Hatsvali Ski Resort Georgia
Hatsvali ski resort is a cheeky tree-skiing area in the Caucasus mountains of northwest Georgia. The Hatsvali ski area is amongst Georgia's most remote & spectacular (& snowiest!) mountain regions - the Svanetia. When winter storms are dumping cold snow down to low elevations, Hatsvali comes into its own. With a top elevation of a relatively modest 2,348m, snow quality can sometimes vary, but its shady north aspect certainly helps. Ski lift passes are in the ridiculously cheap realm of the world's lift pass pricing structure, but some may question whether the journey is worth the price! This region is for the more adventurous skier & snowboarder looking for something completely different.
Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain
Located near the beautiful town of Mestia, Hatsvali has 2 modern chairlifts & a skiable vertical of either 480m or 920m (depending on whether you are on or off-piste!). Beyond Mestia, the modern chairlifts of Tetnuldi provide some adequate skiing inbounds, plus unprecedented access to a vast backcountry. Numerous Svan villages replete with the region's signature fortified stone tower houses make incredible backcountry touring destinations, with typical ski descents of 1,400m vertical. The isolated village of Ushguli, oft called the gem of the Svaneti, is the ultimate ski-touring location!
See the Hatsvali ski trail map.
Heliskiing is starting up in the Svaneti region as well, based out of Mestia, adding to the winter activity mix. See details about Svaneti Heliskiing.
Where is Hatsvali Georgia?
Hatsvali ski resort is in the remote Svaneti (Svanetia) region amongst the highest peaks of the Caucasus mountains in north-western Georgia. With a new chairlift base less than 1km from the centre of historic Mestia, journeys to Hatsvali are easy compared its larger & newer neighbour at Tetnuldi. The nearest major city & airport are at Kutaisi, 250km by road south of Mestia. The road journey from Kutaisi is a tortuous 6hr. The Kutaisi Airport (KUT) has a limited number of flights daily from several major & secondary airports throughout Europe. Alternatively, flying into Tbilisi (TBS) is an option, but the journey to Mestia is two hours longer.
Unless you are on an organised tour, the quickest & best way to Mestia (& Hatsvali) from Kutaisi airport is via a private transfer.
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Mainstream public transport services direct to Mestia & Hatsvali from the airport do not exist (that we are aware of any way!), so a bus or taxi into the city, then a minibus (marshrutka) from the main Kutaisi bus station is required. This is a cheap alternative (25-30GEL) to a private transfer but comes with the relative discomfort of a lengthy transfer in a cramped bus plus a big question mark over where one puts their skis! Once in Mestia, local accommodation providers can organise a taxi or shuttle for the short trip to the chairlift base for a small fee.
Rental cars are only an option for experienced drivers with vehicles equipped for winter driving. The best way to describe how to drive in the Georgian mountains is with ‘caution’. Forewarned is forearmed!
For more information about getting around the country, see our Travel to Georgia page.
Hatsvali Accommodation
The closest main centre to Hatsvali is the scenic town of Mestia, located right on its doorstep. There is one on-mountain lodge at the Hatsvali ski lifts, but nights are best spent in the more atmospheric Mestia. Mestia is a town full of character, with fortified tower houses & mountains filling most views from its vibrant centre plus a wide range of superb hotels & guesthouses to choose from. For an authentic Mestia experience stay in a traditional guesthouse like Ametapi - comes with obligatory castle tower attached. Or try a modern guesthouse version like the boutique Korte Guest House. Alternatively, full-service hotels like the modern Chalet Mestia provide all the comforts for a great stay in the region. If relying on buses or taxis to get up to the ski lifts, stay in Mestia & make daily forays up to Tetnuldi. if they don’t have their own shuttle service, guesthouses & hotels will assist with organising transport up to either ski resort - be wary of costs.
Search & book here for all Mestia accommodation.
Nearby Ski Area
The new, but sometimes barely operational, Tetnuldi ski area is a relatively short drive from Mestia. It holds a lot of promise, but the delivery of that promise is a day-to-day proposition! The journey from Mestia to Tetnuldi is along a rough ice & snow-covered road with a reputation bordering on the notoriously bad! Local accommodation providers can organise a taxi or shuttle up to the mountain, but it can come at a significant cost, particularly if in a small group or alone.
See the Tetnuldi ski trail map.
Review
The Powderhounds will review Hatsvali as soon as we can. In the meantime, if you want to go, take a great value trip with our tour partners from the listings below. Stay tuned for our sparkling repartee, new photos & insights after we visit. Click on the review link in the left column (or top of the page if on a mobile) to read all the current reviews.
See how European ski resorts compare on the Europe ski resort ratings page.
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