This diverse 8-day skiing adventure in the High Caucasus provides a diverse mix of moderate to challenging ski tours away from the crowds and the opportunity to scale and ski several high peaks over 4000 m, combined with comfortable accommodations, the famous Georgian food and hospitality, and the expertise of a certified guide with local knowledge.

We begin the trip with two days of ski touring around Stepantsminda (1800 m asl.), with the famous and beautiful Mkinvartsveri/Kazbek (5054 m) as a backdrop. Mkinvartsveri is Georgia's third-highest and probably most renowned peak, surrounded by many stories and legends. We then ascent to AltiHut (3014 m). This comfortable and cosy Alps-style hut is a perfect location to ski lines on and around Mkinvartsveri, including 3000 and 4000 m summits in a glaciated environment. Altihut provides comfortable overnight stay, delicious food served in the "restaurant at 3000 meters". We spend four days ski touring from the hut, relaxing in the evening with views of Mkinvartsveri, reading a book from the hut's library, or simply enjoying a glass of excellent Georgian wine. If conditions and group experience allow for it, attempting the summit of Mkinvartsveri itself is an option (must be organized before departure).

The guide for this trip is Peter Schön, an ACMG-certified Ski Guide, who has pioneered ski tours and first descents in the area since 2006. Peter also involved in running the avalanche forecast for the wider Gudauri - Kazbegi area, and therefore up to date about snow and avalanche conditions in the area.

About The Guide

The guide for this trip is Peter Schön, an ACMG-certified Ski Guide, who has pioneered ski tours and first descents in the area since 2006. Peter also involved in running the avalanche forecast for the wider Gudauri - Kazbegi area, and therefore up to date about snow and avalanche conditions in the area.
Ski Guide - Association of Canadian Mountain Guides
Canadian Avalanche Association Level 3 & Professional Member

First (reported) Ski Descents:
Caucasus

• Mkinvartsveri (Kazbek, 5054 m)
• South-east face direct (50°)
• South-east ramp
• North-east face to Abano glacier - Article in Mountain Life
• South face
• Traverse over summit

• Maili-Kkoh (4600 m)
• Ortsveri (4365 m) north face
• Skhhara (5193 m) south pillar (55°+, 5A, ski descent to 4300 m)
• Janga Tau (5058 m) south face
• Chatyn-Tau (4310 m), south-east couloir (55°+) and west face - Article in Mountain Life

Other Ranges
• Pik Pobeda East (50°+, 6762 m) north-east ridge, Tian Shan
Lap Nazar (50°+, 5990 m), Pamir
• Cerro de los Piuquenes (6025 m), Andes

Of those, only the following have reported repeats:
• Mkinvartsveri SE face direct (Buta Eloshvili and Bekar Phajishvili)
• Ortsveri north face (Buta Eloshvili and Bekar Phajishvili)
• Chatyn-Tau south-east couloir (Miroslav Peťo and Maroš Červienka)

Day 1:

Meeting in the morning in Tbilisi and equipment check at MPlus. If you need (or have forgotten) gear, most equitable can be rented here before we leave. Soon, our driver takes us towards Stepantsminda. On the way, we do a short tour starting from near the Cross Pass, the high point of the “Georgian Military Road”.

Vertical meters: 600; time: 3-4 hrs.

Driving: 3 hrs.

Accommodation/Food: Guesthouse / dinner (lunch?)

Day 2:

Ski tour from Stepantsminda. After a short drive, we are on skis on and ascent towards the rarely visited east (Japaridze) ridge of Mkinvartsveri (5054 m), with a chance for good views to Mkinvatsveri's massive east face. We ski back to the village from a high point about 3000 – 3200 m.

Vertical meters: 1000 – 1200; time: 4 -5 hrs.

Driving: 30 min

Accommodation/Food: Guesthouse / full board

Day 3:

Time to ski one of Peter’s favorite runs– a long NE facing slope that provides 1100 vertical meters of good terrain and usually good snow conditions.

Vertical meters: 1100; time: 4-5 hrs.

Driving: 50 min

Accommodation/Food: Guesthouse / full board

Day 4:

Ascent to AltiHut. The tour takes around 4 hours, with fantastic views to the picturesque Tsminda Sameba church and Mkinvartsveri. Those with some power left can ascent another 600 m vertical meters on slopes near the hut, often providing good skiing and snow conditions.

Vertical meters: 900 (1500); time: 4 (6) hrs.

Driving: 15 min

Accommodation/Food: Mountain hut / full board

Day 5:

Well-rested and acclimatized, we depart for a long tour up the Gergeti glacier. Depending on weather and snow conditions and considering group fitness, we aim to climb and ski Spartak (4517 m) or Maili-Kokh (4600 m). Both are excellent ski summits, with stunning views to Mkinvartsveri and other 5000 m peaks (Peter has climbed and skied all 5000 m peaks of Georgia and can provide information on most high peaks visible). The tour leads up the Gergeti glacier to the Kazbek plateau (4450 m), and turns west towards Spartak, with the option to continue to the elegant east ridge of Maili. Some refer to this tour as the “Road of Dreams”. When you are there, you will understand why. Very few people ski on these peaks despite their true high alpine character and moderate terrain.

Vertical meters: 1500 (Spartak) – 1700 (Maili-Kokh). Time 7-8 hrs.

Driving: 0

Accommodation/Food: Mountain hut / full board

Day 6:

The destination for this day is kept open. We may

Vertical meters: 1200 m (4-5 hrs)

Driving: 0

Accommodation/Food: Mountain hut / full board

Day 7:

Short ski in the morning. After the tour, we grab our gear, and descent to Stepantsminda. In the late afternoon, our driver takes us back to Tbilisi.

Vertical meters: 800 (up), 1700 (down); time: 4 hrs.

Driving: 3 hrs.

Accommodation/Food: Hotel / full board

Day 8:

Flight home. Optional: a city tour with Peter through vibrant Tbilisi.

Accommodation/Food: Hotel / breakfast