Overall Rating

Cat Skiing Bakhmaro

Cat Skiing Bakhmaro5/519
Cat Skiing Bakhmaro5 out of 5 based on 19 reviews
  • Recommend
    100%
  • Would Revisit
    100%
Ovit Mountain Snowmobile & Cat Skiing
Cat Skiing Bakhmaro Enquire
Price p/p From price based on 7 nights in a budget (Base) twin or triple share base guesthouse room in low season.
Base/invoice currency is in Euro ex taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 2,592

GUIDED BACKCOUNTRY CAT SKIING
8 Days | 7 Nights | 6 Days Cat Skiing

Location: Europe | Tour Focus: Guided | Terrain Focus: Backcountry
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Price p/p From price based on 7 nights in a budget (Base) twin or triple share base guesthouse room in low season.
Base/invoice currency is in Euro ex taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 2,592
The ultimate European cat-skiing experience at Bakhmaro in Georgia. Includes airport transfers, 7 nights accommodation in the traditional village of Bakhmaro, all meals plus 6 days of cat skiing in the snowiest part of the Caucasus ....
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Custom Booking Period: Dec 02 - Apr 06, 2024
Min Days: From 8
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Bakhmaro Cat Skiing & Snowboard Packages

Overview

Cat Skiing Bakhmaro is one of Europe's newest & best ski adventures. Located in the Caucasus of southwestern Georgia at the remote village of Bakhmaro, the closest major Georgian cities are Kutaisi & Batumi.

Packages (either Pioneers - standard or budget) include return airport transfers, 7 nights of accommodation in the traditional village of Bakhmaro at the newly built 'Pioneers' Lodge (standard) or mountain cabin (budget), all meals at Bakhmaro plus 6 days of fully guided cat skiing. For more information on how a week at Bakhmaro works, see the Itinerary page.

The main cat-ski season runs from mid-December to early March. In mid to late March, the tours are snowcat supported ski-touring/splitboarding. For these cat/tour weeks see the Cat Ski & Tour Bakhmaro page.

Snow & Terrain

The location of Bakhmaro in the "Lesser Caucasus" is relatively close to the Black Sea and chosen specifically for its combination of awesome terrain and deep winter snow pack. The proximity of the sea to the high peaks of around 2,700m provides abundant moisture, and when combined with cold temperatures, deep powder from December to early March. We can personally attest to the incredible depth of snow at Bakhmaro.

The terrain includes great tree skiing & high alpine terrain between 1,900m and over 2,700m elevation in the snow laden Little Caucasus of southern Georgia. High levels of snowfall, especially at the beginning of the season provide generally excellent conditions. Tree runs with names like "Big in Japan' indicate the quality of the ski experience here. The numbers of return clientele are another indicator!

Lodging & Food

From season 21/22, accommodations at Bakhmaro are in either in a newly built lodge called 'The Pioneers' or (for a lesser fee) in a mountain guesthouse with shared or bunk rooms called 'Base'. The Pioneers Lodge has 10 twin & triple rooms with modern ensuite bathrooms, a large living and dining space plus sauna. Food is a highlight of any trip to Bakhmaro. The guesthouse accommodation provides a more rustic Bakhmaro experience, but one could argue its aythenticity adds, rather detracts from the experience All meals are included and, regardless of where you are staying (Pioneers or Base), no one goes home disappointed. For more information, see the Lodging & Food page.

More adventurous expert freeriders can opt to stay in the Adjara Wolfsbed Alpine Hut and explore more remote terrain. Check out Adjara Cat Ski Packages here.

Experience & Ability

The operators try to put together homogeneous groups. Please help them by defining your main interests and your ski/board skills and please be honest about it. Don't overestimate your skills, especially if you have limited freeride experience. To be able to ride safely in a remote area like the Lesser Caucasus, riders need really advanced freeride skills to ride all types of snow (including hard and wet snow). You have to have the strength to climb out of a stream bed or dig yourself out of deep snow. Last, but not least, you need the necessary self-confidence to occasionally ski on fast or steep slopes.

In order to put groups together as homogeneously as possible, there are 3 defined types:
RIDE - Sporty riders who ski/board a lot and don't want to wait - let's say experts.
EXPERIENCE - Freeriders who are safe in any terrain, but also appreciate the Caucasus experience - advanced .
BACKCOUNTRY - Freeriders who always carry skins with them in their rucksacks and are happy to accept ascents of up to 500 meters in altitude in order to reach extraordinary lines.

Those who book first define the focus of the group. Later bookings must correspond to the group focus.

Getting There

For more information on how to get to Georgia & the gateway airport of Kutaisi (KUT), see our Bakhmaro & Adjara Location page. You will be met at the airport by the cat ski hosts for transport to Bakhmaro by minivan and snowcat.

Snowcats

The Bakhmaro cat ski operation uses up to 3 modern SnowCats, plus several in reserve. Each have a maximum of 12 seats for guests.

Safety

The operation is run by a reliable and professionalism German-Swiss organization, where quality and safety management is paramount.

Tour groups are led by a local guide from the professional Georgian Mountain Guides Association, overseen by professional mountain guides from the Alps.

Here is a little video of the Cat Skiing Bakhmaro experience from the early days courtesy of whitehearts,de ......

Typical Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival (Saturday or Friday depending on flights to Kutaisi)

Arrival Kutaisi (KUT) airport in Georgia. Pick up at the airport & transfer to Bakhmaro (2 hours with the minibus and then 1.5 hours with the Snowcat). [There may be an overnight stay in the vicinity of the airport required depending on your flight arrival.]

Day 2 - Induction & Skiing/Snowboarding

An easy start in the morning & a group brunch & introductions. Safety briefing & start skiing around noon.

Days 3 to 7 - Cat Skiing Full Days

Cat Skiing in the mountains around Bakhmaro. Bakhmaro valley is at over 1,900m. Above 2,100m, the mountains are tree-free. The summits able to be reached are 2,500 to 2,755m. However, the higher elevations are often wind-blown. The skiing is usually between 1,800 and 2,300 meters. The individual runs are between 300 & 500m vertical in altitude. Depending on the area, the length of the run & the condition of the participants, 10 runs per day is possible with an average group in good weather.

Cat Skiing Bakhmaro Package
Cat Skiing Bakhmaro Package
Cat Skiing Bakhmaro Package

Day 8 - Departure (Saturday)

After breakfast transfer to the airport. [If due to the weather situation, the transfer has already been carried out the previous evening, overnight is then near the airport.] Departure Kutaisi (KUT).

Options

Option to spent the last night in Kutaisi and/or to extend the stay and visit Tbilisi or the Greater Caucasus. Ask for more information.

Bakhmaro Lodging & Food

Cat skiing packages at Bakhmaro now come with two potential accommodation types - Pioneers or Base. Accommodation at the Pioneers Lodge is limited to two cat ski groups, so get in early.....

Accommodations

Bakhmaro is an isolated village in winter (hence the 1½hr transfer by snowcat from the nearest road). Accommodation has changed alot since the first days of operation. In its first season, Cat Skiing Bakhmaro was based in two rather spartan local village huts. Whilst it added to the adventure, the challenges were great & the comfort was ....... not! From season 2017/18, a heavily modified cabin and a purpose built ablutions block was successfully utilised. Thankfully, a newly constructed, multi-storey lodge called 'The Pioneers' (more like a hotel!) has been completed for season 2021/22.

All 10 rooms in 'The Pioneers' lodge have a modern ensuite bathroom, a balcony and come in twin or triple bed configuration. A small number of rooms have double beds, but one needs to specifically request them. Meals are taken in a shared lounge & dining room large enough for all guests to enjoy the fantastic cuisine. A sauna is located in the basement.

Cat Skiing Bakhmaro Accommodation
Cat Skiing Bakhmaro Accommodations
Cat Skiing Bakhmaro Lodging

A 'base' option is available in bunk room lodgings at the previous main lodge & other village houses. The houses are rustic, but provide a comfortable stay for a more affordable price. See the photos below.

Cat Skiing Bakhmaro Budget Accommodation, bunkroom
Cat Skiing Bakhmaro Budget Accommodation
Cat Skiing Bakhmaro Budget Accommodation, living room

Food

Full board with an extensive breakfast, a simple lunch snack and a Georgian dinner is provided whilst at Bakhmaro. Due to the remote location , the supply of fresh goods is only partly possible, however, given the challenges, the quality of the meals is unparalleled. A local team of chefs and kitchen helpers prepare the food fresh every day.

Georgian cuisine is very well known for its quality and great taste across Eastern Europe. It is quite heavy with meat, fish, vegetables side dishes, bread and cheese. For breakfast, there is, next to the obligatory khachapuri "small chicken" - eggs as omelette or fried eggs, freshly baked bread, muesli, fresh fruit, and local specialties. At lunchtime, there will be a simple takeaway lunch box to maximize ski time during the day and on bad weather days it is always possible to come back to the lodge for hot soup. In the evening, Georgian cooking is at its best with lashings of delicious local delights, including lobio (traditional bean stew in a clay pot), khinkhali (meat dumplings), tolma (stuffed wine or cabbage leaves) and the famous khachapuri (cheese bread). And, of course, you can look forward to the famous BBQ in the snow ...

Cat Skiing Bakhmaro Food
Cat Skiing Bakhmaro Cuisine
Cat Skiing Bakhmaro BBQ picnic

Rates & Inclusions

2023/24 Rates

Pioneers

Low Season - €2,800
High Season - €3,100

Base

Low Season - €2,400
High Season - €2,500 to 2,600
Cat Ski & Tour - €1950

  • Invoice / base currency is EUR € (however Swiss riders can pay CHF)
  • Price based on twin-share (in Pioneers) or up to quad-share (in Base)
  • Convert to your currency here
Inclusions
  • CAT SKIING: 6 days of guided cat skiing
  • ACCOMMODATION: 7 nights in 'The Pioneers' Lodge or local guesthouse (Base)
  • MEALS: Full board (all meals) at Bakhmaro
  • TRANSFERS: All ground transport & transfers between Kutaisi airport & Bakhmaro
  • SMALL GROUP: 8 to 10 riders per snowcat (Pioneers), 10 to 12 per snowcat (Base)
  • SAUNA
Add-ons
  • SKI RENTAL: Freeride skis & poles €200 per week (subject to availability)
  • SINGLE ROOM: Supplement - €250 per week in Pioneers (subject to availability)
  • SAFETY EQT: Avalanche safety gear (ABS pack, beacon, probe, shovel) - €100 per week (subject to availability)
Not Included

Booking Conditions

All terms & conditions are as per those set out by powderproject.ch at the time of booking

Note:

  • All Rates are in EUR funds.
  • Travel, medical and trip cancellation / interruption insurance is highly recommended and can be purchased here

Corona Virus Update re Booking Conditions

The deposit has been reduced to 20% to limit the uncertainty for our freeriders. However, down-payments to confirm that the bookings are binding and urgently needed to pay for diesel, spare parts, firewood, etc.

It is also impossible for us to predict how politics will proceed with restrictions. Accordingly, all flight plans must be enjoyed with caution. This year it probably makes sense to book flights later.

In the case of general impossibility - no flights or entry restrictions that make the tour impossible (quarantine on entry or return trip; general travel bans, etc.) you will be issue vouchers for the next season.

A repayment of the deposit will not be possible in the event of a (partial) cancellation of the season. For travel cancellations for personal reasons (own illness, injury, etc.), please take out travel cancellation insurance. We can no longer make goodwill refunds in these difficult times.