Freeride in Gudauri and Goderdzi in 7 Days

What the Program Includes

The trip lasts seven days and is split into three parts:

• 2-3 days of riding in Gudauri;
• one day for the transfer between resorts;
• 3-4 days of riding in Goderdzi.

The exact split depends on the group, the forecast and snow conditions. Three days in Gudauri and three in Goderdzi suit those who want to try both places equally. Two days in Gudauri and four in Goderdzi are a better pick for riders who are more interested in forest, open fields and ski touring. The programs of the two resorts can be mixed quite freely, so the format adapts to the riders’ level and wishes.

Gudauri: The First Days

The trip starts in Gudauri. It is about 2.5-3 hours from Tbilisi along the Georgian Military Road, and with an early departure you can be on the slope in the first half of the day. This part is built around the freeride camp in Gudauri or a format close to the two-day program in Gudauri.

The resort is a very good place to start. There are groomed runs and off-piste descents, the slopes have almost no large rocks or uneven spots, and the avalanche situation is calmer than in many other places. The first days go to getting used to the snow, showing your technique to the guide and learning the terrain. Confident riders who want a serious workload can look at the Gudauri and Ortsveri program. In it, ski touring days and the ascent of Ortsveri take 6-10 hours and gain up to 1,000-1,200 meters of elevation per day. In the combined trip such a route is possible by arrangement and only if the whole group is in good physical shape. For regular guided freeride, confident riding on groomed runs is enough.

Guide support in the club’s programs includes avalanche training and terrain analysis. A beacon, probe and shovel are provided for the duration of the tour, so bringing your own set is optional.

Transfer Day

A separate day is set aside for moving between the resorts. The road takes a good part of the day, so no riding is planned. It gives you a chance to catch up on sleep, dry your gear, check your bindings and get ready for the new place. Preparation matters most for Goderdzi, because the last section of the road in winter can only be covered by snowcat or special transport. The ride from the foot of the mountain to the hotel on the pass takes about an hour, and the climb itself becomes a small adventure of its own.

Goderdzi: The Second Half of the Week

In Goderdzi the program follows the pattern of the standalone freeride tour in Goderdzi. On the first day the group rides in the forest near the resort, and the guide gets to know the participants and watches their technique. Toward evening there is an avalanche safety training: participants search for a victim and then take that role themselves. In the evening there is a talk about the basics of reading terrain, avalanche types and mountains in general.

Then the main part begins. The start is planned from the pass, and the group descends through fields and forest to the back side of the resort, making about three runs a day. Days end with a ride through the forest near the hotel, and a sauna waits in the evening. On one of the days you can take a snowcat up to the pass and make about four runs across the resort’s very wide fields. Those who prefer can also hike up to the pass on foot.

Ski touring in Goderdzi stands out for its varied terrain. The approach to the start of the route takes about 2-3 hours, and the reward is places that regular riders never reach.

Freeride, Ski Touring or Cat Skiing

The second half of the week can be built in three ways:

• classic guided freeride;
• freeride with one or two ski touring days;
• a day on the snowcat, also known as cat skiing.

Cat skiing means a full day on the snowcat and about five runs. This option is paid separately from the main program. If some participants want more extreme riding and others prefer a calmer pace, the format is easy to adjust for both, since the guide plans each day around the weather and the group’s preparation.