Description

"Bidara" is a well-known area in Gudauri.

The popular areas of this mountain are accessed from the lifts of the Gudauri ski area.

The route shown here is the odd one out: No lift access.

To get to the top you need to walk from the highway (shown here) or, more sporty, via a traverse via Bidara Main (3011 m).

Nevertheless, skiing-wise it is Bidara`s best line and one of my favourite lines in the area.

It does not have a formal name, I just call it Bidara West.

To start, find the parking lot which is near the river bend close to the road.

Walk a few meters along the road to get past the steep sidewalls of the gorge on your left.

Then step into the skis/splitboard and head up the wide, flat slope towards Bidara.

It's pretty straightforward travelling until at ca 2530 m, where you need start heading right (diverging from the route to the Bidara main runs), crossing a creek bed.

Find a suited place - usually there a few places where it is easy and safe (not because of water, but terrain-trap) to cross.

When you reach the base of the steeper slopes, it gets tricky.

I discovered this route while looking at routes suitable for terrain management exercises on AST2 avalanche courses.

It is perfect for that: Avalanche terrain exposure really depends on route-finding choices here.

Generally - head for the ridge-features, avoid the depressions.

The drawn route approximates the route, but watch out for micro-terrain features.

Also look at the provided photos.

There are steeper options for skiing down, including one route shown here as a descent option.

Good avalanche risk and group management skills are required.

The northwestern exposure is great for snow, but persistent weak layers and wind slab are common avalanche problems.

For avalanche conditions, make sure to check the local avalanche forecast at https://www.avalanche.ge