Freeride Skiing in Svaneti
Guided off-piste days on Tetnuldi and Hatsvali, plus remote lines around Ushguli, Mazeri and Shkhara. Small groups, certified local guides, avalanche gear included. Season mid-December to April.
Freeride areas
Off-piste terrain from two ski areas and the valleys around them.
Prefer a whole week? See our 7, 10 and 14-day ski expeditions — 7, 10 or 14 days with IFMGA guides, from €1,548 per person.
Svaneti has two lift-served mountains. Tetnuldi runs from 2,265 m to 3,160 m with open, north-facing alpine bowls and long fall-line descents. Hatsvali sits lower, 1,870 m to 2,347 m, with sheltered tree runs that hold visibility on storm days. Both feed off-piste terrain you reach by lift, short bootpack or transfer.
Beyond the lifts, the guides run lines around Ushguli, the Mazeri–Becho valley under Ushba, and the flanks below Shkhara, Georgia's highest peak at 5,193 m. Groups are four to six skiers. Every day includes an avalanche transceiver, airbag pack, shovel and probe, and a morning snow and weather assessment that sets the plan.
The main freeride mountain. Open alpine bowls, long fall-line descents and dry, north-facing snow. Lift access to wide off-piste on both sides of the ridge.
Lower and sheltered. Tree runs that hold visibility and softer snow on storm days, close to Mestia. Good for storm-day skiing and warm-ups.
Off-piste lines around the highest inhabited village in Europe, reached by transfer or a short skin. Quiet terrain, no crowds.
Steeper descents in the Mazeri–Becho valley under Ushba, and the flanks below Shkhara (5,193 m) for experienced groups.
Guided freeride skiing in Svaneti — Georgia's best off-piste
Svaneti is where freeride skiing in Georgia gets serious. Around Mestia you will find cold, dry Caucasus powder, huge vertical, and terrain that ranges from mellow open bowls to committing steep couloirs — almost all of it empty. We guide small groups off-piste across three main zones: the wide alpine faces of Tetnuldi, the sheltered tree runs of Hatsvali, and the remote, expedition-style lines above Ushguli.
Every freeride day is led by a certified local guide carrying avalanche training and first aid. We provide transceivers, shovels and probes, check the snowpack daily, and choose terrain to match the group and the conditions — never the other way round. Groups are kept small so you get more laps, more fresh snow and more attention.
Who freeride in Svaneti is for
You should be a confident off-piste skier or snowboarder comfortable in variable snow. You do not need to be an expert — we have terrain for strong intermediates stepping into the backcountry as well as steep, technical lines for advanced riders. If you are newer to powder, start with lessons or a mellow day and build up.
Season, snow and logistics
The freeride season runs from mid-December to early April, with February and March typically the most reliable. We supply the safety kit; you bring wide skis or a powder board (or rent from our shop in Mestia). Days start from a warm guesthouse in Mestia, and we handle transfers from Kutaisi, Tbilisi or Zugdidi.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need avalanche experience to join?
No, but you should be a confident off-piste skier or rider. Your guide manages avalanche risk, terrain choice and route-finding, and briefs you on transceiver use. If you have your own avalanche training, even better.
What equipment do I need for freeride in Svaneti?
Bring wide all-mountain or powder skis / a freeride board, and normal ski clothing. We provide the avalanche safety kit (transceiver, shovel, probe). Rental skis, boards and touring gear are available in Mestia.