unforgettable good impressions from this climb for a lifetime. It’s just cool!
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