Freeride School

Gudauri is the perfect place for freeride and has the reputation for the best powder accessible from chairlifts. Gudauri Hut offers programs to learn freeride as well as programs for off-piste skiing and boarding with certified guides.

The freeride program below is designed for newcomers to freeride as well as for experienced off-piste skiers and boarders wishing to improve their skills on powder. During the program you will learn to confidently ski/board off-piste, chose correct slopes and gain key mountain safety and rescue knowledge. The program is run on a variety of slopes and in various snow conditions in mountains of up to 3300 metres high.

Gia Apakidze, the manager of Gudauri Alpine Hotel, is the main program guide. Gia is an experienced mountain guide, certified jointly by the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (Switzerland) and the Georgian State Mountain Guide School. Gia has a 12 year experience of heliski guiding in Gudauri and has a wide experience in guiding groups in the mountains of the Kazbegi region both in winter and in summer.
Below is a typical 8 day freeride program. Programs can be designed to suit the group's specific requirements. For additional information including prices and bookings please ring:
Gia Apakidze: + 995 99 27 22 91

Freeride Program

Day 1
Arrival in Tbilisi. Meet & greet at Tbilisi airport. Transfer to Gudauri (2 hours). Check-in at Gudauri Hut.

Day 2
Equipment testing. Formation of two groups based on individual level of ski/boarding.

Day 3
Learning the principles of skiing/boarding in powder. Weight distribution. Synchronised movements and rhythm.

Day 4
Learning the 'lightening' technique on various types of slopes and snow cover. Individual advice on improving off-piste skiing/boarding technique.

Day 5
Selecting the correct turn radius. Control of speed and synchronised sliding on various types of slopes and snow cover.

Day 6
Brief overview of safety measures and rescue techniques during off-piste. Choice of slope. Evaluating the risk of avalanche. Search techniques using beepers.

Day 7
Final day. Test of individual ski/boarding technique and safety/rescue techniques.

Day 8
Transfer Gudauri - Tbilisi (airport).

Compulsory Equipment