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Bakhmaro Catski

7 Nights, 5-6 Ski Days, Dec. 2026 – Mar. 2027

Pioneers of Bakhmaro

Caucasus, Catskiing, Catski Europe, Swiss catski, Heliskiing, Bakhmaro
Freeriding above Bakhmaro since 2016, Feb. 2023. © Lukas Merten, Rider Jochen Schlutius
In 2016, we embarked on a scouting trip to this summer resort—which until then lay completely deserted in winter—and instantly recognized the incredible freeride potential of the surrounding peaks.
By the following summer, we founded powderproject.ch, purchased our first snowcat, mapped out potential cat tracks, rented two simple cottages, and assembled our local team. In the winter of 2016/17, we proudly welcomed our very first groups. As pioneers, we were the first to offer organized winter overnight stays in Bakhmaro, opening up an entirely new cat-skiing destination. While others have repeatedly tried to copy our concept, our standards of quality and safety remain unmatched.
Today, with The Stars, The Pioneers, and Riders Lodge, we provide the finest accommodations in Bakhmaro—properties that now serve as the benchmark for all local lodging, even during the summer. Operating year-round also allows us to retain a top-notch culinary team that is truly unparalleled in the region.
In the winter of 2025/26, we celebrated 10 years of freeriding in Bakhmaro, ushering in a new era of sustainable cat-skiing powered by fully electric snowcats and snowmobiles.
catski, powderproject, Pistenbully; Catski Switzerland
Welcome to Bakhmaro, March 2019. © Alexey
In summer, Bakhmaro is a beloved family resort perched at around 1,900 meters, where many locals and city-dwellers own traditional mountain huts. While the high valley also features a hotel and a handful of guesthouses, winter completely transforms the region into an uninhabited, inaccessible wilderness.
Located just 40 km from the Black Sea, Bakhmaro receives massive amounts of precipitation year-round, which translates into incredible snowfall during the winter months. The tree line is exceptionally high, offering a uniquely diverse selection of tree runs. Above the trees, vast, wide-open slopes await, culminating at the region's highest point: Mount Sakornia at 2,755 meters.

Alignment

Bakhmaro has changed significantly since we first discovered it back in 2016. The comfort of the accommodations has increased remarkably, and overall accessibility has vastly improved. At the same time, however, the area has become noticeably more crowded, and some of the original, raw adventurous spirit has inevitably been lost.

Yet, the terrain itself remains largely untouched. Freeriders can still expect a perfect, balanced mix of pristine forests and wide-open alpine slopes, all interspersed with challenging steeper gullies and dramatic rocky outcrops.

The snowcat serves as the primary lift for our groups, leaving only a handful of descents to be reached via short, rewarding climbs.

Accommodation

Catski, Bakhmaro, The PIONEERS, Riders Lodge
The PIONEERS and Riders Lodge
In Bakhmaro, we offer a variety of accommodations tailored to different preferences. Crucially, most of our properties are managed directly by us year-round, including during the summer. This continuous oversight directly impacts the quality of your stay; rented houses often lack the winter functionality and high standards that our managed properties guarantee.
For solo freeriders and smaller groups of friends, we offer The Stars. This setup encourages a vibrant, international atmosphere where like-minded riders can easily connect.
For private groups, we offer hotels (The PIONEERS and Riders Lodge) as well as guesthouses (Chalet & Base). These can be booked as a private chalet or shared with just one other group, ensuring complete privacy for your crew.
Our hotels feature en-suite rooms and comfortable, spacious common areas. Meanwhile, our guesthouses offer a more budget-friendly option with a focus on community—providing more interaction with our local team and a firsthand taste of authentic Georgian hospitality. From cozy guesthouses to premium hotels, freeriders of all backgrounds can find their perfect basecamp without having to compromise.

 

Food

Georgian food, cupati, Georgian dishes
In Georgia many dishes are served on the table at once and everyone helping themselves.
Our dining options vary by accommodation to offer you the best culinary experience. In our guesthouses, you will experience authentic Georgian home cooking. Prepared fresh daily by our local kitchen team, one friend beautifully described it as: "Just like a Georgian grandmother would cook."
Our hotels elevate this experience to the standard of a fine Georgian restaurant. At The Stars, our professional chef crafts a modern Georgian fusion cuisine—bringing traditional dishes to life with a contemporary twist.
Mornings begin with a generous breakfast featuring muesli, yogurt (including homemade matsoni), fresh fruits, vegetables, egg dishes, local cheeses, homemade jams, and honey sourced directly from the village. We also serve freshly baked homemade bread and regional specialties.
For lunch, we provide packed lunch boxes to maximize your time on the mountain. Items are individually wrapped, making it easy for those with vegetarian, lactose-free, or gluten-free diets to find exactly what they need. On colder or rainy days, you can warm up inside with a hot soup or burano, a comforting local melted-cheese dish.
In the evening, we celebrate hearty and diverse Georgian cuisine with classics like lobio (traditional bean stew in a clay pot), khinkali (savory filled dumplings), tolma (stuffed grape or cabbage leaves), and the famous khachapuri (cheese bread). Dinners are served family-style on platters and in bowls, allowing everyone to help themselves and effortlessly catering to special dietary needs like vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free.

 

Itinerary

  • Saturday:
    Pick up at the airport Kutaisi (KUT) or Batumi (BUS) & transfer to Bakhmaro.
  • Sunday: safety briefing
    freeriding in the mountains around Bakhmaro.
  • Monday to Friday: freeriding according to weather and snow conditions.
  • Saturday: Departure - Transfer to Kutaisi (KUT) or Batumi (BUS).

Download
Itinerary The PIONEERS
Itinerary PIONEERS 2024.2.pdf
Adobe Acrobat Document 236.8 KB
Download
Itinerary Riders Lodge
Itinerary Riders Lodge 2024.1.pdf
Adobe Acrobat Document 249.4 KB
Download
Itinerary Bakhmaro Base
Itinerary Bakhmaro 2024.1.pdf
Adobe Acrobat Document 248.3 KB

Prices

Stars:

3'800,-€ per person in peak season
(16/01-06/03/2027)
3'500,-€ per person in shoulder season
500,-€ single room surcharge


The PIONEERS & Riders Lodge:

3'500,-€ per person in peak season
(16/01-06/03/2027)
3'200,-€ per person in shoulder season
500,-€ single room surcharge


Chalet:

3'300,-€ per person in peak season
(16/01-06/03/2027)
3'000,-€ per person in shoulder season
500,-€ single room surcharge


Bakhmaro Base:

2'900,-€ per person in peak season
(16/01-06/03/2027)
2'700,-€ per person in shoulder season


included

  • Pick up at Kutaisi airport and Transfer to Bakhmaro and back
  • 7 nights in Bakhmaro
  • Double-, twin or triple-rooms 
  • Full Board: breakfast, packed lunch and Georgian dinner
  • 5-6 days catskiing
  • Group size 8-12
  • experienced English speaking guide
  • English speaking contact person with local knowledge


not included

  • Any rental equipment:
    Freeride skis, poles, skins
    Airbag, shovel, probe, avalanche transceiver
  • Drinks
  • Additional or private transfers
  • Extra nights, overnight stays in airport hotels unless planned by us
  • Tips

Bar & Sun Terrace

Located right next to The Pioneers, our bar is housed in a stylish pavilion featuring a large, sun-drenched terrace. We serve a great selection of beer, wine, long drinks, and local spirits.
It is the perfect place to soak up the afternoon sun after freeriding, share stories from the day, and connect with riders from other groups. As night falls, it transforms into the ultimate spot for those looking to keep the energy going—having already hosted legendary parties for New Year’s Eve and our anniversary. A welcome side effect: the pavilion keeps the party vibe alive in one dedicated space, ensuring the lodging areas remain quiet and relaxing.
Perched above the river with a beautiful view over Bakhmaro, the location is truly spectacular. The bar is directly accessible from The Pioneers and Riders Lodge, and just a short 200-meter walk from The Stars.

 

Impressions of our first seasons

Scouting

2015/16

Pioneer

2016/17

BlindBird

2017/18

Restart

2018/19


5 reason to ride with us

  • Reliability - high levels of snowfall, especially at the beginning of the season.
  • Professionalism - Swiss / German organization, quality and safety management, back-up Snowcat.
  • Experience - a new freeride location in a remote location in the Caucasus.
  • Ease - no visa required, good flight connections with direct flights from London, Milano, Barcelona and other cities.
  • Possibilities - the perfect place for the best photo & video shots, whether with action cam or drone.