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 equally impressive and recent, continuing upgrades and investments mean that our traditional With fresh powder every day and resorts of Gudauri and Bakuriani are equal to international standards 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 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 the 2.6km red run (if your nerves and skill mountains. the threat of invasion. can take it), or the gentler blue run if you want Mestia to take it easy. And when you’re not skiing, enjoy the shops, WINTER Surrounded by mighty 5,000 metre peaks It’s not surprising that Svaneti has always bars and restaurants of Mestia, including the and Europe’s highest mountain, Mt Elbrus been a popular summertime holiday A beginners slope completes the area so local ice rink. (5,642 metres), Mestia is a skiers dream, destination, but nowadays most tourists that skiiers of every level can enjoy one of the situated in the heart of Svaneti, one of are looking to the mountains, not to the world’s most picturesque resorts. Mestia Museum is a treasure trove of Georgia’s most historic and unique areas. valleys. exquisite icons and artefacts gathered As the resort grows and develops, we also from Svaneti’s many remote churches and Until recently, Svaneti was best known for its Our brand new, high-speed quad lifts enable offer unique ski-tours, one or two-day trips villages, preserved in this natural mountain superb house-towers, most of them dating skiers to reach the 2,350 metre peak in total to take you to places never skied before, fortress from centuries of pillagers. back to the 12-13th centuries which line the speed and comfort, all ready to experience including overnight stays in the high 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 experts will want to sample some of the beginners of all ages. But even advanced most challenging off-peak slopes in Eu- Cross Country skiing skiers can improve their skiing with a Gudauri rope. The remote valleys and untouched foot- fresh lesson every now and then. Located in the very heart of the Caucasus hills around Gudauri offer exceptional Skiing cross-country skiing, just a short distance Ski Rental Mountains, surrounded by some of Eu- 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 through ski In addition, the surrounding mountains out of the area and to explore the thrill of schools, local outfitters and hotels. Only a short drive – and a shorter helicop- are a haven for cross-country and off-piste fresh virgin snow. Rescue and First Aid ter flight – from Tbilisi, Gudauri is Geor- skiers. Heli-skiing gia’s year-round playground. All of Gudauri’s ski areas are patrolled Gudauri’s ski runs are a total of 57 km, Gudauri has some of the finest high- by experienced ski rescue and first-aid During the ski season, from December to with its longest run over 5km in length. altitude powder in Europe, offering vir- teams. Emergency helicopter evacuation mid-April, Gudauri offers a full work-out Modern three and four-seat chairlifts tually unrestricted access up to 4,200 to Tbilisi is also available. for all levels of skiiers and boarders. True transport skiers up to the Kudebi Moun- metres. Our fleet of helicopters transport recreation destination. 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 is Located at 1,700 metres in the Borjomi through beautiful snowy forests. Twenty-five is an area of easy skiing located around 4km long. region of Georgia, Bakuriani is nestled in on the Circular, near the old 25 metre the shadows of the breathtaking Caucasus Kokhtagora ski-jump which gives the area its name. Advanced skiers can continue further up Mountains, only a three-hour drive from Kokhtagora is located at an altitude of Here beginners and children can learn to the mountain by catching a chairlift at the Tbilisi. Bakuriani is the place for the world’s 2,155 metres and is served by a two- ski in a safe and pleasant environment, top of the gondola to almost the very top skiiers to gather and experience the best seat chair lift and 2 drag lifts, the Bugels. surrounded by the might Caucasus of Mt Sakvelo itself. Here, you can enjoy WINTER in skiing. Red and black runs are located here and mountains. You can also toboggan and stretching your ski-legs on very steep and descend from the top of the peak down to sledge here, or take a horse drawn sleigh- difficult red and black runs. Home to dozens of alpine slopes and the mid-level cable car, where blue runs ride through the 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 on the unsurprisingly, Bakuriani is Georgia’s The mountain of Kokhta 2 (2,255 metres most amazing views in any ski resort 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 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. 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 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.