Mount Kazbek guided 11-day ski tour

Enjoy an incredible 11-day ski tour in and around Mount Kazbek, one of the highest mountains in the Caucasus, together with Ilia, a local GMGA certified mountain guide.

Private

11 Days

Mar - May

High

Intermediate

Highlights

Enjoy ski touring in Mount Kazbek surroundings.
Discover local villages and cultural spots.
Reach the summit o Mount Kazbek and contemplate incredible views.

Description

I invite you to an 11-day amazing ski tour in the surroundings of Mount Kazbek (5047 m), the third highest mountain in Georgia and the seventh major summit in the Caucasus mountain range.

The first spot of this trip will be Gudauri, a traditional ski resort that is two hours away from Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital city. The plan is to spend a few days there, in order to check the equipment and start our training by going to ski down the slope.

Another important location in this itinerary is the small town of Stepantsminda, in northeast Georgia. This is an ideal place for doing some classic ski mountaineering. In addition to that, there’s a historical spot along the way: the beautiful Trinity Church, an orthodox and apostolic church from the 14th century, lying in the top of a mountain.

You will also have the experience of crossing the beautiful Gergeti glacier and finally arrive to Bethlemi Hut, at 3670m.

And of course, the main attraction of this trip is getting to the summit of Mount Kazbek, where you will get some stunning views of the Caucasus mountains.

If you are interested in the details of this 11-day ski touring trip, please check the information below.

Please contact me if you are planning a ski touring in the Caucasus mountains. I will be glad to provide you all the information you need and guide you around some of the most beautiful places near Mount Kazbek.

If I'm not available to guide you, one of my 3 teammates, all of them GMGA mountain guides, will be happy to do so.

You can also take a look at my Gudauri 7-day guided freeride and ski touring trip.

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Transport during the trip

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and warm up

Arrival to Tbilisi and transfer to Gudauri (2000m), which is three hours away. Once there, we have a rest, warm up and go skiing on the slope using ski lifts. We spend the night in Gudauri.

Day 2: Mount Bidara and Kobi Pass

First we use the ski lifts to go as high as possible. Then we hike for half an hour to Mount Bidara (3100m) and Kobi Pass. We return to the hotel in Gudauri, which is about 15-20 minutes away.

Day 3: Cross Pass

Short ride to Cross Pass (3000 m). Then, we hike to the saddle between mountains Deda Ena and Gogebashvili. According to snow conditions, we decide the better way to go downhill. Finally, we go back to the hotel in Gudauri.

Day 4: Gergeti glacier

Early in the morning, a transfer takes us to Stepantsminda (Kazbegi). We start the ascent towards Bethlemi Hut. We pass Trinity Church at 2000 m. Four or five hours later, we reach the Gergeti glacier. We spend two hours to cross the glacier and finally, we reach Bethlemi Hut (3670m) after a short but steep climb. We spend the night at the hut.

Day 5: Acclimatization day

Hiking with skis on Mount Orcveri (4300 m). There’s a wonderful view of Mount Kazbek and the glacier. After that, we ski down to Bethlemi Hut.

Day 6: Summit day

On this day we try to reach the summit of Mount Kazbek. We take the normal route along the glacier until we arrive to the plateau, at 4400m. Then we go up to the saddle (4900m) on skis or using crampons, depending on the conditions. Finally, we do a little ice-climbing to the summit (5047 m). We descent to Bethlemi Hut.

Day 7: Extra day

This day is reserved in case of bad weather.

Day 8: Return to Gudauri

We return to Stepantsminda (1700 m). Then, a transfer takes us back to Gudauri.

Day 9: Relax Day

We do some easy skiing around Mount Chrdilebi and Mount Miliona, using ski lifts and hiking for a short while.

Day 10: Sightseeing at Tibilisi

A transfer takes us back to Tbilisi, where we go sightseeing.

Day 11: Departure

Departure.

About the guide

Ilia

4.4

(84)

Mountain Guide

I'm a fully certified IFMGA / UIAGM mountain guide from Tbilisi, Georgia. I have the GMGA (Georgian Mountain Guides Association) certificate and I'm a member of the Austrian Mountain Guide Association.

I'm a professional mountaineer, national team member of Georgian Mountain Federation. I am actively climbing in the Caucasus mountain range.

The programs I guide more often are:
- Mountaineering = Mt. Kazbek, Mt. Tetnuldi, Mt. Ushba, Chaukhi region.
- Ski Touring = Gudauri, Svaneti, Kazbegi regions.
I also manage large expeditions and base camps for Caucasus Mountains.

Please get in touch with me if you plan to come to Georgia. It will be my great pleasure to help you and to guide you in our awesome mountains.

I am leading a Guide Office in Georgia, and work together with my colleagues George, Lasha and Leri (National certified Mountain Guides). In case I'm not available, one of them will be your guide.

Languages

Russian | Georgian | English

Certificates

GMGA | IFMGA

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