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Bookings
Booking Policy
We usually start the booking periode in March for the following season. Most bookings we get till May.
First repeating freeriders have the chance to book again, then we open bookings for new freeriders.
Our alp hut is the perfect place to spend a few days in a group of good friends, family or colleges. We need minimum 8 bookings for an exclusice week.
Payments are only possible by bank transfer to our Swiss bank accounts (Euros or Swiss Francs). We are currently working on other options.
Requirements
- Safe freeriding in alpine terrain in all snow conditions.
- Safe technique in the downhill and ascent.
- Condition for short ascents.
- Patience (for alpine conditions, weather and the situation in a transition country like Georgia).
Please keep in mind that there must always be a backup plan for a safe expedition. We move here in
undeveloped terrain. A support from the outside is practically impossible. We are on our own.
Avalanche safety equipment can be rented on site. We have a small selection of high quality on-site gear (Mammut Airbags, Grown Freeride Skis).
A timely gear rental is necessary because our stock is limited.
Tour-Shop
We use one Tour-Shop for our German and for our English web-page.
Travel Conditions
As a Swiss company we are subject to Swiss law. Accordingly our travel conditions must be in German.
Prices & Availability
We try to keep the overview up to date. Please note, however, that bookings are usually made in small groups and the situation changes very quickly.
Waiting list means that we have unconfirmed bookings for the week that could still be canceled. Sometimes groups also decide to change the location (Bakhmaro - Adjara) and places
/ weeks become available again.
Fully booked means that the week is definitely booked, but withdrawals are still likely in Corona times. So in these weeks something can become available again.
From August 1st we will be taking our normal 50% deposit again (until then we had reduced the deposit for early bookings to 20% to counteract uncertainties surrounding corona restrictions and the war in Ukraine).
Stand: 10/12/2022
Flight Connections
The low-cost carrier, Wizzair, connects Kutaisi (KUT) with different European cities. Although there have been repeated problems with airbags and air canisters, we still recommend their direct flights. The likelihood of lost baggage and delayed or cancelled flights because of winter conditions are lower on these direct flights.
The airport of Tbilisi (TBS) is far - 6 hours by car - from Bakhmaro. A private transfer costs from 180,-€ one way. We can arrange it, but cash payment must be made to the driver directly, each way.
An interesting alternative could be Batumi (BUS), but be aware that in the winter, a snowstorm could leave you stranded in the connecting city of Istanbul.
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Although Wizz is already offering flights for the winter schedule, it is very likely that times and maybe days will change.
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We will pick you up at the airport Kutaisi (KUT) when you arrive - any time. However, please be aware that our program at The PIONEERS and in our Alp Hut in Adjara starts Saturday evening.
If there is no flight on Saturdays we recommend to do an overnight in Kutaisi and then we pick up at the hotel.
Due to weather and snow conditions as well as the danger of avalanches, a transfer in the night may not be possible until the next morning. The same goes for the return trip. In this situation we would organise an accommodation in the valley. Additional nights might be available in our basic house in Bakhmaro to match with some flights.
If direct flights to Kutaisi (KUT) are not possible, there is also the possibility to travel with international carriers and a stopover to Batumi or Tbilisi.
Batumi (BUS) is a good choice as the airport is easy to reach from us. We can gladly organize a transfer from Batumi. The transfer takes about 3 hours, one hour longer than from
Kutaisi.
A transfer from Tbilisi (TBS) takes a good 6 hours. We can organize private transfers, but they will cost extra.
Type/Ability
We try to compile homogeneous groups. Please help us by defining your own main interest and riding ability and be honest. Don’t overestimate your ability, especially if you have limited freeriding experience. To ride safe in a remote area like the Lesser Caucasus, riders need advanced skills to ride all kinds of snow (including crust and wet snow). They need to have the strength to hike out of river beds or dig themself out of deep snow, and they need the confidence to ride the occasional fast or steep slopes.
For the season 2021/2022 we have defined 3 types to compile groups as similarly as possible:
Ride
Sporty riders who want a lot of riding and little waiting - let's say expert level.
Experience
Freeriders who ride confidently in any terrain but who also value the Caucasus experience - advanced.
Backcountry
Riders who always carry skins in their backpack - hiking up to 500 meters in altitude are no problem.
Adjara is our backcountry location. We expect freeriders who always have skins with them. Backcountry is practically the only type of rider that Adjara could consider.
