Ski Touring in Svaneti Georgia
Day 1: Kutaisi – Becho valley in Svaneti, accommodation in Mazeri village. Around 5h of driving total.
Day 2: We put the skins from the front door and climb the peak of Datsil (2578 m) and descend back to Mazeri or down to the village of Etseri at 1500 m through beautiful breech forests. Second night at the same place.
Day 3: We skin up to Guli Pass at 3000 m., +1500 of ascent. The route up to Guli pass will take us right below the prominent Ushba peak. Afterwards a long descent following the route of the climb will take us back to Mazeri village. Accommodation in Mestia, the capital of Svaneti, after a short transfer.
Day 4: We`ll be transferred by 4×4 machines to the local ski resort of Tetnuldi. Depending on the snow conditions and our preferences we`ll take the lifts for a 1st run to warm up or skin up to a nearby peak, then ski down to Zhabeshi or Adishi village. Transfer back to Tetnuldi, we`ll get the chair lift up and ski down to the village of Adishi. Transfer to the highest permanently inhabited settlement in the area – the village of Ushguli at 2200 m, accommodation.
Day 5: A full day in Ushguli area. We start straight from our accommodation with a day of ski touring along the border massif between Upper and Lower Svaneti that has several valleys with peaks between 2900 and 3200m. The day starts with an entertaining ski run through the village to its lowest point where our ascent starts. A 1000m climb to one of the passes between Upper and Lower Svaneti. Ski back to Ushguli with an option for an extra climb. Accommodation in the same guest house in Ushguli.
Day 6: A half day of ski touring and a transfer back to Mestia. We will do another ski route right next to Ushguli – we will skin up the nearby peak that offers a 800m climb, with good skiing down and a stunning view towards the highest peak of Georgia – Skhara (5 193m). Afterwards we head back to Mestia for accommodation.
Day 7: Depending on the flights the next day:
1) Half day of ski touring near Mestia (Koruldi/Chaaladi) and 5hrs drive down to Kutaisi for a night in the town and early flight.
2) Day ski tour to Laila pass. Short transfer from Mestia to Tskhumari village and 1400 of ascent and descent on the slopes of Mount Laila. Drive to Kutaisi on the next day.
Day 8: Departure.
