Winter Ski in Georgia 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 extremely modernised and impressive, ongoing upgrades and investments have set our With fresh powder every day and traditional resorts of Gudauri and Bakuriani upto international standarts, while our brand big long clear slopes it was so much new resort of Mestia will be one of the most advanced resorts in the world. New runs better than the Alps! 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 offers heli-skiing. The opportunities to heli-ski in Georgia are virtually limitless and is probably the most exhilarating activity an advanced skier can experience, anywhere in the world. For the best moments of your skiing life, come to Georgia. WINTER which have lined the valleys and served to experience the 2.6km red run (if you stays in the high mountains. as look-out posts against the threat of are an experienced skier), or the gentler Mestia invasion. blue run if you want to take it easy. And when you’re not skiing, enjoy the WINTER Surrounded by mighty 5,000 metre peaks shops, bars and restaurants of Mestia, and Europe’s highest mountain, Mt Elbrus It’s not surprising that Svaneti has always A beginners slope is designed in a way, including the local ice rink. (5,642 metres), Mestia is a skiers dream, been a popular summertime holiday that skiers of every level can enjoy one of situated in the heart of Svaneti, one of destination, but recently most tourists are the world’s most picturesque resorts. Mestia Museum is a treasure trove of Georgia’s most historic and unique areas. looking for the mountains and not valleys. exquisite icons and artefacts gathered As the resort grows and develops, we also from Svaneti’s many remote churches Until recently, Svaneti was best known Our brand new, high-speed quad lifts offer unique ski-tours, one or two-day and villages, preserved in this natural for its superb house-towers, most of them enable skiers to reach the 2,350 metre trips to take you to places tha have been mountain fortress dating back to dating back to the 12-13th centuries peak in total speed and comfort, all ready never skied before, including overnight centuries of pillagers. 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 that cannot be found anywhere else in run: slalom, giant slalom, super slalom the world. and speed skiing. And being one of the highest mountains, snow coverage is Ski School guaranteed. The Gudauri Ski School offers lessons to True experts will want to try out some of beginners of all ages. But even advanced the most challenging off-peak slopes in Cross Country skiing skiers can improve their skills with ad- Gudauri Europe. The remote valleys and untouched foot- vanced lessons every now and then. Located in the very heart of the Caucasus hills around Gudauri offer exceptional Skiing Ski Rental Mountains, surrounded by some of Eu- cross-country skiing, just a short distance WINTER rope’s most dramatic peaks, Gudauri is a With dozens of slopes, Gudauri has pistes from Gudauri’s groomed trails and ski The rental of new, up to date ski equip- resort for all seasons. for all levels of skiers and snowboarders lifts. Hiring a guide lets you get the most ment is available in Gudauri ski schools, for all levels. Furthermore, the surround- out of the ski area and to explore the thrill local outfitters and hotels. Only a short drive – and even a shorter ing mountains are a haven for cross-coun- of fresh virgin snow. helicopter flight – from Tbilisi, Gudauri is try and off-piste skiers. Rescue and First Aid Georgia’s year-round playground. Heli-skiing All Gudauri ski areas are patrolled by ex- Gudauri’s ski runs are a total of 57 km, Gudauri has some of the finest high- perienced ski rescue and first-aid teams. During the ski season, from December with its longest run over 5km in length. altitude mountains in Europe, offering Emergency helicopter evacuation to Tbili- to mid-April, Gudauri offers a full work- Modern three and four-seat chairlifts virtually unrestricted access up to 4,200 si is also available. out for skiers and boarders of all levels. transport skiers up to the Kudebi Moun- metres. Our fleet of helicopters transport recreation destinations. Enjoy the downhill red and blue pistes here run for 1.8km. From here you can catch a gondola to the ski runs, cross-country trails, horseback slopes of Mount Sakvelo, and ski a range Bakuriani tours, sledding or simply take long walks 25 Meter of blue and red routes. The longest piste Located at 1,700 metres in the Borjomi through beautiful snowy forests. Twenty-five is an area of easy skiing is around 4km long. region of Georgia, Bakuriani is nestled located on the Circular, near the old 25 in the shadows of the breathtaking Kokhtagora metre ski-jump which gives the area its Advanced skiers can continue further up Caucasus Mountains, only a three-hour Kokhtagora is located at an altitude of name. Here, mighty Caucasus Mountains the mountain by catching a chairlift at the drive from Tbilisi. Bakuriani is the place 2,155 metres and is served by a two- creat a safe and pleasant environment top of the gondola almost to the very top for the world’s skiiers to gather and seat chair lift and 2 drag lifts, the Bugels. for beginners and children. You can of Mt Sakvelo itself. Here, you can enjoy WINTER experience the best of skiing. Red and black runs are located here and also toboggan and sledge here, or take stretching your ski-legs on very steep and descend from the top of the peak down to a horse drawn sleigh-ride through the difficult red and black runs. Home to dozens of alpine slopes and the mid-level cable car, where blue runs ancient forests. cross-country trails, Bakuriani offers and beginners nursery slopes can be some of the most spectacular skiing found. Didveli and snowboarding in Europe. Originally Didveli, at one of Europe’s highest developed as an Olympic training facility, Kokhta 2 (Tatra) mountains, Mt Sakvelo, has one of the unsurprisingly, Bakuriani became The mountain of Kokhta 2 (2,255 metres most amazing views in any ski resort Georgia’s most popular winter sports and high) is known in Bakuriani as Tatra. The anywhere. 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 perfect locations, among them 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 way 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 at many hotels and shops. With slopes so much quieter, than in Europe, I don’t know why I WINTER haven’t come to Georgia sooner! For a winter like this, join us for the best moments of your life... Travel information Visa Requirements Accommodation Valid passports are required for visitors of all nation- Major cities like Tbilisi and Batumi offer hotels of all alities. Georgia has a liberal visa regime; with visa categories from international four-star, to home-stays. waiver for the citizens of 94 countries for short-term In rural regions accommodation is primarily three-star visits (Not exceeding 90 calendar days in any 180- family hotels, bed and breakfast and home-stays. day period). Cuisine For more information please visit the website of the There are many excellent restaurants in Tbilisi serving Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Af- both traditional Georgian and international cuisine, fairs of Georgia: while restaurants in different regions of the country mainly offer traditional dishes. www.geoconsul.gov.ge/en/visaInformation Climate Getting There The climate of the country is extremely diverse, con- sidering the nation’s small size. The Greater Cau- By air casus Mountain Range plays an important role in Direct flights to Tbilisi are available from Batumi and moderating Georgia’s climate, protecting the nation Kutaisi, as well as from many European and Asian cit- against cold air from the north, while the Lesser Cau- ies. Non-stop flights can be taken from Amsterdam, casus Mountains protect against from the very dry, Munich, Riga, Vienna, Paris, Warsaw, Istanbul, Dubai, hot air from the south. Average temperatures in sum- Tel-Aviv, Baku, Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Kiev, Minsk, mer range from 19 °C to 22 °C, and in winter from Dnipropetrovsk, Alma-Ata, Aktau, Urumqi, Doha, Er- 1.5 °C to 3 °C.