Bakuriani

The ski resort in Bakuriani (ბაკურიანი) was established in ancient Soviet times as a training base for Olympic athletes. Now the village has shaken off its Soviet image and is in full development. For challenging tree runs, you’ve come to the right place: even a few days after a new snowfall, you can still enjoy shredding between the trees here.

In a nutshell

• Bakuriani ski resort consists of two parts: Didveli and Kokhta / Kokhta Mitarbi
• bottom lift at 1740m
• top lift at 2702m
• twenty slopes, good for about 30 kilometers of groomed slopes
• 20 lifts
• Season from December till March/April
• treeruns à volonté 

Longer

Bakuriani is about 2.5 hours’ drive from Tbilisi and half an hour from the town of Borjomi, known for its hot springs and mineral water. The winters are severe with a lot of snow, the summers short. Bakuriani is a small area, but has many freeride options. The terrain is varied, with many descents among the trees.

The village is developing quickly, but fortunately manages to retain some local charm. Somehow you end up in the bumper cars after skiing – and after a chacha or two or three – . Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Kukushka train 

Between Borjomi and Bakuriani runs the legendary Borjomi-Kharagauli railway, a railway that dates back to 1902. The train (now an electric train, but a steam train until 1967) is affectionately known as Kukushka (which is a Russian word for a steam engine). Fun fact: at one point the train crosses an impressive bridge, designed by the famous Alexandre Gustave Eiffel! Eiffel drew the bridge on behalf of the Romanovs (the equally legendary Russian tsar family).