Ski touring trip
GEORGIA
GUDAURI
Südtirolalpin
Certified Mountain Guide
IFMGA - Mountain Guides Associations
Mail suedtirolalpin@gmail.com
Prices from
2.900,- €
Travel time
10 days
ABOUT THE TRIP
Between the wide slopes of Gudauri and the big objective on Mount Kazbek, this ski touring journey grows day by day into something truly special.
10 days
Our ski touring trip to Georgia takes us to the freeride mecca around Gudauri, which, alongside a magnificent mountain landscape with numerous 3,000-metre peaks, also promises reliable snow cover well into May. Gudauri already sits at over 2,000 metres above sea level and could hardly be better located as a base. No trees, just wide open ski slopes shape the character of this region.
With our local guide Anatoly on site, who knows the area as a mountain guide better than almost anyone else, we acclimatise through plenty of descent metres and superb ski tours to the surrounding summits for the second part of this journey. Not far to the north, in less than an hour’s drive, lies Stepantsminda, a small mountain village at the foot of the easternmost five-thousander in the Caucasus: the 5,054-metre-high Mount Kazbek.
Over several stages and mountain huts, we make our way towards this great ski mountain and, as the highlight of the trip, hopefully stand together on the summit. It is one of Georgia’s most famous mountains and an ideal finale to a ski touring journey in a country that is culturally and scenically unique, with incredibly friendly people.
HIGHLIGHTS
✧ Ski touring and freeriding in Gudauri with a base at over 2,000 metres and – thanks to the special climate – known for powder snow that can linger especially long in the dry high-alpine air.
✧ Georgia is a country known for its hospitality and rich culture – and you feel exactly that very quickly on this trip.
✧ Delicious local specialities in the wonderful accommodation in Gudauri, which just so happens to be run by our mountain guide on site.
✧ Accommodation in twin rooms and with a sauna at the hotel – not an entirely unimportant point after long days in the snow.
✧ An international mountain and ski guide from Georgia, who grew up in Gudauri and knows the area better than almost anyone else.
✧ Change over to the Kazbek region and ascent of the easternmost 5,000-metre peak in the Greater Caucasus, Mount Kazbek.
✧ End of the trip with a shared evening in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia.
INFO
Services
Included in the price
- The mountain guide will handle all organization, planning, bookings, and reservations in advance.
- Professional on-site guiding by a state-certified mountain guide from South Tyrol and a local ski guide from Georgia.
- Guide fees (for groups of 5 or more, with 2 mountain guides from South Tyrol).
- All accommodations (hotel with half board).
- All transfers in Georgia.
- Guide expenses (travel and accommodations).
Additional costs
- Flight to Tbilisi
- Personal expenses for food and drinks outside of the half-board option
- Tips for our guides in Georgia
- Any additional costs resulting from necessary program changes (additional transfers or hotel nights)
- Single room where available (approx. €200 supplement, exact offer upon request)
Facts
Location
Georgia - Gudauri
Best time of year
March - April
Duration
10 days
Meeting point
Tbilisi - Georgia
Requirements
For Gudauri:
- Ascents of 1,000–1,500 meters of elevation gain for most of the trip
- Several years of experience in classic ski touring
For Mount Kazbek:
- Experience in high-altitude ski touring (ski touring on glaciers) in the Western Alps is required, as well as the fitness for 1,900 meters of elevation gain (3,200 meters of descent)
- Anyone seriously aiming for the summit of Mount Kazbek needs to be well-acclimatized before traveling to Georgia
- A head for heights, sure-footedness, and a solid kick-turn technique are essential
- Skiing on groomed slopes (parallel turns) should be no problem to ensure safe skiing in deep snow
Documents
- Valid passport (valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay)
- No entry visa required for citizens of EU member states
- Proof of insurance: Health and accident insurance with coverage of approximately €10,000 is mandatory. Proof must be presented upon entry in English or Georgian (digital or printed).
PRICING
Participants
5-8 people
Smaller groups or individual tour guides available upon request
5 or more people with a second mountain guide
Prices
1-4 people:
5 or more people:
on request
2,900€
* The price is for guidance only.
Depending on availability, season, individual preferences, and current market prices at the time of booking, the final price of your trip may vary.
If you have any questions or need further information, please write them in the comment field of the inquiry form.
Before submitting your request: Please read the "important information" about risks in mountaineering carefully.
Dates:
upon request
PROGRAM
Day 1: Arrival in Gudauri
Landing in Tbilisi, followed by a transfer to Gudauri with a journey time of around 2.5 hours. After the journey, we arrive in peace and settle into our hotel in Gudauri.
Day 2–5: Freeride and ski touring
Four days of ski touring and freeriding in Gudauri. Our local guide Anatoly will show us the best freeride options and the finest ski tours to the many 3,000-metre peaks around Gudauri. He is at home here, works as a mountain and ski guide, and knows the mountains, the snow, and the whole area better than almost anyone else. On the last of these days, depending on how we feel, we may do a shorter ski tour in the morning before making the change of area with a transfer to Stepantsminda in the late afternoon. Overnight stays are first at the hotel in Gudauri, then at the hotel in Stepantsminda.
Day 6: Ascent to Altihut
From Stepantsminda, we ascend to Altihut at around 3,000 metres. With 1,250 metres of ascent, this is already a solid day stage. If that is not enough, an acclimatisation tour to the Ortsveri Pass with a descent down to Altihut can be added. In the hut, newly built in 2018, we enjoy pretty much the standard we are used to from huts in the Alps.
Walking time: 5.5 hrs | ↑ 1,250 m
⌂ Altihut (3,000 m)
Day 7: Onward to Betleemi Hut
From Altihut, the next stage continues to Betleemi Hut at 3,650 metres. Now things become noticeably more rustic, and we can expect less comfort and warmth. Anyone wishing to shorten the stay at this hut can add a longer day stage up to the Ortsveri Saddle.
Total ascent: ↑ 650 m
⌂ Betleemi Hut (3,650 m)
Day 8: Ski tour on Kazbek
From Betleemi Hut, we head through demanding terrain and across impressive glacier fields, with crevasses, to the summit of Mount Kazbek, one of Georgia’s most famous mountains. If everything comes together – weather, conditions, and the fitness and acclimatisation of the participants – this summit will be the crowning finale of our trip to Georgia. If the summit of Kazbek is not possible, we have the option of climbing the more than 4,500-metre-high Mount Spartak. And simply visiting this region and travelling through this impressive mountain world is already a highlight in itself. Afterwards, we ski an impressive 3,300 vertical metres down from the summit to Stepantsminda, where we will spend another night.
Total time: ↑ 1,400 m | ↓ 3,300 m | Difficulty: WS+, up to 40°
Day 9: Tbilisi to round things off
Our last full day in Georgia. Today we travel back via Gudauri to Tbilisi, where we bring our stay as guests in this wonderful country to a close. We spend the evening together over a good dinner in Georgia’s capital.
Day 10: Departure
From the airport in Tbilisi, we travel back home – with many wonderful impressions and experiences in our luggage.
Info: The ascent of Mount Kazbek is our Plan A. Although in summer the mountain counts among the easier 5,000-metre peaks, in winter this high summit often shows its more forbidding side. Storms, precipitation, and poor conditions can make an ascent impossible. So it also takes a bit of luck to catch a suitable weather window during these days. If the summit is not possible, we have a coherent Plan B with additional tour options in Gudauri and in the Kazbek area.
Sounds good, but not perfect?
No problem: This is just an idea of how the program for trip could look like. The duration can be extended or shortened as desired. I would be happy to put together a customized itinerary for you or a group, tailored entirely to your ideas and wishes.
Simply send us a non-binding inquiry using the form above.
Any changes to the travel program that may be necessary for various reasons (weather, conditions, accommodation booking situation, etc.) will always be made in consultation with the participants.
DESTINATION FACTS
Georgia
Population: 3,700,000
Area: 69,700 km²
Currency: Lari (GEL)
Language: Georgian
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - (FAQs)
Who is this ski touring trip suitable for?
The trip is designed for strong ski tourers who can move well for several days in a row and bring solid fitness for the big objective on Mount Kazbek. The days in Gudauri help with acclimatisation, but the trip as a whole still remains demanding.
What happens if Mount Kazbek is not possible?
Then we have a Plan B. If weather or conditions do not allow a summit attempt, we will instead do more beautiful tours in Gudauri or in the Kazbek area. So even without the summit, the trip remains a powerful experience.
What equipment do I need for the trip?
You will receive the detailed packing list with the confirmation email. Naturally, important items are your ski touring equipment and suitable clothing for cold days at high altitude. Missing equipment, such as crampons if required, can be rented from the mountain guides for a small wear fee.
