Spring ski touring in Svaneti - Georgia Ski Touring

HIGHER INTO THE CAUCASUS

Svaneti’s 3,000-metre peaks in spring.

Spring opens a different side of Svaneti: longer touring days and routes towards high passes, glacial terrain and valleys that can be difficult to reach in midwinter. From our base in Mestia, we explore the mountains around the town, choosing each day’s route for the snow, weather and group.

The programme takes us into terrain at approximately 2,000–4,000 metres, with the great Caucasus peaks forming the backdrop. Tetnuldi can provide access to higher touring terrain when the lifts and conditions allow. The emphasis is on mountain tours and good decisions, with objectives adapted throughout the week.

This is an advanced programme for experienced ski tourers. You need good to very good fitness, confident skiing in varied off-piste snow and experience of consecutive touring days with around 1,200–1,600 metres of ascent. Familiarity with avalanche equipment and procedures is also important. Share your experience with us so the team can assess whether the week suits you.

Spring in the high Caucasus

Explore higher passes and remote valleys when spring access and snow conditions allow. Routes are chosen each day for the group and the mountains.

Five guided touring days

Make the most of five included mountain days, with around 1,200–1,600 metres of daily ascent. Day seven offers rest, independent skiing or an extra guided tour.

A local team and small groups

Local mountain guides work with a maximum of six participants per guide, adapting the pace and objectives to the conditions and group.

Mestia as your base

Return to a guesthouse, a warm meal and Svaneti’s traditional mountain town after each day. Join the land programme in Kutaisi and arrange your own flights.

Your base in Mestia

Stay in comfortable guesthouse accommodation with private bathrooms. Mestia is our base for the mountain days: a Svaneti town where traditional stone towers stand beneath the Caucasus peaks.

The land programme includes seven nights. The final night may be in Mestia or Kutaisi, depending on the agreed flight and transfer arrangements. Breakfast and dinner are included, with packed lunches on the five guided tour days.

Day by day

The five guided touring days are deliberately flexible. We choose routes according to snow stability, weather, access and the group’s ability, rather than promise a particular summit. Daily ascent is usually around 1,200–1,600 metres, adjusted to the conditions.

Day 1 · Kutaisi to Mestia

Meet our team in Kutaisi and travel into the mountains to Mestia. The transfer takes approximately five hours, depending on road conditions and the agreed arrival arrangements.

Settle into your guesthouse and take time to rest after the journey. The team will discuss the touring programme and check the arrangements for the days ahead.

Days 2–6 · Spring tours around Mestia

After breakfast, head out with the local mountain guides for five days of ski touring in the wider Mestia area. Travel by vehicle to the starting points; where the snowline is higher, the approach may continue on foot, with horse support where appropriate and arranged by the team.

Explore high passes, glacial terrain and remote valleys, with possible routes towards Svaneti’s 3,000-metre peaks. Each day’s ascent, terrain and descent are chosen for snow stability, weather, access and the group’s ability. Expect around 1,200–1,600 metres of ascent on the touring days, adjusted when conditions require.

Return to Mestia for dinner and recovery. No particular summit or snow conditions are guaranteed.

Day 7 · Rest day or an extra tour

Take a rest day in Mestia or ski independently at Hatsvali or Tetnuldi if conditions and lift operations allow. Guiding, transport and ski passes for this free day are not included.

If the group would like another mountain day, an additional guided tour can be arranged separately, subject to conditions and guide availability. A visit or extension to Ushguli is also optional and must be agreed and quoted in advance.

The final night is in Mestia or Kutaisi, depending on the agreed departure arrangements.

Day 8 · Departure from Kutaisi

Transfer to Kutaisi airport at the agreed time. If you have spent the final night in Mestia, allow time for the mountain drive before your flight.

The land programme ends in Kutaisi. International flights and onward travel are arranged separately by you.

Two April weeks in the high Caucasus.

Experience spring ski touring in Svaneti, beneath some of the highest peaks of the Caucasus. Longer days, ambitious climbs and sweeping descents offer a rewarding adventure for experienced ski tourers, with the chance to enjoy smooth spring snow. Return to Mestia after each mountain day for hearty Georgian food and warm local hospitality.

Dates	Price	Booking
03.04.2027 – 10.04.2027	~~1,498 €~~ 1,398 € Apply before 15.11.2026	Enquire →
10.04.2027 – 17.04.2027	~~1,498 €~~ 1,398 € Apply before 15.11.2026	Enquire →

Prices are per person. Early booking applies to applications submitted before 15 November 2026. Our team confirms places, suitability and travel arrangements.

Enquire about your dates →

Included

Scheduled arrival and departure transfers between Kutaisi airport and Mestia, with flight times agreed in advance.
Local transport to the starting points for the five included guided tours.
Seven nights of guesthouse accommodation with private bathrooms; the final night may be in Mestia or Kutaisi depending on the return arrangements.
Breakfast and dinner, with packed lunches on the five included guided tour days.
Five guided ski touring days with local mountain guides, with routes adapted to the conditions and group.
Ski lift passes when required for the included guided programme.
A maximum of six participants per guide.
Trip organisation, local support in Mestia and help preparing for the week.

Not included & optional extras

International flights, airline baggage charges and travel to your departure airport.
Personal ski touring equipment and avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel; rental is extra and must be arranged in advance.
Guiding on the optional sixth ski day.
Transport and ski passes for independent skiing at Hatsvali or Tetnuldi outside the included guided programme.
Optional Ushguli trips or extensions, private transfers and other activities outside the agreed programme.
Single-room supplements, quoted separately on request.
Drinks, meals outside those listed, tips and personal expenses.
Travel insurance and suitable mountain rescue cover.
Anything not specifically listed as included.

Travel and equipment

The land programme begins and ends in Kutaisi. Arrange your own international flights and send us your proposed arrival and departure times before booking. We will check how they fit with the scheduled transfers; private transfers are an extra.

The road journey between Kutaisi and Mestia takes approximately five hours, depending on conditions. Your return transfer and whether the final night is in Mestia or Kutaisi are agreed with our team.

Bring touring skis, compatible boots and bindings, skins, poles, suitable mountain clothing and an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel. Discuss any additional equipment needed for high mountain or glacial terrain with us before travelling. Rental is not included; contact us early to check availability and receive a quotation.

Arrange insurance appropriate for ski touring in Georgia, including mountain rescue and the altitude of the planned routes. Check the activity and altitude limits of your policy before travel.

Questions & answers

Who is this spring tour for?

Experienced ski tourers with good to very good fitness and confident off-piste skiing in varied snow. You should be used to consecutive touring days with around 1,200–1,600 metres of ascent and familiar with avalanche equipment and procedures. Tell us about your experience so the team can assess suitability.

If you are new to ski touring, take a look at our beginner ski touring camp.

How many guided ski days are included?

Five guided ski touring days are included, on days two to six. Day seven is free: you can rest, ski independently or arrange a sixth guided tour for an additional charge. Any extra guiding, transport and ski passes are confirmed separately.

Will we reach a 3,000-metre summit?

The programme explores high mountain terrain and possible objectives around Svaneti’s 3,000-metre peaks. Exact routes and summit attempts depend on weather, snow stability, access and the group. We do not guarantee a specific summit, route or snow conditions.

Can we visit Ushguli?

A visit or extension to Ushguli may be possible as an optional extra, depending on access, conditions and the group. It is not included in the standard price and must be agreed and quoted separately.

Are flights included?

This is a land-only tour, starting and finishing in Kutaisi. You arrange your own international flights. Send us the proposed times before booking so we can confirm scheduled transfer arrangements or quote a private transfer.

What equipment do I need?

Bring touring skis, compatible boots and bindings, skins, poles, suitable mountain clothing, and an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel. Discuss additional equipment for the planned high mountain or glacial routes with us before travelling. Rental is an extra and should be arranged in advance.

Plan your spring touring week.

Choose your April week and tell us about your touring experience, usual daily ascent, off-piste skiing ability and group size. Share your flight plans too. We will discuss suitability, check places and confirm your land-only arrangements.

info@georgiaskitouring.com

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