Ski Odyssey Across Georgia
Racha - Adjara - Svaneti - Bakhmaro - Gudauri - Vashlovani
Days 0–7 · Racha
“Quiet valleys, deep powder, and perfect tree lines”
About Racha: A remote region of the higher Caucasus range, Racha features terrain from 1500m to over 4000m. The area is known for its dramatic scenery — reminiscent of the Tetons — and long alpine approaches. The region offers a mix of north-facing bowls, open forests, and longer ascents, well-suited for multi-day tours and hut-to-hut traverses.
The bowls above Ghebi and Shovi are particularly well-sheltered due to their position just south of the main Caucasus ridge, making them less prone to wind scouring. Most routes in the alpine zone are multi-day affairs, staying in rustic shelters originally built by shepherds. Our tour will include several of these extended outings, with rest stops in both Ghebi and Shovi.
- North-facing alpine bowls and open forest zones
- Multi-day tours with overnight in traditional shelters
- Access to terrain up to 4000m
- Rest in Ghebi and Shovi
Days 8–9 · Rest in Kutaisi
“Recovery, rest, and wine”
About Kutaisi: The ancient city of Kutaisi offers hot springs, historic markets, and excellent cuisine. After a week of multi-day alpine touring, this is your chance to reset.
We’ll take time for gear maintenance, rest, and recreation. Possibilities include cave monasteries and historic city walks — or just time to rest in the guesthouse courtyard.
- Relaxation and gear tune-up options
- Access to Kutaisi’s food, markets, and wine scene
- Optional sightseeing to caves and monasteries
- Midway recovery and reconnection point
Days 10–14 · Adjara
“Black Sea meets the backcountry”
About Adjara: Nestled along the Black Sea coast in the lower Caucasus, Adjara is a region of deep maritime snowpack, rolling forested hills, and immense snowfall. Its subtropical character, unique culture, and stormy weather patterns make it one of Georgia’s most beautiful and unusual touring zones.
We’ll begin with a rest day in the vibrant coastal city of Batumi before heading into the mountains for several days of touring. The trip ends with a special visit to the family home of Snow Vigil team member Tamta, offering a glimpse into the hospitality and tradition of Adjarian village life.
- Forested terrain with a deep maritime snowpack
- Rest and recovery in Batumi on the Black Sea
- Access to unique villages and traditional cuisine
- Touring ends with a home-cooked meal with Tamta's family.
Days 15–21 · Svaneti
“Iconic towers and glacier-fed couloirs”
About Svaneti: Probably the most internationally well-known touring area of Georgia, Svaneti is home to the highest peaks in the Caucasus, rising to over 5000m. We’ll begin in Mestia, the regional capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site, before moving on to Ushguli — one of Europe’s highest permanent settlements at over 2000m.
Several classic tours can be done directly from town, and the lifts at Tetnuldi resort offer fast access to alpine terrain up to 3000m. We partner with one of the region’s top local guides to make the most of the conditions. From Mestia, we’ll head deeper into the range to Ushguli, where above-treeline day tours begin right from the doorstep.
- Based near Mestia and Ushguli
- High alpine terrain with glacial options
- Steep descents and classic ridgelines
- Svan towers and highland atmosphere
Days 22–27 · Bakhmaro
“Towering forests and powder paradise”
About Bakhmaro: Bakhmaro is a remote mountain village in the lower Caucasus, known for regularly breaking snowfall records in Georgia. Imagine Japan-style powder — but with a raw, rustic backdrop. It’s an area that’s both beautiful and notoriously hard to reach, which only adds to its mystique.
We’ll begin our time in Bakhmaro with several days of cat skiing, working with experienced local guides who have operated in the area for years. Once we’ve had our fill of mechanized access, we’ll switch to touring on foot — venturing deeper into untouched zones far from any track.
- Regularly receives record-setting snowfall
- Combination of cat skiing and backcountry touring
- Rustic accommodations and isolated charm
Days 28–30 · Rest in Tbilisi
“Recharge in the capital”
About Tbilisi: After weeks in the mountains, Tbilisi offers a welcome shift: warm baths, lively cafés, and deep culture in Georgia’s ancient capital. This is a chance to reset your senses — and your legs — before heading into the final stage of the journey.
We’ll base ourselves in the old town, with time to explore its winding streets, enjoy sulphur baths, visit museums, or simply sit on a rooftop with a glass of wine. It’s not just a pause — it’s a celebration of where you are and what you’ve already done.
- Historic bathhouses and rooftop cafés
- Optional city walks, museums, and wine bars
- Flexible downtime before the final alpine phase
Returning home from a multi-day-tour
Days 31–35 · Gudauri
“Lift-accessed couloirs and freeride lines”
About Gudauri: Located just three hours from Tbilisi, Gudauri is the most developed ski area in Georgia and offers a completely different flavor of high-mountain terrain. The region is defined by tall, sweeping alpine slopes rather than the jagged peaks of western Georgia, making it ideal for fast transitions and long, clean runs.
We’ll spend several days hitting the highlights of the Gudauri area, with opportunities to explore the lift-accessed sidecountry as well as more remote tours that begin above the treeline. With smart planning and local insight, we’ll avoid the crowds while making the most of the terrain.
- High alpine touring just beyond the resort boundary
- Reliable access to terrain above the treeline
- Option to blend lift-access with touring
Days 36–40 · Vashlovani Overland
“Georgia’s Desert Frontier”
About Vashlovani: Located near the Azerbaijani border, Vashlovani National Park is a protected desert and canyonland ecosystem unlike anything else in Georgia. Its dramatic cliffs, windswept valleys, and open steppes offer a stunning visual contrast to the snowy Caucasus range.
We’ll trade skis for wheels as we head south by van to explore this unique region. The pace slows down here — we’ll hike, camp, and take time to recover while surrounded by vast, golden terrain. Vashlovani is a reminder that wildness comes in many forms.
- 4x4 overland adventure through canyonland terrain
- Recovery days in nature: hike, rest, explore
- Wild camping under stars and cliffs
- A complete visual and sensory shift from the mountains
Optional Week · Ski Touring in Armenia
“Ancient peaks and apricot valleys”
About Armenia: If you have the time and energy, a final week in Armenia offers a unique endcap to the journey — trading Georgia’s high alpine spines for the volcanic domes of the Armenian highlands.
- Touring in extinct volcanic terrain and open bowls
- Cultural visits to monasteries, towns, and Yerevan
- Quiet mountains and little-known descents
- Optional add-on for those who want to keep going
What’s Included
- Professional guiding across all zones
- Transportation including airport pickup and dropoff
- All meals in guesthouses and lunches for backcountry trips (lunches in resorts and on downtime will be up to you). Alcohol not included explicitly but often its part of the meal.
- Lift tickets where applicable
- Tents, sleeping bags/pads and winter camping gear if we need it
Pricing
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We typically use a 3-person minimum cost when calculating costs for trips, so this price is valid for up to 3 persons with additional persons calculated through a sliding scale.
- 27,000 minimum trip cost (up to 3 persons)
- 32,000 USD 4 persons
- 35,000 USD 5 persons
- 2,000 USD deposit for reservation, per person (deposit is applied toward total balance)
Remaining balance will be due at a later date or on a schedule which we can discuss.
