Cat skiing FAQ
We hope you can find the relevant information that you want on our website. We also selected these cat skiing FAQ (frequently asked questions) to bubble up some of the hotter topics our guests have.
But we know it’s impossible to capture every single question that might come up. So if you haven’t found your answer, you can get in touch with us to ask any questions you have about our trips and cat skiing in Georgia. Besides, we would love to hear from you!
General cat skiing FAQ
Cat skiing uses snowcats – also known as groomers, piste bashers, pistenbullys or snow ploughs – to access backcountry (off piste) skiing and snowboarding.
Snowcats have the potential to cover far more ground and to access far more remote backcountry areas than you typically could with lift access or ski touring. Keen to find out more? Read our post on ‚what is cat skiing‘ and why it’s so awesome.
Your insurance must cover the activities you are doing and the altitude included in your itinerary. Your policy should include mountain search and rescue, medical treatment and cancellation.
As policies are country or region-specific, check Georgia is covered.
All of our guides are fully-qualified, professional members of the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA) and the Georgian Mountain Guide Association (GMGA). We also work in mountain rescue teams, control ski resort avalanche safety, and lead mountaineering expeditions at home and abroad. All of our team are experienced, reliable professionals.
Every day is different, that’s the joy of skiing here. Usually, we get 8-12 runs per day and 3500-4500 vertical meters of descent.
Yes, everyone is welcome. We’ve had monoskiers and telemarkers join our ranks.
If you are joining a ski touring trip, you must have your own split board, skins and previous experience touring.
Our guides are multi-lingual and across the entire team, we speak Georgian, English, German, Polish and Russian.
cat skiing TRAVEL FAQ
Your flight should land at Kutaisi or Batumi before 14:00 on Saturday (arrival day).
If you fly to Tbilisi, please fly in on the Friday or land before 7am on Saturday.
We manage all your transfers to and from the airports.
We’ll arrange your transfers to and from the airport. You can find more details on our Trip Planning section.
All the time! Really, though, we do have great winters and there’s forest protection during snowy, stormy days. Our season runs from December to March.
cat skiing KIT FAQ
The temperature is usually between -1°C and -10°C. However, it can drop to -20°C. Bring spare layers, extra gloves and a hat or headband, as you can leave extra clothing in the snowcat.
Once you’re back at the lodge, we have a large stove in the main living space and heaters in all the bedrooms to keep you toasty and warm.
Here are some of our kit essentials:
- Ski clothing
- Helmet, goggles and sunglasses
- Skis and poles / snowboard
- Ski boots (hand luggage)
- Skins (for the ski tourers)
- Avalanche kit and airbag
- Comfortable lodge clothes
- Indoor shoes or slippers
- Outdoor boots
- Swimsuit or shorts for the sauna
- Boot warmers (optional)
- Multi tool
- Personal medication and toiletries
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Spare gloves
We provide bed linen and towels.
Yes. Avalanche bags (or airbags) are mandatory on our trips. If you don’t have your own, you can hire one of ours. You must let us know in advance as we have limited stock.
We do not have any snowboards or splitboards available for hire.
You can hire freeride skis, touring skis, avalanche bags and avalanche safety equipment (transceiver, shovel, probe) from us. Check out our range of kit for hire – including some of the latest and greatest gear from Atomic and Mammut.
As we have a limited supply of rentals, please book this in advance. We don’t want you to miss out!
Accommodation, Meals and Expenses FAQ
Please let us know in advance what allergies or restrictions you have. All meals are cooked in a kitchen that handles nuts, wheat and dairy. Due to the remote location, we need to buy ahead of time and bring all supplies up in the snowcat. However, Georgian cuisine is incredibly varied and tasty; we have a fantastic range of home-grown produce and we will do our best to accommodate your needs!
Yes, sure you can. We run two snowcats and our lodge can home up to 25 guests. Private bookings can either:
- have one snowcat and guides for your group only; other guests may also be staying in the same accommodation.
- have both snowcats and the entire lodge to yourselves.
Please get in touch if you are interested in either option as we will have a minimum group size or minimum total price.
Yes, we have wifi in the lodge and the hotels we use in Kutaisi, Batumi and Tbilisi all have free wifi too.
Mobile reception varies as we are in a very remote area. We recommend picking up a Georgian SIM card when you are at the airport. You can take advantage of far cheaper data rates, and better coverage. In some cases, our guests couldn’t get on the Georgian mobile network as their own home provider didn’t support it.
Euros are widely accepted but it’s definitely a good idea to carry Georgian Lari too.
Once you’re in Bakhmaro, the only things you need cash for are:
- alcohol (honesty bar)
- visits to Bar Bakhmaro
- tips (optional)
On the journey to and from Bakhmaro, we stop at service stations, shops or coffee stalls. The smaller ones will only take Georgian Lari. The service stations accept card payments.
Most hotels and restaurants in Kutaisi, Batumi and Tbilisi will accept card payments.
Every time you take a drink from the bar, you note it down on the bar tab against your name. Then, at the end of the trip, you tally up all your drinks and pay for them.
In Georgia, people tip about 10% in restaurants and bars. It’s entirely at your discretion if you wish to leave a tip for your guides, driver and Terrace Bakhmaro team.
6 Day Catskiing €2095
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3 Day CATSKIING AND
3 Day SkiTouring €1885
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3 Day Catskiing €1580
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