Georgia Cat/Splitboarding Trip 2027
26th feb - 7th March 2027 - 3 Days Bakhmaro Cat and 4 1/2 days riding Mestia + Ushguli
The Backdrop Crew are offering a special opportunity to travel to Georgia with ILIA BERULAVA, Co-Founder of the Georgia Guide Office, and an IFMGA guide, you’ll be in a small group of like minded people and the Backdrop Crew.
Georgia is a truly special destination, where culture hits powder, and where the food and wine are both fantastic and the prices even better.
Places are limited so contact us asap, and if you want to snag a spot email pete@backdropjournal.com including your mountain/riding experience and how you keep fit.
The trip is for experienced riders/splitboarders, you must be able to ride all sorts of off piste conditions and able to skin up hill for many hours at altitude. If you lack splitboarding experience take a look at our Skills Week
Proposed itinerary
Feb
25 - early flight for night in Istanbul, or late flight to Istanbul after work
26 - 13:50 Istanbul flight to arrive in Batumi 16:45 transfer to Bakhmaro (trip starts 16:45 Batumi)
27- Full day in Cat at bakhmaro - Full Board
28 - Full day in Cat FB
March
1st - Full day Cat, transfer to Zugdidi (4/5hrs) dinner and night there.
2- early transfer to Mestia (3/4hrs) afternoon ski Hatsvali resort HB
3- Full day touring or slack country in Mestia or Ushguli HB
4- Full day touring or slack country in Mestia or Ushguli HB
5- Full day touring or slack country in Mestia or Ushguli HB
6- Full day touring or slack country in Mestia B (transfer to Batumi after skiing)
7 - Fly Home 17:40 for arrival in Gatwick at 22:35 if from UK
Georgia is a unique and often challenging place to travel, and a relaxed following of itinerary is essential, but the rewards are fantastic.
the food is great, the prices even better, it's possibly the best £ for powder ratio on the planet.
Valfrejus slackcountry from 2025 Trip
Price includes
all local transfers,
hotels,
most food,
3 days cat
guiding Mestia 4.5 days and Cat 3 days
Lift Passes
Price excludes
International Flights,
Travel Insurance
Lunches in Mestia area,
Any food after leaving Mestia on 6th,
Hotel in Batumi on 6th
(last trip this was about €20 each)
Beer, snacks…
The damage - £2750
30% deposit to secure a place, balance to be paid at least 1 month before start date.
Your contract is with the Georgia Guide Office, all payment is made directly to the Georgia Guide Office, under their T+C’s.
Georgia Guide Office makes all on mountain decision making and will supply all local transportation.
Minimum for the trip to run is 6 people, with a maximum of 11 places (full cat).
Riding the Cat in Georgia
This is my third trip to Georgia, and the reason I keep coming back isn’t just the world class terrain, which is a draw on its own, but the amazing food, culture, and warm welcome that makes Georgia my favorite place to ride.
Georgia Guide Office
Ilia Berulava is a man on a mission, not only has he set up the Georgia Guide Office from scratch, he was also instrumental in gaining IFMGA recognition for the mountain guide training in Georgia. He loves the mountains of his homeland, and what’s on offer in this special part of the world.
After training as a guide in Chamonix Ilia returned home to set up his own little Chamonix in the village of Mestia, high in the Svaneti region of the caucasus mountains, close to the Russian border. It’s been a great success, increasing local on mountain employment, filling hotel rooms and showcasing the regions abundant pow to the world.
Packing List
Touring Equipment:
Needed:
Splitboard/skiis with touring bindings
Climbing skins
Good quality boots
Ski poles (adjustable preferably), with wide baskets
Backpack 30-45L, avalanche bag not obligatory but recommended
Avalanche transceiver (can be supplied by Upguides)
Avalanche probe (can be supplied by Upguides)
Metal avalanche shovel (can be supplied by Upguides)
Preferable:
Ice axe, ski straps, binding repair kit, snowboard tool, single malt
Clothing:
Technical and warm underwear, preferably wool. Think several layers for the upper body, long and short sleeved tech t-shirts, ski socks, softshell jacket, hardshell jackets & pants (or bibs), light puff jacket or vest, warm down jacket, gloves (2 pairs, one thin, one thick), neck protection, face protection (buff or more advanced), warm hat.
Gear:
Helmet, sunglasses and goggles, thermos bottle, water bottle, your own first aid kit with personal medication, spare batteries for your transceiver, sun screen, phone.
Trip specifics:
A sense of adventure, a flexible attitude, an ability to adapt, and a good sense of humour all appreciated .