Chasing powder in Georgia: A cat skiing trip to Bakhmaro
Deep snow, playful terrain, and a freeride experience shaped by storm cycles rolling in from the Black Sea.
This winter, while much of the Alps sat under high pressure and dry spells, Georgia kept lighting up on the charts. Storms rolled in from the Black Sea, stacking snowfall deep into the Lesser Caucasus. Mailin and Joel followed the forecast to Bakhmaro, and we caught up with them to hear what the experience was really like.
What sparked the idea to go cat skiing in Georgia?
The idea started with the weather forecast. While the Alps were going through a dry period with barely any fresh snow, Georgia kept lighting up on the snow charts. Storm after storm was rolling in from the Black Sea, and it quickly became clear that conditions there were on a different level.
Georgia has a unique geography where moist air is pushed up into the mountains of the Lesser Caucasus, cooling and dropping huge amounts of snow. That is why places like Bakhmaro can see incredibly deep powder throughout the winter.
There was also some inspiration behind it. Riders like Nikolai Schirmer had already been there, and friends had shared stories about how unreal the snow can be. With the Alps looking dry and Georgia looking like a powder factory, the decision came together pretty quickly. Sometimes the forecast simply tells you where to go.
What was your first reaction when you arrived in Bakhmaro and saw the terrain?
The first reaction was that it looked like a playground.
Bakhmaro sits at around 2,000 meters, surrounded by forested peaks rising up to about 2,700. What stands out straight away is how friendly and playful the terrain feels. There are endless tree runs, open forest sections, and natural pillows everywhere.
It is very different from the bigger alpine terrain you might expect from Georgia. Instead of steep, exposed faces, the landscape feels softer and more flowing. You can move through the trees, link features together, and just enjoy the ride.
It immediately felt like a place where you could spend days exploring new lines.
How did the cat skiing format and conditions shape the way you rode and chose lines?
Cat skiing in Bakhmaro gives you a huge amount of freedom.
Instead of relying on lifts or long tours, the snowcat becomes your way of moving through the terrain. It takes you to different ridges and peaks, opening up a wide range of options. The guides can adapt throughout the day, choosing the best runs depending on the snow and weather.
That changes your mindset completely. You are not thinking about how to get back or how much energy you need to save. You are just focused on finding the best line.
Every run starts fresh, and each descent feels like a new opportunity. It gives you the feeling that almost everything is open to explore.
Was there a moment that really summed up the trip?
There was one moment that captured everything.
It was around minus fifteen, with about fifty centimeters of fresh snow overnight. Dropping into one of the forest runs, everything went quiet. The kind of silence you only get in deep powder.
The snow absorbed every sound, and each turn sent cold smoke drifting through the trees. It felt like a hidden place, completely untouched.
Floating through the forest, run after run with no one else around, that was the moment that really stayed with us.
What surprised you most about Georgia, both on and off the mountain?
Before the trip, Georgia was mostly associated with big alpine terrain in places like Svaneti. But Bakhmaro is very different.
The terrain is more accessible and more playful, which makes it enjoyable for a wider range of riders. You do not need to chase extreme lines to have an incredible experience.
Off the mountain, the biggest surprise was the atmosphere. Even though Bakhmaro is remote and takes some effort to reach, the hospitality, the food, and the overall feeling of the place were amazing.
It feels authentic and unfiltered in a way that is becoming harder to find in more established ski destinations.
What makes this a bucket list trip, and would you go back?
It is the combination of everything that makes it special.
The snow, the terrain, the journey to get there, and the people all come together to create something unique. Bakhmaro still feels undiscovered, with no lift lines and no crowded slopes.
Instead, you are exploring untouched terrain in a small group, with the freedom to move through the mountains and find your own lines.
For anyone who loves powder and adventure, it is absolutely a bucket list trip.
And yes, it is definitely a place we would go back to.
Shop the MONTEC gear worn on the trip
