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Hut to Hut Ski Tour in Georgian Caucasus, Svaneti

Hut to Hut Ski Tour in Georgian Caucasus, Svaneti
Hut to Hut Ski Tour in Georgian Caucasus, Svaneti
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Discover Svaneti, one of the most beautiful and remote places of Georgia, on this exciting ski tour along with Ilia, a local IFMGA certified guide.

Private and Group

Caucasus

8 Days

Feb, Mar, Apr, May

Fit

Intermediate


Highlights

  • Enjoy ski touring in a fantastic destination in Georgia.
  • Discover the natural wonders and dreamy landscapes of Svaneti.
  • Join a multi-day hut to hut ski touring adventure like no other.

Description

Would you like to experience the unique ski touring opportunities that Georgia has to offer? Then you must join me on this 8-day hut-to-hut adventure to experience the snowy peaks of Svaneti, in the Caucasus mountains. Not only will you have the chance to experience pristine untouched powder, but you will also discover the beautiful local culture as you explore different mountain villages.

Svaneti (also called Svanetia) is an ancient region in the northwestern part of Georgia. Located in the heart of the Caucasus, it is surrounded by the highest peaks of the range, at altitudes between 3000 and 5000 meters. Towering mountains, coniferous forests, pristine snow, and glaciers are part of the dreamy landscape of Svaneti, which is considered one of the most beautiful places in the country. Besides the natural attractions, the region is also known for its historical stone villages. Furthermore, in the past few years, Svaneti has become a very attractive spot for winter sports lovers.

On this adventure, we will visit the small village of Becho,  Mestia, and a community of villages called Ushguli. Each day, we will travel to different mountains in the region, of altitudes up to 3000m. You will be able to enjoy an exhilarating skiing program that will take your breath away while discovering the Georgia mountains and the warm and welcoming local people! Find the complete itinerary below.

Please contact me if you want to be a part of this Svaneti skiing tour next winter. I'm a local GMGA certified guide who will be glad to show you the best spots of this outstanding region of Georgia.

You can also check another great tour that I offer in Georgia: Gudauri freeride and ski touring trip.

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Accommodation included

- Lift tickets

- Transportation start and back

- Transport during the trip

- Luggage transfer

- Breakfast

- Dinner


Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

Arrive to the airport of Tbilisi (Georgia’s capital city) and departure to Svaneti. There’s a chance of taking a flight from Natakhtari (near Tbilisi) or Kutaisi airport to Mestia airport. We spend the night in a guesthouse at Becho village.

Day 2: Mount Decil

This is our first ski tour. We go from Village Mazeri to Mount Decil (at 2578 m). Then, we descend to village Etseri (1500 m). Finally, we spend the night in Becho.

Day 3: Guli Valley

We go from Village Mazeri to Guli Valley (there’s a viewpoint at 3200m). Then, we descent on Guli glacier to village Bagvdanari (at 1600 m). Night in Becho.

Day 4: Mount Simzagari

We go from village Etseri to Mount Simzagari (3311 m). Then, we descend to village Ipari (1300 m). Spend the night in Becho.

Day 5: Tskhkvzagari

We drive to Mestia and then go to Tskhkvzagari (2353 m). We descend on Chaladi glacier. Spend the night at a hotel in Mestia.

Day 6: Tetnuldi resort

A transfer takes us from Mestia to Tetnuldi resort (2000 m). We use lifts to 3300 m. After that, we descend to village Zabeshi (1600 m). Night in Mestia.

Day 7: Tetnuldi resort

Transfer takes us from Mestia again to Tetnuldi resort. We use lifts to 3300m. We descend to village Adishi (2000m). Finally, we drive to Ushguli, where we spend the night at a guesthouse.

Day 8: Departure

We return to Tbilisi. Then, a transfer takes you to the airport for departure.

 

Details

Accommodation

Guesthouse and hotels, such as Edelweiss Guesthosue.

Meeting point

Airport of Kutaisi or Tbilisi (Georgia)

Frequently Asked Questions

Where will we meet?

Can you explain the detailed itinerary you're planning?

What is the best time of the year to ski in Svaneti?

Will we be able to evolve on a glacier despite our lack of experience?

Do we need a sleeping bag?

Do we sleep in a different place every night?

Could you explain the level of comfort of the accommodation?

About the guide

I'm a fully certified IFMGA / UIAGM mountain guide from Tbilisi, Georgia. I have the GMGA (Georgian Mountain Guides Association) certificate and I'm a member of the Austrian Mountain Guide Association.

I'm a professional mountaineer, national team member of Georgian Mountain Federation. I am actively climbing in the Caucasus mountain range.

The programs I guide more often are:
- Mountaineering = Mt. Kazbek, Mt. Tetnuldi, Mt. Ushba, Chaukhi region.
- Ski Touring = Gudauri, Svaneti, Kazbegi regions.
I also manage large expeditions and base camps for Caucasus Mountains.

Please get in touch with me if you plan to come to Georgia. It will be my great pleasure to help you and to guide you in our awesome mountains.

I am leading a Guide Office in Georgia, and work together with my colleagues George, Lasha and Leri (National certified Mountain Guides). In case I'm not available, one of them will be your guide.

Languages

Russian | Georgian | English

Certificates

GMGA | IFMGA


What people are saying about this trip

Erin Griffith

5.00

March, 2023

Snow conditions were challenging and our guide did an excellent job finding the local powder! I would recommend this trip to anyone and I would highly recommend a LOCAL guide. They know the lay of the land and I think our trip was very successful due to their local knowledge compared to some of the other groups we saw with non-local guides.

Michel lahaye

5.00

February, 2023

Le service Explorer fonctionne à merveille et me servira peut-être une autre fois. J'en parle également autour de moi

Koos van Sittert

5.00

April, 2022

Svaneti is a great place. We had an excellent trip

Erin Sanborn

5.00

March, 2022

I did a backcountry ski trip in Georgia last month; your site connected me to a local guide there, Ilia. His guiding service in Mestia was absolutely wonderful. They were organized, responsive, and passionate about their beautiful home country which they generously shared with us. Ilia connected us to one of his colleagues, Gio, who was top notch. We had a remarkable time and have them (and you!) to thank for this!

David Schlaepfer

5.00

February, 2022

Absolutely stunning trip with Ilia as a great guide. We had a very authentic experience - a perfect mix of great powder tours and cultural insights. The organisation was flexibly adjusted to the conditions, but seamlessly. We always felt safe and well taken care of. We'll come back and can highly recommend a trip with Ilia, especially if you are looking for some adventures. Ilia, thank you for this outstanding experience.

William Wolf

5.00

March, 2020

We spent a week organised by Illia and his team between Mestia, Ushguli, in Februar 2020. Our guide was Gogi. He was also driving us from Tbilisi to Mestia and in Mestia for the daily ski tours. We spent a fantastic week. Everything was very well organised. Gogi found very nice ski tours, that matched what we wanted, i.e. between 1000 and 2000m climbing per day in nice landscapes with good powder. Gogi was also always concerned with our security (avalanches) and we had always the impression to be in good hands. Thank you for this very nice week !

Louis Hubert P.

5.00

March, 2019

We spent an exceptional week in Svaneti. Ilia guided us safely all around the valley. The place is wonderful and exceptionally well preserved. Villages are just out of time and still protected from mass tourism. they should definitly be visited soon... We enjoyed extraordinary views and gigantic landscapes, followed by endless descents in superb snow... Ilia's reputation clearly precedes him among all the guides who consider him as a reference. One recommendation : Get there soon and enjoy this beautiful region!

Benoit Tesch

5.00

March, 2019

Mestia in the Svaneti region will not remain an idem gem for long. It's got it all: alpine descents, all-you-can-ski powder and remote villages charged with history. Illia was a great guide both in and out of the slopes; safe, fun and knowledgeable. And do not worry about the food, it is amazing!

Oliver Schmid

5.00

March, 2019

Mestia and in particular Ushguli provided for a remarkable context to this amazing, off the beaten track skiing trip. The pictures speak for themselves: it is developing quickly but is nevertheless a place frozen in time, where cows and donkeys far outnumber cars and the Caucasus provides for an imposing backdrop. Georgian hospitality was fantastic and Ilia made sure we were well looked after at all times, on and off the slope. We felt very safe enjoying the copious amounts of powder that was falling the week we were there. We kept on bumping into groups of people who had been guided by him in prior seasons and felt compelled to visit again - and something tells me we might join those ranks soon too...

Victoria van Lennep

5.00

March, 2019

Absolutely loved our trip to Georgia. In short: incredibly pittoresque villages, wonderful people, amazing food, stunning scenaries, ridiculous powder (some of the best snow ever!), and a very friendly, professional and experienced ski guide. You will always feel safe with Ilia. What more does one need? I highly recommend a trip to the beautiful Svaneti region.

Gabrielle Walton

3.00

March, 2018

Poor weather but nice guide

Fabian Leimer

5.00

March, 2018

The traveller did not leave a comment.


 

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