Svaneti in Winter: Hatsvali and Tetnuldi Ski Resorts

Spread across the high mountainous zone of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range, Svaneti’s resorts offer winter sports enthusiasts not only high-quality ski runs but also a unique cultural experience. The winter season in Svaneti typically begins at the end of November and lasts until mid-April, giving both local and international visitors ample time to explore all that the region has to offer.

Hatsvali – Mestia’s First Ski Resort

Hatsvali was Mestia's first ski resort, offering visitors recreational activities not just in winter but throughout the year.

The resort’s highest point is at an altitude of 2,348 meters above sea level, while its lowest point is 1,868 meters. This difference in altitudes provides for ski runs of varying difficulty. Meanwhile, among the resort’s key advantages are its location and accessibility – the cable car directly connects it to the center of Mestia, the main town in Svaneti, enabling skiers to easily access the slopes.

During the winter season, Hatsvali has stable snow cover, creating optimal conditions for various winter sports for both beginners and experienced visitors. According to the resort’s development plan, additional runs and expanded infrastructure are to be built in the near future, further enhancing its capacity and offerings.

Currently, Hatsvali has five ski runs with a combined length of up to 5.5 kilometers. The easiest slope, at 500 meters long, is perfect for beginners. Adjacent to this run is a specially designated training area where instructors operate and practice. The intermediate slope, which is 600 meters long, is ideal for skiers who already have some experience and wish to improve their skills without taking on too much risk. For advanced skiers, the longest and most difficult run stretches 4.4 kilometers and is particularly popular among international visitors due to its technical peculiarities and high difficulty level. To maintain the high quality of surfaces, maintenance work is regularly conducted throughout the season.

The resort's infrastructure also includes four modern cable cars serving Hatsvali, Bigeli, Slalomi, and Zuruldi. The cable car system is equipped with modern technology, including electronic ticketing systems and advanced safety features that meet high European standards.

Tetnuldi – A Resort for Freeride Enthusiasts

Located 15 kilometers away from Mestia, the Tetnuldi ski resort stands out for its scale and uniqueness. The highest point of the resort is 3,160 meters above sea level, while the lowest point is 2,260 meters. Tetnuldi offers the chance to ski on various types of snow throughout the season: early in the season, the snow is powdery and soft; in mid-season, the surface becomes more compact; and, in spring, the cover changes with so-called “spring snow,” which is coarse and granular and particularly favored by experienced skiers.

Tetnuldi is also renowned for its off-piste skiing trails. In fact, it is marked on the global freeride map and has been hosting qualifying rounds of the Freeride World Tour since 2022.

The infrastructure includes five modern cable cars and nine ski runs with a combined length of 13 kilometers. Particularly notable is Tetnuldi's main slope, which is 9.5 kilometers long (making it the longest ski slope in the entire South Caucasus) with a vertical drop of 1.7 kilometers. These features make Tetnuldi a standout ski resort not only in Svaneti but across all of Georgia.

Safety at Svaneti’s Ski Resorts

Both Hatsvali and Tetnuldi have strict safety measures. Rescue services operate on-site, are equipped with modern technology and ready to assist in any situation. Snow conditions are regularly monitored, with avalanche risks constantly measured, forming the basis for decisions regarding the opening and closure of runs.

For those visiting Svaneti's resorts specifically for off-piste skiing, specialized equipment is mandatory. Off-piste skiing is only allowed under the supervision of a professional guide though.

The resorts operate under a unified pass system. The multicard allows skiers to use cable cars at all ski resorts in Georgia (in addition to Mestia, the system covers Gudauri, Bakuriani, and Goderdzi as well) with a single pass. The subscription system is flexible, offering short-term options (i.e. one-day or 2-3 days) as well as long-term (seasonal) passes.

Food and Accommodation at Svaneti’s Resorts

The hospitality infrastructure at Svaneti's resorts is less developed compared to Bakuriani and Gudauri; however, there is more than enough to accommodate skiers' needs and schedules. At Hatsvali, several eateries function, including one near the middle cable car station, thus allowing for quick access during breaks, and another near the upper cable car station.

Tetnuldi has fewer dining options than Hatsvali but still boasts a few popular establishments, meaning you don’t need to leave the resort for lunch or dinner.

As for accommodation, options at the resorts themselves are limited. However, the diverse options available in Mestia and nearby villages compensate for that. Mestia offers both modern hotels and more affordable family guesthouses, which are often a popular choice. These guesthouses allow visitors to experience the local lifestyle while easily covering meal concerns – most guesthouses offer breakfast and dinner and, as a local treat, the menus tend to include Svan dishes.

Transportation and Accessibility

Traveling from Tbilisi to Mestia takes approximately 8-9 hours. From Batumi, the travel time is around 6 hours, while from central Kutaisi you’ll need, on average, about 5 hours. However, keep in mind that traveling in winter to the Georgian mountains requires close consideration of weather forecasts and road conditions – heavy snowfall can significantly increase travel time, particularly on the mountainous road from Zugdidi to Mestia.

It’s recommended to use a high-clearance vehicle when traveling to Mestia year-round, and during the winter season this is a basic necessity. While the roads are regularly cleared and maintained throughout the season, navigating the mountainous sections with a low-clearance car remains risky.

Mestia has an airport, with regular flights operating to and from Tbilisi and Kutaisi – both taking not much more than an hour. This is an excellent alternative for those without their own vehicle. However, flights are highly weather-dependent and poor visibility may result in last-minute delays or cancellations.

Once in Mestia, you can easily reach Hatsvali by cable car, but to get to Tetnuldi you’ll need a high-clearance car.

During the winter season, local transportation services with high-clearance minivans and jeeps, regularly operate from Mestia’s center. This service is available every day during peak season, from morning to evening. However, it is worth noting that the service is private, and drivers do not operate standardized schedules.