Wild Ski Adventures Above Mestia

Experience the epic terrain, scenery and snow of Georgia's Svaneti region!

Charlie Boscoe

Images

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Good turns on Chaaladi glacier

by Peter Schön

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View from the col to Ushba (4710 m) and Chatyn-Tau (4412)

by Peter Schön

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Powder turns on Chaaladi glacier

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On the way to Koruldi lakes

by Peter Schön

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The first drop down to the glacier

by Peter Schön

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Looking up Chaaladi glacier

by Peter Schön

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Ascending Chaaladi glacier

by Peter Schön

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Chatyn-Tau. The SW flank is the prominent flank on the left side

by Peter Schön

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On the SW flank, Ushba (4710m) in the background

by Trevor Hunt

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Trevor Hunt on lower section of the SW flank

by Peter Schön

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The glacier below the face

by Peter Schön

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Peter Schön on the SW flank

by Trevor Hunt

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Trevor Hunt on the SW flank

by Peter Schön

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The first section of the SW flank

by Peter Schön

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Skiing the east facing slope to the bowl

by Peter Schön (copyright)

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Oh yes!

by Peter Schön (copyright)

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The east side - serious terrain!

by Peter Schön (copyright)

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In the hidden bowl

by Peter Schön (copyright)

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Heading back towards Adishi

by Peter Schön (copyright)

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Boarding into Adishi

by Peter Schön (copyright)

Description

The high altitude townlet (yes, it is a word!) of Mestia is home to some beautiful historical buildings - including several which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, about 2000 people and some of the best ski terrain in the Caucasus Mountains. Getting there requires a bit of effort but it's a journey well worth making for anyone who loves wild, big mountain skiing.

There's lift accessed skiing available at the nearby Tetnuldi Ski Resort, so we've included a couple of adventures which start from the chairlifts, but the area above Mestia is best known for its exceptional ski mountaineering terrain. With that in mind we've included a tour described by FATMAP Local Expert Peter Schön as "One of the best ski tours in Georgia" - the Chaaladi Glacier via Koruldi Lakes. The tour takes in a breathtaking amount of different terrain, and being linear makes it only feel more adventurous and challenging. Close to that tour we've also included one of Peter's other recommended routes; the 2 day trip to Chatyn-Tau West's SW flank - a stunning steep line which is about as "out there" as ski missions get.

Further east in Georgia is the famous ski area of Gudauri, which is rightly popular, but for the connoisseurs out there who want their ski adventures with a capital "A", head to Svaneti and get ready for the trip of a lifetime!

Adventures