Ski Touring on Kazbek from the South, 7 Days

The southern route on Kazbek begins in Kazbegi, also known as Stepantsminda. The first acclimatisation outing goes to the Gergeti Trinity church at about 2170 m. The group then climbs by way of the Saberce Pass to the Meteo Station at 3600 m and makes a separate outing to 4000 m before the summit attempt.

The route crosses a glacier. Even with a comparatively clear line of travel, participants must be able to work with skins and ski crampons, move on a rope team and use mountaineering crampons and an ice axe. The upper part may require walking on firn or ice, so Kazbek cannot be presented as an easy ski tour for beginners.

Participants cover the snow-covered part of the approach on skis. In spring, horses are used only to carry separately paid loads and come up at most as far as the Saberce Pass; in deep snow the unloading point may be lower. Participants do not hand their skis to the horses and do not carry them along the route as separate freight.

The main accommodation on the mountain is the Meteo Station. Tents beside it are a reserve option in case there is no space, and they are used only after prior agreement. That format avoids promising a participant a night under canvas where none is needed, while keeping a workable option for busy dates.

During the ascent, the state of the glacier, the snow bridges, the upper couloir and the avalanche situation may require a changeover from skis to mountaineering crampons. The guide sets the start time, the line of travel, the turnaround point and the place where the ski descent begins. The summit and an unbroken descent from it are not guaranteed.

Ski-touring skis, boots, bindings, skins and ski crampons are not available for hire, so each participant brings their own complete compatible ski set.

Day 1. The group meets in Kazbegi. Participants make their own way to Kazbegi, also known as Stepantsminda, and check into the hotel. In the evening they meet the guide, go through the southern route and have their ski-touring, avalanche and glacier equipment checked. Particular attention is paid to the compatibility of skis, bindings, skins, ski crampons, boots and mountaineering crampons. Night in a hotel.

Day 2. Acclimatisation outing to the Gergeti Trinity church, 2170 m. This unhurried outing helps acclimatisation begin without a sharp gain in altitude and at the same time lets the clothing, the footwear and the pace of the group be checked. After returning to Kazbegi, participants prepare their personal load for the mountain part and go over the use of the avalanche kit with the guide. Night in a hotel.

Day 3. Climb to the Meteo Station, 3600 m, by way of the Saberce Pass, 3000 m. The group covers the snow-covered part of the approach on skis. The climb takes roughly 7 to 9 hours and is the main gain in altitude before the acclimatisation outing. In spring, horses, if they are ordered separately, carry loads at most as far as the Saberce Pass; in deep snow the unloading point may be lower. The main option for the night is the Meteo Station; tents beside it are used only as an agreed reserve option. Dinner and night at the Meteo Station.

Day 4. Acclimatisation and training outing to 4000 m. The group climbs above the Meteo Station without the aim of reaching the summit. The outing helps the body adapt and allows travel on skins, the use of ski crampons, the changeover to mountaineering crampons and roped work to be practised. The high point and the form of the descent are set by the guide according to the state of the glacier and of the participants. After returning, rest and preparation for an early start. Night at the Meteo Station.

Day 5. Summit attempt on Kazbek, 5033 m. An early start. The climb crosses the glacier on a rope team; on firn, ice and the upper section, mountaineering crampons and an ice axe are used. Every participant carries a personal ice screw on its own karabiner. An unbroken ascent and descent from the summit on skis are not guaranteed: the point at which the group changes to crampons, the turnaround point and the place where the ski descent begins are all set by the guide. After the attempt the group returns to the Meteo Station. Night at the Meteo Station.

Day 6. Reserve day or descent to Kazbegi. If conditions did not allow a summit attempt the day before, the day may be used for a second outing at the guide’s decision. If the ascent took place, the group descends to Kazbegi and checks into the hotel. The order of the descent depends on the state of the snow; in spring horses come up at most as far as the Saberce Pass, and the actual unloading point may be lower. In the evening, rest and the end of the mountain part of the trip. Night in a hotel if the group has descended.

Day 7. End of the trip. After breakfast, participants leave Kazbegi. A transfer to the airport or the railway station is arranged only on prior request and is not part of the standard list of transfers in the itinerary.

• Mountain Guide’s guides: a lead guide throughout the trip
• Assistant guides on summit day; no more than three participants to one guide
• Transfers from Kazbegi to the start of the mountain route and back
• Hotel accommodation in Kazbegi in twin rooms, for the number of nights set out in the itinerary
• Main accommodation on the mountain in the Meteo Station building
• Tented accommodation beside the Meteo Station only as a previously agreed reserve option
• Three meals a day on the mountain part of the route
• Breakfasts during the hotel stay
• Assistance with obtaining the necessary permits
• Group glacier and rescue equipment and a group first-aid kit

• International and domestic flights
• Transfers to Kazbegi and from Kazbegi after the trip ends
• Horses, porters and the carriage of personal baggage
• Lunches and dinners during the hotel stay
• Personal ski-touring, avalanche and mountaineering equipment
• Medical insurance and the costs of search and rescue, transport and evacuation
• The visa and other entry documents where these are required by the participant’s nationality
• Single occupancy
• Personal expenses, drinks, communications and additional services
• Costs arising from change to the itinerary beyond the included scope of services

The Kazbek ski tour from the south can be arranged for a private group of adults on agreed dates, subject to a guiding team, space at the Meteo Station and suitable snow conditions. The format suits groups of friends, climbing clubs and corporate groups of comparable ability.

Before confirming the trip we assess each participant’s ski touring experience, their technique for controlled descent off-piste, their fitness and their skills in crampons and on a rope. A family format is possible for adult relatives who meet these requirements. The trip is not intended for children or for beginner skiers.

A private group can agree the dates, additional reserve days, a dedicated guide, the standard of accommodation, carriage of loads by horse and transfers to Kazbegi. Changes must not shorten the acclimatisation or reduce the safety of the glacier route. Get in touch for a quote.

To join the Kazbek ski tour you need to prepare:

• A passport valid for the period of the trip
• Tickets to the start of the trip and back
• A visa and any other documents required to enter Georgia on your nationality
• Medical insurance valid in Georgia and covering ski touring, off-piste skiing and mountaineering to at least 5100 m, search and rescue, transport and medical evacuation

Check the entry requirements before you buy non-refundable tickets. We recommend keeping digital copies of your passport, insurance, tickets and visa documents on your phone and in cloud storage, separately from the originals.

The Kazbek ski tour runs in the snow season, but the snow line, the state of the glacier and whether loads can be carried by horse all change through the spring and early summer. A date in the calendar guarantees nothing about the conditions on the approach or the descent.

On the glacier you can meet fresh snow, wind slab, hidden crevasses, hard névé, ice and poor visibility. On the upper section the wind and the state of the snow may call for a switch from skis to mountaineering crampons and for moving roped up.

In spring the horses reach the Saberce pass at most; with deep snow the unloading point may be lower. Each day your guide confirms the start time, the line of the route, how the group will move and whether a summit attempt is possible.

In Kazbegi participants stay in a hotel or guest house, in twin rooms. On the mountain the main accommodation is the Meteo Station building. Tents beside it are used only as a fallback agreed in advance, if there is no space.

Breakfasts are included at the hotel. Three meals a day are provided on the mountain section. Lunches and dinners in Kazbegi are paid separately.

Food allergies, medical restrictions and a vegetarian or other special diet must be reported in advance. Whether a separate menu is possible at the Meteo Station depends on what food is available and is confirmed before the trip.

The hotel in Kazbegi has the usual facilities. At the Meteo Station the accommodation is shared, personal space is scarce and the level of comfort is below that of a hotel.

Do not count on constant hot water, a shower, a reliable signal, internet or being able to charge devices every day. Electricity and the chance to dry things depend on how the Meteo Station is actually running and on how busy it is.

You need a power bank, spare batteries, waterproof packing for documents and electronics, and a tidy system for stowing your ski and glacier equipment. If the tented fallback is used, you will also need a sleeping mat and sleeping bag agreed with your guide.

Kazbek calls for a full set of ski touring, avalanche and glacier equipment. Avalanche equipment can be reserved in advance from Rock and Rent. Touring skis, boots, bindings, skins and ski crampons are not available for hire.

Documents

• Passport
• Tickets
• Insurance policy
• A visa and any other entry documents, where these are required

Ski-touring and avalanche kit

• Ski-touring skis with bindings that have a walk mode
• Skins, trimmed to your own skis
• Ski crampons compatible with your bindings
• Warm touring boots compatible with your bindings and with mountaineering crampons
• Adjustable ski poles with winter baskets
• Avalanche transceiver and a spare set of batteries
• Avalanche probe at least 240 cm long
• Avalanche shovel
• Ski or climbing helmet
• A 50-60 litre rucksack with a ski carry system
• A transport holdall for your load, if you are booking baggage carriage

Glacier and climbing equipment

• Mountaineering crampons compatible with ski-touring boots
• Classic ice axe
• Climbing harness
• Four karabiners, at least two of them screwgate
• Two prusik loops, or accessory cord, as your guide advises
• Cow’s-tail lanyard
• One personal ice screw on its own karabiner
• Head torch and a spare set of batteries

Overnight equipment

• A sleeping bag with a comfort rating agreed for the dates of the trip
• An insulating sleeping mat, for the tented fallback option
• Your own eating utensils

Clothing and footwear

• Base layer, top and bottoms
• Warm mid layer
• Softshell jacket and trousers for walking
• waterproof shell jacket with a hood
• waterproof shell trousers that can be pulled on over your boots
• Warm down or synthetic jacket with a hood
• Thin gloves for the ascent
• Warm ski gloves and high-altitude mittens
• Warm hat, buff or balaclava
• Warm ski-touring socks
• Light footwear for Kazbegi

Personal items

• Category 3-4 mountain sunglasses
• Ski goggles for wind and poor visibility
• Vacuum flask, 1 litre, without a push-button lid
• SPF 30-50 sun cream and lip balm with SPF
• A personal first-aid kit suited to your own medical needs
• Power bank, and waterproof packing for documents and electronics