Skitouring and Freeride in Bakhmaro
Freeride in Bakhmaro
Why Bakhmaro?
A week-long freeride in Bakhmaro program in a remote region of Georgia, where incredible amounts of snow start falling from late November. This is where you can check weather forecasts and realize that up to half a meter of snow can fall overnight. This is where the juiciest snow forecasts are, showing 33mm in 4 hours. Bakhmaro has the most interesting lines for freeriding. Approaches for descents take a maximum of 2 hours, making the ski touring program in Bakhmaro diverse and packed – you can do about 2 or 3 runs per day.
What to Bring and How to Get to Bakhmaro?
For the freeride tour and ski touring in Bakhmaro, as a tourist skier, you’ll need the following gear and items:
- Avalanche gear – essential to have an avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe for safety in case of an avalanche. This basic kit should always be at hand in your backpack.
- Clothing and equipment – waterproof and warm clothing, helmet, goggles or mask for protection from snow and wind. It’s also good to have spare gloves, socks, and replacement accessories.
- Ski touring gear – skis or splitboard with bindings, skins for ascents, and lightweight poles.
- Additional gear – first aid kit, flashlight, compass or GPS, thermos and snacks, power bank.
- Transport and logistics – transfer from Tbilisi by minivan, then by snowcat. Overnight in Kutaisi possible en route. Transport organized by PVD Club team.
Bakhmaro Freeride Tour Program
Day 1
Departure from Tbilisi/Kutaisi. Road trip about 6 hours. Then transfer to snowcat. 2 hours on the serpentine road by snowcat.
Evening introductions. Dinner.
Day 2
Breakfast. Head out on the route. Warm up in the group. Assess overall pace. Group introductions. Easy route for the first day.
Snack, hot tea. Dinner in the evening.
Day 3
Breakfast. Exit to a medium-difficulty route. About 2-3 descents per day. Approach to the route 2-3 hours.
Evening spent reviewing videos and materials on avalanche safety. Dinner.
Day 4
First half of the day: avalanche safety training and practice. Second half: head out on an easy route. Evening sauna and bath.
Day 5
Rest day, review avalanche safety materials, ski touring life hacks.
Day 6
Early start on the route. 4-hour approach. 2 freeride descents, routes of above-average difficulty.
Day 7
Departure day. Transfer by snowcat and minivan to Kutaisi/Tbilisi.
Freeride and ski tour in Bakhmaro
IMPORTANT TO KNOW
A mandatory 50% prepayment of the tour cost is required for booking.
Prepayment refund is made if you cancel the tour at least 10 days before the start.
If you cancel less than 10 days before, the prepayment is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Freeride program in bakhmaro
- Transfer from Tbilisi and back
- Cottage accommodation
- Avalanche safety kit (beacon/probe/shovel) – optional rental
- Snowcat transfer to/from Bakhmaro
- Radio set for the group – optional rental
- Professional photo set
- Ski-touring kit (snowshoes – optional rental)
- Professional freeride guide services
- Group meals (cooked at the cottage)
- Trail snacks and hot drinks on the route
