Cat skiing terrain in Georgia

Cat skiing terrain

01. WILDERNESS

Bakhmaro is a wild unspoilt area, deep in the heart of the Lesser Caucasus mountains. Entirely cut off during the winter, abandoned summer cottages and cabins lie buried in the deep snow, scattered like jewels across the mountain sides. The only way in or out is by snowcat, snowmobile or helicopter. The isolation, variety and vastness come together to create perfect cat skiing terrain, as it combines breath-taking beauty with a bounty of freeride opportunities.

02. SCALE

We’re spoilt with high peaks over 2000m, forest glades, wide open powder bowls, gullies, chutes and stunning views: looking over the the Black Sea shoreline, and across to the breathtaking panorama of the entire Caucasus mountain range, taking in the dramatic peaks of Ushba, Elbrus, Shkhara, Tetnuldi, Dikhtau, Constantau, Mkinvartsveri, and Tebulo.

Area: 20,000 acres | 80 sq km
Highest point: 2950m
Accommodation: 1900m
Longest run: 1000m vertical
Average run: 400-600m vertical

03. A Perfect Storm

High mountains surround Bakhmaro on three sides. The western side is open, where a cool breeze blows from the Black Sea and blends with the mountains to form Bakhmaro’s unique climate.

The snow cover reaches up to 5 metres during the winter season, which lasts from December to March. Bakhmaro experiences considerable snowfall accumulation due to the mountain and sea air. The snow of Bakhmaro is a freerider’s dream – loose, light and deep!

04. Freeride Lines

Forests of centennial pines and fir trees stand tall and snow-covered across the slopes of Bakhmaro’s sunrise and sunset mountains. There are no lifts, and no glaciers. The snow cat gives us easy access to all the main peaks in the area, with a rich bounty of slopes, aspects, gradients and terrain options to choose from. Cat skiing in Bakhmaro is a freeride paradise!

05. Open Powder Runs

Wide open powder runs offer up fresh tracks and bring the powder party vibes. Style it out, savour the moment, or turn up the gas and show some steez. There’s a blend of mellow and steeper pitches: something for everyone.

06. Forest

It would be a crime not to ski the tree glades of Bakhmaro! Beech Forest is one of our favourite freeride areas in Bakhmaro. The north-facing, tree-covered slopes practically guarantee phenomenal snow and visibility.

We can also dive into the forests at the base of some open powder runs, to finish with a few more technical twists and turns before heading back up in the snowcat.

07. Gullies

The gullies of Bakhmaro put your technique to the test. It adds a bit of spice after cruising some of Bakhmaro’s more mellow cat skiing terrain. No ropes or crampons required, but steeper sides and a tighter turning radius mean that precision will be rewarded!

08. Buried Cabins

You realise the true beauty of Bakhmaro when you’re drifting between the ghostly-quiet cabins, as they peek out from their dense snowy blankets. Take in the backdrop of cottages, lodges and huts as we cruise along more mellow lines lower in the valley.

09. Cat Tracks

Our drivers have been building and clearing the roads in and around Bakhmaro, all year round, for decades. Having an established cat road network has allowed us to keep pushing the boundaries of where we ski. Every year, we explore further and open up new areas. The cat skiing terrain is continuously evolving and expanding.

Join one of our cat skiing trips and enjoy all that Bakhmaro has to offer!

Terrain