Mestia is the administrative center of the Svaneti region in Georgia. This is a good place for mountain lovers, here is the highest mountain in the country – Shara, 5201 m. The local ski resorts of Mestia offer different programs – from ski slalom to snowboarding. Large tourist bases are Tetnuldi and Hatsvali. Tourists and travelers from Russia and Europe love to relax here.
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About the region
Svaneti is an alpine territory in the Central Caucasus, located in the southern part. This region covers the highest mountainous regions of the Caucasus Range. It is the highest inhabited area in all of Europe. According to UNESCO, the famous village of Ushguli near Mestia is the highest settlement on the continent, located at an altitude of 2200 m above sea level.
Not so long ago, every winter in Svaneti made it completely isolated from the rest of the world. The impassable roads, covered with snowdrifts, and the weather forced them to live on the reserves accumulated in the summer. The situation began to change in 2010, when the Mestia ski resorts began to be built, Hatsvali became the first.
Stages of tourism development of the region:
- In 2010, a small airport opens near Mestia. It is located in the northern part of the city, on the Mestichala River.
- A new road has been built leading from the center of Mestia to the ski resorts.
- The winter recreation center is located in upper Svaneti, at an altitude of 1500 m. Khatsvali Hotel operates here, where you can order dishes of national cuisine. Nearby there is a ski equipment rental service.
The climate is humid, winters are cold and summers are short. The average January temperature is 6.5 degrees below zero. Off-piste skiing is possible in Hatswala, which is especially appreciated by experienced skiers. Downhill skiing outside the borders is strictly prohibited in most other European resorts.
Recreation center Tetnuldi
This ski resort was opened in Mestia in 2016. Tetnuldi is located 15 km from the administrative center of Svaneti. The advantage is that the slopes are in the shade, which does not affect the quality of the snow cover. You can ski and snowboard off the slopes. Ski lifts and saddle lifts are in operation.
Description of the recreation center Tetnuldi:
- the resort is located at an altitude of up to 2350 m;
- elevation difference – 450 m;
- there are slopes for beginners, blue and red;
- there is a forest growing in the freeride area, you need to ride carefully.
The cost of the lift is 300 rubles. per day. There are three lifts in operation, it is planned to open 6 more. The number of slopes will be increased to 25, the freeride track is 9 km. This is the most developing ski resort in Mestia, which aims to compete with Gudauri.
There is a hotel for accommodation, in winter rooms must be booked in advance. For beginners, they offer the services of an instructor. A training track with a length of 300 m is suitable for children. There is an emergency medical service at the recreation center.
Ski resort Hatsvali
Its attraction is the highest mountain Shkhara. The recreation center Hatsvali is located 8 km from the administrative center of Mestia. It is not as developed as Tetnuldi, but prices are lower here. The resort is suitable for experienced skiers and freeride enthusiasts. At the lower lift station, located at an altitude of 1860 m, there is a rental of skis, snowboards and equipment.
On the lift cabins of four chairs. For professional skiers there is a red slope 1900 m long. There are obstacles on it, the terrain is not uniform. For beginners, a green track of 2600 m is suitable, which is given a “green” classification. For training, a preparatory descent of 300 m is used.
For accommodation, you can book a hotel room or rent a house in the village of Mestia. The hotel provides breakfast; you can order complex meals. You need to try the dishes of the national Georgian cuisine. The cost of living in a hotel is from 105 GEL per day.
How to get there
To travel in Mestia, you can take a fixed-route taxi. But the road will be winding, so this option is not suitable for people with an unstable vestibular apparatus. For such cases, choose a flight to the local airport. This route is operated by Cessna light aircraft with a capacity of up to 5 people.
For experienced drivers, the option of renting a car is suitable. When choosing a transport, weather conditions are taken into account. In winter, you need to take a 4×4 SUV. Otherwise, there is a chance of getting stuck on the road, as they are not often cleared of snow. This is the fastest way to get to the Mestia ski resorts.
Sights of Mestia
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, there are several natural attractions in Mestia. They are visited with a guide; as full-fledged group tours have not yet been organized. Independent travel to these places is dangerous, trails and places for hiking are not marked on the maps.
Chalaadi Glacier
Hiking trails lead to it. The advantage of this excursion is that you do not need good physical preparation. This is the only place in Mestia where there are good paths and trails with signs. Children can be taken on this trip, taking into account the decrease in the oxygen content in the air. It takes 2-3 days to adjust.
The route starts from the central observation deck. Then you need to proceed to the suspension bridge. There is a small cafe where you can drink coffee and have breakfast. The next point of the route is a hike through the winter forest. Destination – Chalaadi Glacier.
Mount Ushba
It has a specific shape, which is often found in the Alps. For climbing, choose the southern or northern slope. Difficulty level – 4A-6A. The height of the peak is 4690 m. Beginners are offered routes from the ski resort of Mestia, the village of Becho. This will be the southern slope, the gentlest.
The length of the route is 10 km, the average climbing time is 8 hours. Along the way, you can make halts for rest and photo shoots. The journey passes near waterfalls, natural mineral springs. But drinking water must be taken with you. This excursion is not recommended for people with health problems – heart failure, respiratory diseases.
Conclusions on the resort
Rest in the ski resorts of Mestia is suitable for amateurs and professional skiers. For this, a recreation center is created, descents of varying complexity are made. It is planned to build additional lifts, hotels, inns and guest houses at the recreation centers.
Mestia is a convenient place in Georgia for freeriding. Routes pass through open areas, wooded areas. They are located near the usual slopes, next to the ski lifts.