RACHA, GEORGIA

GUIDED SKI & SPLITBOARD EXPEDITION

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Our past experiences in Svaneti taught us two things: 1) Georgia is amazing, and 2) There is so much more to explore. So, in 2022 we set our sights on a littler-known zone called Racha. While visible from the summits of Upper Svaneti, Racha is accessible via a completely different network of roads and is one of the most isolated and sparsely populated areas in the country, cradled by a spur of the Greater Caucasus with Russia to the north and the occupied territory of South Ossetia to the east. For all of the historical drama that characterizes the region, Racha remains a peaceful mountain paradise with its own ancient traditions—a place where Georgian locals flock in the summer to cool off, eat good food, and drink wine.

About 5 years prior to our first visit to Racha we began to take note of some Ukranians who were “opening up” the area for riding. One of them in particular, who has since passed away in a paragliding accident, documented what are arguably some of the greatest lines ever ridden in the southern Caucasus. But as impressed as we were, we understood that their camps were +4 hours in, with gear and food needing to be shouldered without any support. A little ambitious, even for us. So when a guide friend, also Ukrainian and based in Georgia, reached out to us regarding a new backcountry camp in Racha that would solve our concerns, we were all in. And with our minds blown by our first visit in 2022 and second in 2023, you better believe we are all in again for 2024!

2024 DATES

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FEBRUARY 16-25

6 DAYS RIDING/10 DAYS TOTAL

DETAILS

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Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, has become one of our favorite cities in the world, and with a full day there at the beginning of the trip and afternoon and evening at the end, you’ll understand why. Our base in Tbilisi will be a beautiful hotel with rooftop restaurant in Old Town, the perfect launch pad for exploring the surrounding cobblestone streets, historic neighborhoods and markets.

From Tbilisi, it is a ~5-hour drive through the countryside and up and over Shkmeri Pass (where we’ll catch our first glimpse of the peaks of Racha) before we descend to the quiet town of Oni on the banks of the Rioni River. We’ll check in to a friendly family-run guesthouse, and gather in the 200-year-old back house for epic fireside meals with homemade wine and chacha (Georgian brandy). As much a museum as a guesthouse, each room is adorned with local art and historical relics collected by the family. From the upper deck there are direct views of the south and southeast faces of the peaks we’ll be camping in.

The following morning we’ll load up the Soviet military jeeps and push 25km/15mi up valley to the north side of the peaks seen from Oni. With remote villages like Chiora and Ghebi inhabited year round, the road from Oni is “maintained,” albeit nothing more than a single lane cleared by bulldozers through an impressively deep snowpack. At a nondescript part of the road—marked only by huge views up a side valley of the magnificent Lagora Peak (3,057m/10,030ft)—we’ll ditch the jeeps and meet the snowmobile which will shuttle our bags to camp. For us, on skis and splits, it’s a ~2-hour tour through the forest following a summer road.

Camp—truly our home away from home for the week—sits just below treeline at 1,820m/5,970ft, tucked away and protected but with views of distant peaks to the north and east. In addition to the riding the zone has to offer, the camp setup is the other real showstopper featuring a spacious dining tent with full kitchen and running water, sleeping tents each with 2 beds, a dresser, wood-burning stove and hangers for drying gear, and even a small banya (sauna) tent with hot shower which we’ll fire up every other night or so. Meals are made from scratch by our partners and two different types of Georgian wine flow like water.

Depending on weather, snow conditions and group goals, we will be able to choose between forest or alpine riding, with the best days ticking both boxes. Options in the alpine get steeper the further up you push, with some lines dropping from +3,000m/9,850ft and offering continuous riding back to camp (the lower portions are great for party shreds). The forests are a mix of birch, beech and evergreen trees, making for some awesome riding. Some zones are playful and pillowy, others are quite steep and technical, and all are oftentimes really deep!

After 6 days exploring this unique zone and living it up in one of the most styled-out basecamps of all time, we’ll return to Oni for a celebratory night at the guesthouse, where the wine and chacha will continue to flow and we’ll be treated to a performance by some local singers. The next day it’s back to Tbilisi for a final afternoon and evening in Old Town.

GUIDES

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Our 2024 Racha expedition will be lead guided by ACMG guide Jessica Taylor with support from local guide Serhii Ichenets. Serhii guided our 2022 and 2023 Racha trips and, as a founder of the camp, knows the zone like the back of his hand. Jessica will also guide our Svaneti expedition the week immediately before. Meet our guides.

BOOKINGS

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USD $3,775/PERSON

6 DAYS RIDING/10 DAYS TOTAL

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ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE REQUIREMENTS

Participants will need to arrive in Tbilisi (airport code TBS) on or before February 16. We will return to Tbilisi by late afternoon/evening on February 24 for departures on the 25th.

PRICE INCLUDES

40 Tribes Lead Guide; Local Tail Guide; Airport transfers on specified arrival/departure dates; 3 nights hotel accommodation in Old Town Tbilisi—nights of February 15 (in case of early morning arrivals), 16 and 24; Private transport between Tbilisi and Oni (approx. 5 hours each way); 2 nights guesthouse accommodation and all meals/wine/chacha in Oni; 4WD transport between Oni and the “trailhead”; 5 nights camp accommodation including made-from-scratch meals, wine/beer/chacha and sauna sessions; 6 days of epic guided skiing/splitboarding!

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

Airfare and baggage fees; Medical/evacuation insurance; Meals in Tbilisi and on transport days to/from Oni; Alcohol other than wine/beer/chacha provided in Oni and at camp; Tips for guides.

BOOKING POLICY

A 20% deposit is required to secure your spot, with the remainder due 4 months prior to the expedition start date. Our cancellation/refund policies can be found here.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Our general terms & conditions can be found here.

RELEASE & WAIVER OF RIGHTS

All participants are required to sign our Release and Waiver of Rights.