Cat Ski Georgia - Goderdzi
Experience Georgia's Answer to Japan's Abundant Snowfall & Glades
The Adjara region is Georgia's answer to Japan's famous powder. Thanks to its proximity to the Black Sea, the region boasts abundant snowfall, and the ski resort of Goderdzi makes the perfect base to experience it. With this cat ski trip in Georgia, you can revel care-free in the pristine powder for 5-days, guided by expert locals and transported by a powerful PistenBully snow cat. This beast will take you to the most remote and untouched slopes, offering an adventure you'll never forget. And afterwards, as well as all meals, you get to enjoy the swimming pool, sauna and outdoor jacuzzi at your 5-star hotel, the Ambassadori. This is a true ski adventure for anyone that loves riding deep powder & wants to experience something different from the Alps. What are you waiting for?
Highlights
- Short but sweet 6-day trip with plenty of powder, comfort & cultural immersion.
- 5 days of guided cat skiing.
- Skiing & snowboarding in deep powder, plus in some of the most beautiful tree glades in Georgia.
- Enjoy the incredible Georgian cuisine, plus sample the wine, beer and of course cha-cha
- 5-star accommodation in Goderdzi ski resort with snowcat pick-up directly form the door.
- Includes indoor heated swimming pool, spa area & outdoor jacuzzis.
- Fully hosted tour with all the logistics looked after.
- The tour works with local guides & local partners, whilst supporting tourism in a still developing country.
Itinerary
The Cat Skiing Georgia tour has a simple itinerary. A pickup from Tbilisi or other part of Georgia on the first day (Sunday), then a 5-6hr journey to Goderdzi is followed by 5-days of cat skiing through the week. At the end of the final day's cat skiing, you will be transferred back to the starting point of the tour, arriving quite late in the evening on the Friday. See a more detailed program via the Itinerary tab.
Goderdzi
The tour is based out of Goderdzi ski resort village in Adjara, southwest Georgia, less than 100km east of the Black Sea. Due to its beautiful glade terrain and abundant snowfall (due to a combination of prevailing storm direction & its proximity to the Black Sea), the mountain village of Goderdzi is a freeride paradise often referred to as the 'Japan of Georgia'. The deciduous trees create stunning tree runs, and the surrounding terrain is dotted with numerous mountain huts. These huts are used by shepherds and their families during the summer when the Goderdzi Pass road opens up access to Goderdzi. However in winter, the pass is closed due to the impressive snowfall, averaging over 4m deep at the peak. The mountain pass is also the access road to numerous catskiing drops around Goderdzi.
The Georgian government started construction of the ski resort in 2016, so local facilities, including a super-fast gondola, are quite modern. The 5-star hotel (your base on this tour) is located in the centre of the small village. In the luxury hotel, you will not be short of anything. Nestled at an altitude of 1,700m altitude, the hotel is surrounded by a stunning snowy landscape. The sunsets from the jacuzzi are nothing short of magical, casting a golden glow over the snow-covered peaks and creating an unforgettable sight.
Cat Skiing
Goderdzi provides nearly 8,000ha of land for cat skiing. This varies from mellow tree runs to faces of 35+ degrees. An experienced guide will show you the best slopes, and they are constantly monitoring the conditions so the group can access the most premium untracked powder terrain. Assume that you can do at least 6-8 runs per day, for a daily vertical of 3,000 to 5,000m.
The cat ski terrain is divided into four exhilarating regions, each offering unique challenges and stunning vistas. The tour typically focuses on one region per day. The highest peaks, up to 2,600m above sea level, are on the eastern flank, featuring expansive snow plains and the enchanting village of Beshumi, where you can ski among picturesque abandoned wooden huts. The southern region offers steeper slopes and some cliff drops, perfect for anyone seeking more action. To the west, there are mainly tree runs through dense forests with occasional clearings, providing a beautiful and diverse skiing experience. Based on the weather conditions, the optimal region will be selected each day to ensure the best cat skiing adventure.
The catski fleet currently boasts four PistenBullys, the ultimate German powerhouses for conquering the slopes. The newest snowcats arrived in 2021 and are each equipped with a cozy cabin that accommodates 12-14 people. Your group will have a maximum of 12 guests, plus guiding staff. You'll board via a custom-made staircase, and your skis and snowboards will be securely stowed in side-mounted boxes.
Accommodation & Meals
The 5-star Ambassadori Hotel in the Goderdzi resort village is the tour base & lodgings. A highlight is the hotel's swimming pool & outdoor Jacuzzis which are perfect for unwinding after a day in the powder, plus there are numerous options to have a drink, play a game or watch some sports. The extensive breakfast buffet is an absolute delight. Most dinners are eaten in the hotel, but the group will also dine out a few times at other local restaurants. The Georgian cuisine features plenty of bread, cheese, and meat, but don’t worry, you’ll still get your share of vegetables and fruit. And then there's wine beer and the local strong spirit, cha-cha. For detailed info on the tour's accommodation, food & drink, see the Lodging tab.
Guides
A fantastic group of freeriders are on site, ensuring that you make safe descents. All guides are GMGA (Georgian Mountain Guide Association) certified and have extensive knowledge of the terrain, avalanche safety, mountaineering, first aid and snowpack. The tour operator, Ryce Travel, predominantly work with local staff and believe it is important to use local knowledge and to support the local community.
Ski & Snowboard Ability & Gear
This cat-ski tour is for advanced riders with off-piste experience in deep powder.
You will should bring all your own ski & snowboard gear, but there is also an option to rent freeride skis, boots & boards - ask at the time of booking. Avalanche safety equipment is provided, but if you have your own, please bring it. Avalanche Airbag backpacks are available for rental. Enquire when booking.
Transport - Getting There & Away
The tour includes return transport from either Tbilisi Airport (at 11am on the first day) or the Tbilisi city centre to the tour base at Goderdzi ski resort. Tbilisi (TBS) airport is easily accessible from flight origins throughout Europe, the UK, Türkiye & the Middle-east.
Whilst the transfer from Tbilisi is included, the operator can organize transport from any point in Georgia (i.e. Kutaisi, Batumi). From the international airport of Tbilisi (or Kutaisi) it takes about 5-6 hours to drive to Goderdzi. There is no road access in winter to the resort accommodation from this approach, so you will be picked up by snowcat for the final part of the journey (an adventure in & of itself!). From Batumi it is possible to drive directly to Goderdzi. This takes about 2 hours on a road where you also need four-wheel drive.
We recommend spending at least a night or two in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, preferably after the tour. For more details & accommodation options, see our Tbilisi overview page.
Cat Ski Georgia - Goderdzi Tour Bookings
Solos and small groups are welcome to join one of the fixed-date cat skiing trips via the date listings above. Or if you are after a minimum of 3 cat skiing days and have a minimum group size of 6, you can make a booking request for a private, customised cat skiing tour.
About the Tour Operator
Ryce Travel is a foundation dedicated to supporting Community Based Tourism (CBT) and they work predominantly with local partners and guides. As a non-profit tour agency, Ryce supports tourism in developing countries, providing you with an authentic local experience while ensuring that locals earn a decent income. Additionally, Ryce helps to foster local initiatives to grow winter tourism.