Bakhmaro Cat Skiing & Snowboard Packages
Powder Skiing at One of the Best Catskiing Locations in the World
The Cat Skiing Bakhmaro Tour is one of Europe's best catski adventures and run by the pioneers of the region, Powderproject. Located in the snow-laden 'Lesser' Caucasus of southwestern Georgia at the remote village of Bakhmaro, the closest major Georgian cities are Kutaisi & Batumi. Professionally run, incredible snow & terrain, the highest safety standards and beautiful, modern accommodations to complement the exquisite cuisine, it is now or never to come here!
All packages include return airport transfers, 7-nights of accommodation in the traditional village of Bakhmaro (at newly built hotels & lodges run by the tour operator), 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 mid-March. Tours generally run for a week from Saturday to Saturday.
Highlights of Cat Skiing at Bakhmaro
- Exceptional powder skiing in one of the highest snowfall areas in Europe & central Asia
- One of the most professionally run cat ski operations in the world
- Diverse terrain for all snow & weather conditions including sublime tree skiing, high alpine bowls, steeps & plus classic Georgian lines back into the village.
- Incredible cuisine included in the tariff, plus access to the best local wines.
- Despite the remote location, accommodation is modern & high comfort.
- Care-free from the moment you land at Kutaisi airport. All is taken care of!
- For all the high quality the tour includes, one of the best value catskiing weeks in the world.
- Still comes with the whiff of high adventure in a country that is both great fun & full of intrigue.
Book via the tour listing dates, or if you want more info, make a General Booking Enquiry ->
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 snowpack. 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 amazing 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!
Depending on a number of factors (weather, snow conditions, group fitness & ability), the skiable vertical per day is between 3,000 and 5,000m.
Lodging & Food
The accommodation at Bakhmaro has developed in recent years to be in modern, newly built hotel-style lodges called 'The Pioneers', 'Rider Lodge', and more recently the most luxe of the lot, 'Stars'. Alternatively there are two chalet lodge/guesthouse options with shared or bunk rooms. The Pioneers, Riders Lodge & Stars hotels have multiple twin & triple rooms with modern ensuite bathrooms, a large living and dining space plus sauna. Food is a highlight of any trip to Georgia, and the cuisine at Bakhmaro is no exception. The chalet/guesthouse accommodation provides a slightly more rustic Bakhmaro experience, but one could argue its authenticity adds, rather than detracts from the experience! All meals are included and, regardless of where you are staying, no one goes home disappointed - all the food is first class. For more information, see the Lodging & Food page.
Ski Experience & Ability
The operators try to put together homogeneous groups. Help them by defining your main interests and your ski/board skills and please be honest about it. Don't overestimate your ability, especially if you have limited freeride experience. To be able to ride safely in a remote area like the Lesser Caucasus, riders need advanced freeride skills to ride all types of snow (including crust and wet snow). You also need to have the strength to hike out of a stream beds 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.
Bakhmaro can cater for a wide variety of ski & snowboard abilities and groups are formed according to the following categories:
- Intro - Freeriders who have not been traveling much for powder so far and have never done any snow safety training.
- Intermediate - Freeriders who ride confidently in any terrain, have done freeride trips before and have basic snow safety experience.
- Advanced - Sporty riders who go on a regular basis on powder-trips and want a lot of riding and little waiting.
- Expert - Riders with extensive experience in cat or heliskiing, experts and industry professionals like ski and snowboard instructors.
Those who book first get to define the focus of a particular group. Later bookings may have to 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. Suffice to say that you get to Kutaisi from various European, UK & middle-eastern airports. Upon landing, you will be met at the airport by the cat ski hosts for transport to Bakhmaro by minivan, & then by snowcat for the final climb up to the village.
Snowcats
The Bakhmaro cat ski operation uses multiple snowcats, plus several in reserve. Each cat has a maximum of 12 seats for guests. Unlike many cat skiing operations, there is little to no chance of your ski trip being interrupted by cat ski breakdowns, as there is always a replacement not too far away!
Safety
The operation is run by a reliable and professionalism German-Swiss organisation, where quality and safety management is paramount. Despite its difficult, remote location, a fantastic group of local professionals makes the operation tick like a Swiss watch!
Each tour group is led by a local guide from the professional Georgian Mountain Guides Association, overseen by professional mountain guides from the Alps. Certified, experienced tail guides are with each catski group as well.
When To Go, Booking & More Info
The perennial question of when it is best to go to skiing ....... anywhere, is indeed that! The peak season of mid-January to start March is the peak for a reason! However the region is busiest at this time and prices are higher. Thankfully in Bakhmaro, early season & late conditions can be just as good, or better, than peak season. Why? Firstly snow in the region is reliable. incredibly reliable. the start & end of the season can have just as much powder as the 'peak'. Secondly, during the December & the New year period, Bakhmaro is still in a general 'slumber' before being awakened by more skiing tour groups later in January. This tour is often the only one operating in the region during the early season. Snow is cold, often super-deep, the village is deliciously quiet, and your fellow skiers will be of the best kind(!) and great company. The standard of service from the cat-drivers, guides & chefs will be as good as the peak season, but prices are lower. For the best overall cat ski experience we think the New Year period is the Number 1 time to go! Getting into March, numbers of people are decreasing and prices fall again.
Book via the tour listing dates above, or if you want more info, make a General Booking Enquiry ->