Duration
8 days
Ski touring & freeriding week in Gudauri, Georgia
Adventure trip to the High Caucasus
Date: 15 - 23 February 2025
Georgia, a fascinating country on the threshold between Europe and Asia, with a diverse culture and breathtaking mountains. The peaks of the High Caucasus rise to over 5,000 metres. Reason enough to pay the country a visit with skis in tow. Our destination is the winter sports resort of Gudauri on the Cross Pass, within sight of the imposing Kazbek, at 5,047 metres the easternmost four-thousand-metre peak in the High Caucasus. However, our focus during the ski touring and freeriding week in Georgia is not on altitude metres, but on collecting as many downhill metres as possible in the Georgian deep snow.
Freeriding in Gudauri, Georgia
Gudauri is our base. The resort lies at an altitude of 2,196 metres and is 120 kilometres from the capital Tbilisi. It is home to Georgia's largest ski resort, which offers 75 kilometres of pistes, four gondola lifts and ten chairlifts. The highest point of the ski area is 3,279 metres above sea level. However, the off-piste terrain, which is directly accessible from the ski area, is particularly attractive. With ascents of fifteen to ninety minutes, you can enjoy descents of up to 2,000 metres in altitude. The number of visitors is limited, especially during the week, and cannot be compared with the well-known hotspots such as the Arlberg. In the extensive terrain, you will almost always find excellent snow and rewarding descents.
But it's not just the ski area itself, but also the surrounding region on the Cross pass and in the direction of Stepantsminda north of Gudauri offers a wide range of ski tours in fantastic terrain, far away from mass tourism. The trip is rounded off with a visit to the vibrant and culturally rich capital Tbilisi which is definitely worth a detour.
Ski touring & freeriding programme Gudauri, Georgia
The flight from Munich to Tbilisi departs late Saturday evening. Arrival in Tbilisi early Sunday morning, then transfer by minibus to Gudauri (approx. 2 hours).
Check-in at the Four-star Hotel GUDAURI INN & Rest break
In the afternoon: short ski tour in the vicinity of the ski area, refreshing avalanche emergency skills and then a drinks reception to get to know each other.
Freeriding & ski touring in and around Gudauri
Depending on the conditions, we use the Gudauri ski area for shorter ascents and long descents into the side valleys. We also go on classic ski tours in the region and discover remote valleys, deep gorges and small villages. The approaches to the ski tours usually take between 15 and 50 minutes.
Tour options:
- Millioni Valley: 500-600 m ascent, 1400 m descent
- Narvani Saddle & Millioni Valley: 850 m ascent, 1800 m descent
- Bidara: 150 m ascent, 700 m descent to the Kreuzpass
- Deda Ena, 950 m ascent, 950 m descent
- Sheli & Mikeli: 900 - 1300 m ascent, 900 - 1300 m descent
- Lomisa Monastery: 750 metres ascent, 750 metres descent
- Arakhveti Forest: 930 metres ascent, 930 metres descent
- Bear Forest: 800 m ascent, 800 m descent
- Kurkuta: 1000 m ascent, 1000 m descent
- Sioni Valley: 1060 metres ascent, 1060 metres descent. Then excursion to Stepantsminda and visit to the Holy Trinity Church in Gergeti at the foot of Mount Kazbek
- Sobertse Pass: 1060 metres ascent, 1060 metres descent.
- Sno: 590 m ascent, 590 m descent
The heliski company "Heliksir" operates in Gudauri and flies to several peaks in the region. Depending on conditions and motivation, we can take advantage of the heliski offer. Price per person and day: € 225,- incl. five flights (not included in the price of the trip)
After a final tour or a shorter freeride day, we set off for Tbilisi in the early afternoon. Afterwards we check in at the Hotel TIFLIS PALACE**** in the old town. We end the evening in one of the many cosy restaurants in Tbilisi's old town.
The airport shuttle picks us up early on Sunday morning and we fly back to Munich.
Changes to the programme are possible at any time due to snow, weather and avalanche conditions.
FACTS
Date
15. - 23.02.2025
Area
Gudauri
Country
Georgia
Difficulty
3/5
medium, 35°
Participants
at least 5, maximum 7 per ski guide
Price
1,890.00 per person
excl. flight
Equipment list
- Backpack (approx. 25-35 l), if available ABS backpack
- Suitable ski touring boots with walking function
- Freeride skis/ski touring skis with bindings and crampons - I recommend skis with a centre width of 95 to 110 mm
- Fitting and well adhering clamping adhesive skins
- Telescopic ski poles
- Modern avalanche transceiver (avalanche transceiver, 3-antenna device) with new batteries*.
- Avalanche probe and avalanche shovel (made of metal)*.
- Helmet (recommended, not a must)
- Clothes suitable for the mountains, a change of dry clothes, 1 litre of liquid, snack / muesli bar, a change of gloves.
*Can be hired if required. Please book in advance! LENDING PRICES
Requirements
The Freeride and ski touring week in Georgia are aimed at people with solid experience in ski touring and freeriding.
Skiing level: Safe skiing in open terrain, off-piste, in changing types of snow and on short steep slopes up to 40 degrees. A safe ascent technique, with crampons if necessary, is a prerequisite.
Endurance: Ski tours with a maximum ascent of 1000 metres in altitude and lasting up to 4-6 hours. Descents of up to 2,000 metres in depth, even in changing types of snow.
That speaks in favour of Gudauri
Dry climate: The inner-Alpine climate preserves the dry powder snow over a longer period of time
AltitudeGudauri is more than 2,000 metres above sea level. This means we can quickly reach the access points to high alpine routes without lengthy ascents through the forest
Good accessibilityGudauri is only two hours away from Tbilisi International Airport
Info about Georgia
Georgiaa fascinating country at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, impresses with its rich history, breathtaking landscapes and cultural diversity. This Eurasian nation, located on the eastern shore of the Black Sea, shares its borders with Russia to the north, Turkey and Armenia to the south and Azerbaijan to the south-east.
The capital Tbilisi, with its charming old town and modern skyline, reflects the cultural blend that makes Georgia so unique. Georgian culture is deeply rooted in over 3,000 years of history, characterised by the influences of the Persians, Ottomans, Mongols and Russians.
Georgia's scenic diversity is breathtaking. From the snow-capped peaks of the Greater Caucasus in the north to the sun-kissed beaches of the Black Sea in the west, the country offers an impressive range of natural beauty. The country is also famous for its numerous wine-growing regions, which are among the oldest in the world.
Georgian cuisine is a feast for the senses. Tasty dishes such as khachapuri (cheese-filled flatbread) and khinkali (Georgian dumplings) invite you to discover the culinary delights. Georgian wine, with its 8,000-year-old tradition, is another highlight for connoisseurs.
Georgia inspires with its unique blend of history, culture, nature and hospitality in the heart of the Caucasus.
Capital city: Tbilisi
Surface area: 69,700 square kilometres (Germany: 357,592 km²)
Population: 3.7 million people. The ethnic diversity reflects the country's rich history.
Official language: Georgian, a unique language with its own script
Currency: Georgian lari (GEL)
The ski touring and freeride week in Gudauri is right for you, if you
- want to pass fancy a week of freeriding & ski touring in the spectacular High Caucasus
- are a sociable person and feel at home in a lively winter sports resort with numerous bars and restaurants
- enjoy long descents and climbing is not the most important thing for you
- have always wanted to go heliskiing
- appreciate the advantages of a four-star hotel
The Ski touring and freeride week in Gudauri is not suitable for you, if you
- are primarily interested in the ascent and as many metres in altitude as possible
- don't like ski resorts and the associated infrastructure
- Can't stand après-ski
-
total ski touring
are a freeride beginner, have no stamina for 4-6 hours of freeriding/touring per day and have very little off-piste experience.
The Ski Touring & Freeriding Week in Gudauri is organised by the VIVALPIN Mountain School GmbH & Co.KG and realised by the Skiing Tegernsee. I am allowed to accompany the trip as a guide.
Accommodation
We are accommodated in extremely cosy & modern lodges in the fishing village of Hamn i Senja. Why in lodges and not in a hotel? Because we want to strengthen the cohesion in the group and the community experience. The positive experiences of the last few years with a great spirit in the team speak for themselves.
Each lodge sleeps six people in three double rooms. All lodges have the following facilities:
- Comfortable double room
- Shower, WC
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Washing Machine & Dryer
- Living room
- A small, shared infrared cabin
CateringWe live in Self-catering-lodges. This means that each lodge is responsible for its own catering. We regularly visit the local supermarket to replenish our supplies. The menu also regularly includes fresh fish, which we buy directly from the fishermen at the harbour. On the day of arrival, we order catering and are spoilt with local delicacies. And if you don't want to cook yourself or eat freshly caught fish, you can walk 100 metres to the neighbouring hotel and enjoy local cuisine at good prices.
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Impressions of freeriding & ski touring in Georgia
Picture credits: Alex Kunert, Dominik Haid
Tariff per person
1.890,00
The tour takes place with a minimum of 5 participants. Maximum 7 people per guide.
Included services
- 7 days guiding with a state-certified ski guide
- 6 nights with half board in a four-star hotel in Gudauri in a double room
- 1 night in a four-star hotel in Tbilisi in a double room
- All transfers and airport shuttle Tbilisi-Gudauri-Tbilisi
- Ski pass for the Gudauri Ski Resort
- Organisation of all tours
- All expenses of the ski guide
Not included
- Flight from/to Tbilisi
- Drinks, lunch, tips, personal expenses
- Dinner on the last day in Tbilisi
- Heliskiing (optional)
- Single room supplement: € 250,00
- Personal equipment (skis, skins, ABS rucksack, etc.)
Booking procedure
Enquiries
Are you interested in the trip? Send us your enquiry by e-mail, enquiry form or give us a call.
Confirmation
We will contact you within 48 hours to let you know if a place is available.
Booking
If you would like to make a firm booking, you will receive a written booking confirmation from us. To finalise the booking, a deposit of 20% of the total price is due. You will receive an invoice from the organisers, Skisportlerei Tegernsee/VIVALPIN Bergschule.
Flights
You should book your flights 2-3 months before your travel date. If you have any questions, we will be happy to help you.
Online briefing
Approximately 2 months before the trip, we will organise an online meeting to clarify any open questions and provide you with more detailed information about the itinerary.
Final payment
The final payment is due 30 days before the trip.
Let's go!
The skiing adventure in Georgia begins.
The contractual relationship shall be governed exclusively by our here available and forming an integral part of this offer. Booking confirms that you have received, read and accepted these General Terms and Conditions.