Winter With fresh powder every day and big long clear slopes it was so much better than the Alps! Ski in

There’s nothing better than getting to the top of a ski lift, breathing in the cold, pure air and gazing across the snowy peaks, realizing that you are about to ski down the side of a mighty mountain.

Here in Georgia we are lucky enough to have some of the most impressive and highest mountains in Europe, with many peaks in the Caucasus mountain range higher than Mont Blanc. The skiing is equally impressive and recent, continuing upgrades and investments mean that our traditional resorts of Gudauri and are equal to international standards while our brand new resort of Mestia will be one of the most advanced resorts in the world. New runs are being opened every year, but if on-piste isn’t enough for you we are one of the few countries in the world that allows heli-skiing. The opportunities to heli-ski in Georgia are virtually limitless and is probably the most exhilarating activity an advanced skier can do, anywhere in the world.

For the best moments of your skiing life, come to Georgia. WINTER valleys and served as look-out posts against Mestia the threat of invasion. Surrounded by mighty 5,000 metre peaks It’s not surprising that Svaneti has always and Europe’s highest mountain, Mt Elbrus been a popular summertime holiday (5,642 metres), Mestia is a skiers dream, destination, but nowadays most tourists situated in the heart of Svaneti, one of are looking to the mountains, not to the Georgia’s most historic and unique areas. valleys.

Until recently, Svaneti was best known for its Our brand new, high-speed quad lifts enable superb house-towers, most of them dating skiers to reach the 2,350 metre peak in total back to the 12-13th centuries which line the speed and comfort, all ready to experience the 2.6km red run (if your nerves and skill mountains. can take it), or the gentler blue run if you want to take it easy. And when you’re not skiing, enjoy the shops, WINTER bars and restaurants of Mestia, including the A beginners slope completes the area so local ice rink. that skiiers of every level can enjoy one of the world’s most picturesque resorts. Mestia Museum is a treasure trove of exquisite icons and artefacts gathered As the resort grows and develops, we also from Svaneti’s many remote churches and offer unique ski-tours, one or two-day trips villages, preserved in this natural mountain to take you to places never skied before, fortress from centuries of pillagers. including overnight stays in the high experts will want to sample some of the most challenging off-peak slopes in Eu- Gudauri rope. Located in the very heart of the Caucasus Mountains, surrounded by some of Eu- Skiing rope’s most dramatic peaks, Gudauri is a With dozens of slopes, Gudauri has pistes resort for all seasons. for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. In addition, the surrounding mountains Only a short drive – and a shorter helicop- are a haven for cross-country and off-piste ter flight – from , Gudauri is- Geor skiers. gia’s year-round playground. Gudauri’s ski runs are a total of 57km, During the ski season, from December to with its longest run over 5km in length. mid-April, Gudauri offers a full work-out Modern three and four-seat chairlifts for all levels of skiiers and boarders. True transport skiers up to the Kudebi Moun- tain, at over 3,000 metres high, above skiers and their guides to remote peaks the tree line. For experienced skiers Gu- for some of the most challenging skiing dauri provides four FIS approved types of found anywhere in the world. run: slalom, giant slalom, super slalom and speed skiing. And being so high up, Ski School Gudauri’s snow cover is guaranteed. The Gudauri Ski School offers lessons to beginners of all ages. But even advanced Cross Country skiing skiers can improve their skiing with a The remote valleys and untouched foot- fresh lesson every now and then. hills around Gudauri offer exceptional cross-country skiing, just a short distance Ski Rental from Gudauri’s groomed trails and ski The rental of new, up to date ski equip- WINTER lifts. Hiring a guide lets you get the most ment is available in Gudauri through ski out of the area and to explore the thrill of schools, local outfitters and hotels. fresh virgin snow. Rescue and First Aid Heli-skiing All of Gudauri’s ski areas are patrolled Gudauri has some of the finest high- by experienced ski rescue and first-aid altitude powder in Europe, offering vir- teams. Emergency helicopter evacuation tually unrestricted access up to 4,200 to Tbilisi is also available. metres. Our fleet of helicopters transport recreation destination. Enjoy the downhill ski runs, cross-country trails, horseback Bakuriani tours, sledding or simply take long walks Located at 1,700 metres in the Borjomi through beautiful snowy forests. region of Georgia, Bakuriani is nestled in the shadows of the breathtaking Caucasus Kokhtagora Mountains, only a three-hour drive from Kokhtagora is located at an altitude of Tbilisi. Bakuriani is the place for the world’s 2,155 metres and is served by a two- skiiers to gather and experience the best seat chair lift and 2 drag lifts, the Bugels. in skiing. Red and black runs are located here and descend from the top of the peak down to Home to dozens of alpine slopes and the mid-level cable car, where blue runs cross-country trails, Bakuriani offers and beginners nursery slopes can be some of the most spectacular skiing found. and snowboarding in Europe. Originally developed as an Olympic training facility, Kokhta 2 (Tatra) unsurprisingly, Bakuriani is Georgia’s The mountain of Kokhta 2 (2,255 metres most popular winter sports and high) is known in Bakuriani as Tatra. The red and blue pistes here run for 1.8km. From here you can catch a gondola to the slopes of Mount Sakvelo, and ski a range 25 Meter of blue and red routes. The longest piste is Twenty-five is an area of easy skiing located around 4km long. on the Circular, near the old 25 metre ski-jump which gives the area its name. Advanced skiers can continue further up Here beginners and children can learn to the mountain by catching a chairlift at the ski in a safe and pleasant environment, top of the gondola to almost the very top surrounded by the might Caucasus of Mt Sakvelo itself. Here, you can enjoy WINTER mountains. You can also toboggan and stretching your ski-legs on very steep and sledge here, or take a horse drawn sleigh- difficult red and black runs. ride through the ancient forests.

Didveli Didveli, at one of Europe’s highest mountains, Mt Sakvelo, has one on the most amazing views in any anywhere. With slopes so much quieter than in Europe I don’t know why I haven’t come to Georgia sooner! Cross country Bakuriani’s cross-country trails attract experts as well as beginners. Two of the most challenging runs begin on Mt. Kokhta (2,155 metres) and Mt. Didveli.

Skating If skating is your winter pastime, Bakuriani offers plenty of opportunities, among them at Bakuriani Park and the rink at the Hotel Edem.

Snowmobiles and Sleighs The hills and valleys around Bakuriani are ideal for snowmobiling, but if you prefer to get around the old-fashioned way, horse- drawn sleighs are the traditional mode of winter transportation in Bakuriani, so for a romantic treat, take a romantic sleigh-ride around the picturesque village.

Guide services, including renting single and double-seat snowmobiles, are available through many hotels and shops. WINTER

For a winter like this, join us for the best moments of your life... Travel information Visa Requirements family hotels, bed and breakfast and home-stays. Valid passports are required for visitors of all na- tionalities. There is no visa requirement for those Cuisine who hold a passport issued by the United States of There are many excellent restaurants in Tbilisi America, Canada, Japan, Israel, member countries serving both traditional Georgian and international of European Union, the Russian Federation, GCC cuisine, while restaurants in different regions of the countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi country mainly offer traditional dishes. Arabia, United Arab Emirates), etc. Nationalities from CIS countries, except those holding passports Climate from Turkmenistan do not require a visa. The climate of the country is extremely diverse, considering the nation’s small size. The Greater For more information please visit the website of the Caucasus Mountain Range plays an important role Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia: in moderating Georgia’s climate, protecting the na- www.mfa.gov.ge tion against cold air from the north, while the Lesser http://mfa.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_ Caucasus Mountains protect against from the very id=96&info_id=10474 dry, hot air from the south. Average temperatures in summer range from 19 °C to 22 °C, and in winter Getting There from 1.5 °C to 3 °C. By air Direct flights to Tbilisi are avallable from many Currency European and Asian cities. Non-stop flights can The official currency in Georgia is the Georgian Lari be taken from Amsterdam, Munich, Riga, Vienna, usually indicated as GEL. the Lari is subdivided into Frankfurt, Prague, Paris, Warsaw, Istanbul, Dubai, 100 Tetri. One GEL equals 0.46 Euros or 0.60 U.S. Tel-Aviv, Athens, Baku, Rome, Moscow, Yekaterin- Dollars (as of January 2012). Major hotels accept burg, Kiev, Minsk, Alma-Ata, Astana, Aktau, Tehran credit cards, but please check outside the main cit- and Urumqi. ies. Cash point machines are available throughout major towns and cities. By land Daily buses mainly to Tbilisi depart from Baku, Is- Electricity tanbul, Ankara, Trabzon, Yerevan and Athens. Electrical current - 220 Volts, 50 Hz. EU standard plugs work throughout Georgia. By Train Georgia is connected to Armenia and Azerbaijan. Communications Trains from Baku are available every day and for The country code is +995 and the area code for more information and timetables, please visit www. Tbilisi is 322. Georgian mobile operators (Geocell, railway.ge MagtiCom and Beeline) cover almost the whole ter- ritory of the country and there are many WI-FI zones By Sea that enable visitors to use the internet for free. Georgia can be accessed by weekly ferries from Ukrainian ports of Ilychevsk and Odessa. Health For the emergency services please call 112 - the Accommodation Emergency Management Department. Major cities like Tbilisi and Batumi offer hotels of all categories from international four-star, to home-stays. For more information please visit In rural regions accommodation is primarily three-star www.georgia.travel www.georgia.travel

Georgian National Tourism Administration 4 Sanapiro str, 0105, Tbilisi, Georgia Tel: +99532 2436999 Fax: +99532 2436085 E-mail: [email protected] www.gnta.ge

NOT FOR SALE • PRINTED IN GEORGIA • 2012