Ski & Snow Tour to Bakuriani from Kutaisi with Borjomi Stop

Bakuriani is the star here, but the Borjomi stop gives this long winter day a welcome change of pace. You get snow, mountain views, and plenty of activities, then a quiet park walk and a taste of Georgia’s famous mineral water.

I like the small group limit of seven and the flexible guiding style. Guides such as Jemali, Teona, Aleks, and Mikhail have helped participants arrange equipment, lessons, food, and changes to the day. I also like that children and non-skiers have plenty to do.

The catch is the length. This is a 12-hour outing with several hours in the van, and the main snow activities cost extra. If you want a full day in the mountains from Kutaisi, it is useful. If you want a relaxed ski day, staying in Bakuriani may make more sense.

Key points at a glance

• Taste Borjomi water at its natural spring: A simple, distinctly Georgian stop that takes you beyond the ski resort.
• Choose your own snow day: Skiing, snowboarding, skating, sledding, snowmobiles, horse riding, and toboggan rides are available.
• Ride the Bakuriani gondola to 2,700 meters: A good choice if you want mountain views without spending the day on skis.
• Small groups keep the day flexible: With no more than seven participants, the guide can adjust activities to suit families and mixed abilities.
• Expect a long road day from Kutaisi: The total duration is 12 hours, including about four hours of driving in separate stretches.
• Budget for optional activities: Transport, an English-speaking guide, WiFi, child seats, and Borjomi water tasting are included, but meals and snow activities are not.

From Kutaisi to Georgia’s winter resorts

Your day begins at the Megobari Tours meeting point by the columns in Kutaisi Central Park, in front of the Colchis Fountain. The pickup is early, so you will want to arrive ready for a long day rather than a leisurely start.

The first drive takes about an hour and a half. There is a short coffee stop along the way, which breaks up the early ride before the route continues east toward Borjomi.

Transport is one of the main reasons this experience works. Borjomi and Bakuriani are much easier to combine with a driver than by trying to connect both places independently in one day. You also avoid the trouble of arranging ski gear, finding the right roads, and working out how to get back to Kutaisi after dark.

The tradeoff is clear: you spend a fair share of the day in the van. Families may find the convenience worth it, especially with a child car seat available on request. If you dislike long road trips, the schedule could feel tight.

The vehicle includes free WiFi, and the group size is limited to seven. That is small enough for a more personal day, particularly if the group has different plans. A skier can arrange equipment and lessons while someone else chooses the gondola or a sled.

Borjomi Central Park and the spring water stop

Borjomi is more than a quick roadside break. The town is known throughout Georgia for its mineral water, and the springs have been used by local communities for thousands of years. You will walk through Borjomi Central Park for about an hour and taste the water directly from its spring.

This is a good first stop because it gives the day some local character before the snow activities begin. Borjomi water is commonly enjoyed for digestion and as a refreshing drink after celebrations. The taste is mineral-heavy and distinctive, so do not expect ordinary bottled water.

The park walk is relaxed rather than strenuous. You can stretch your legs, look around the wooded gorge, and enjoy a different setting from the snowy resort ahead. In winter, the park may feel quieter and more subdued, which suits a short morning walk.

Park admission is optional and costs 5 GEL. The water tasting is included, so you can keep the stop inexpensive if you do not want to add anything else.

You may also choose to visit the historic Borjomi mineral water factory. The factory option offers background on the discovery of the water and its bottling in the 19th century. It is a useful addition for anyone interested in Georgian food and drink traditions, but the available time is limited, so you may need to choose between extra sightseeing and a quicker start toward Bakuriani.

There is also an optional vintage cable car in Borjomi. It offers views over the Borjomi Gorge and the surrounding forests, with a ticket price of 30 GEL. I would treat this as a bonus, not a must. The day already includes a gondola option in Bakuriani, and families may prefer to save both time and money for snow activities.

Arriving in Bakuriani after the forested drive

From Borjomi, the drive to Bakuriani takes about an hour. The change in setting is part of the appeal. You leave the spring town and head toward one of Georgia’s best-known winter resorts.

Bakuriani suits mixed groups well because you do not have to commit to skiing. The available activities include:

• Skiing and snowboarding
• Ice skating
• Snowmobiling
• Sledding and toboggan rides
• Horseback riding
• A scenic gondola ride

That range matters. A family with young children can split up without anyone being stuck waiting in a café all afternoon. One person can take a lesson, another can rent a sledge, and someone else can ride the gondola for the views.

Ski and snowboard equipment is available for rent, along with professional instructors. Equipment rental costs about 30 to 50 GEL, while the ski lift costs about 15 to 50 GEL. Prices vary by the activity and the package you choose, so ask the guide to help you understand the local options before paying.

If you have never skied before, this is not presented as a full ski school program. The guide can help arrange lessons, but the quality and length of instruction will depend on what is available at the resort that day. Patricia’s family found this support especially useful, with Teona helping arrange equipment and ski lessons.

The gondola to 2,700 meters

You do not need to ski to enjoy Bakuriani. The scenic gondola climbs to 2,700 meters, where you can look across snow-covered alpine scenery and take a walk at altitude.

This is likely the best choice for a non-skier who still wants the main mountain experience. It also gives you a break from the more active parts of the day. The views are the point, so allow yourself time to look around instead of treating the ride as simple transport.

The Bakuriani ski lift costs between 15 and 50 GEL, depending on the lift or activity. The tour price does not cover it. Ask your guide which lift suits your plans, since the right choice will differ for a beginner, a confident skier, and someone who only wants a scenic ride.

The gondola is also practical for families. You can enjoy the high views without needing to master skis or snowboarding, though small children should be dressed for cold conditions and watched closely in the snow.

Snow activities for families and first-timers

The tour is strongest when your group has mixed interests. Skiing and snowboarding are obvious choices, but they are not the only way to use your time.

Ice skating costs about 20 to 40 GEL. Sled rental costs about 20 to 40 GEL, and a toboggan ride costs about 40 GEL. Snowmobiles and horseback riding are also available, though the exact prices for those options are not given.

For children, sledding and toboggan rides may be easier to enjoy than a first ski lesson. For adults who want a quick taste of snow sports, skating or a short lift ride can make more sense than renting a full set of ski equipment.

I would decide your priorities before arriving. The four hours allocated to Bakuriani can disappear quickly once you collect equipment, change clothes, arrange an instructor, and wait for a lift. A short family discussion in the van can prevent everyone from trying to do every activity.

The guide’s flexibility is a real advantage here. With a small group, the day can be shaped around what you actually want. Previous guides have helped with ski rental, lessons, local food, and general planning. Jemali was also noted for answering questions about Georgian culture and everyday life, so the ride can offer more than directions and ticket help.

Lunch and the long ride back

After the mountain activities, you stop at a local restaurant for about an hour. A traditional Georgian dinner is part of the planned end to the day, but meals and drinks are not included in the price.

That distinction matters. The tour costs $56 per person, which is a reasonable price for a private vehicle, an English-speaking driver-guide, WiFi, the Borjomi stop, and a full day connecting two mountain destinations. Once you add lunch, lift tickets, gear, lessons, skating, or sledding, your actual spending will rise.

The restaurant stop gives you a chance to eat before the two-hour drive back to Kutaisi. The food itself is not fixed in the information provided, but Georgian dishes are part of the intended experience. One family particularly enjoyed traditional food and nazuki bread during the day.

Do not treat lunch as optional if you plan to ski or take part in several activities. Cold air and physical activity make a proper meal useful, and the return ride is long enough that you will appreciate not being hungry.

You should reach the original meeting point at Kutaisi Central Park after the return drive. The day lasts about 12 hours from pickup to drop-off, so keep your evening plans light.

What the $56 price really covers

At $56 per person, the tour is priced as a transport and guiding service rather than an all-inclusive snow package. The included elements are:

• Transportation for the full day
• An English-speaking guide-driver
• Free WiFi in the car
• A child car seat if needed
• Borjomi water tasting

You pay separately for Borjomi Park admission, the Borjomi cable car, Bakuriani lifts, ice skating, sleds, toboggan rides, ski rental, meals, drinks, and insurance.

That structure can be good value if you want choice. You only pay for the activities you actually use. A non-skier who takes the gondola and enjoys the park will spend less than someone renting skis, hiring an instructor, and using several lifts.

It is less attractive if you want every activity bundled into one clear price. Before departure, set a rough spending limit for your group. Families in particular can quickly add extra fees when several people rent equipment or try separate activities.

Travel or skiing insurance is not included. If you plan to ski or snowboard, check that your own policy covers the activity before you go.

Guides, group size, and the human side of the day

The experience depends heavily on the guide because the schedule includes several choices. The English-speaking guides named in the feedback include Jemali, Teona, Aleks, and Mikhail.

Jemali is described as answering questions about Georgian culture and local people while adjusting the day for a very small group. Teona helped a family with equipment rental and ski lessons, and also introduced them to Georgian food. Those details matter because the guide is not simply driving between points. You may need help choosing activities, understanding prices, finding equipment, or deciding how to use limited time.

The group limit is seven participants. This is not a large coach excursion, and the smaller size helps with communication. It also means the guide can respond when one person wants a gondola ride and another wants to ski.

A private version may be available for a more customized day. One participant specifically recommended choosing a private tour to shape the schedule around personal preferences. The standard small-group format already offers flexibility, but a private booking is worth considering if your family has very different ages or activity levels.

Who should book this day?

I would recommend it to you if you are based in Kutaisi and want to see both Borjomi and Bakuriani without arranging several transport legs yourself. It is especially useful for families, first-time visitors to Georgia, and mixed groups with skiers and non-skiers.

It also suits you if you want a taste of winter sports rather than a serious multi-day ski holiday. You can ski, take a lesson, ride a gondola, or simply enjoy the snow and scenery.

I would hesitate if your main goal is maximum skiing time. The drive from Kutaisi, Borjomi stop, lunch, equipment rental, and return journey leave only about four hours at Bakuriani. A dedicated ski day in or near the resort would give you more time on the slopes.

The same warning applies if you want a slow sightseeing day. This trip covers a lot of ground and has a fixed return to Kutaisi. It is active, useful, and full, but not leisurely.

Should you book the Bakuriani and Borjomi day trip?

Book this tour if you value convenience, flexible planning, and variety more than a long uninterrupted ski session. The $56 base price is fair for a full-day vehicle and guide, especially when you consider the difficulty of combining Borjomi and Bakuriani independently.

Plan your extra costs before you leave. Choose one or two main activities in Bakuriani, carry money for food and tickets, and tell the guide early if you need equipment or a lesson. If your group includes non-skiers or children, the gondola, sledding, skating, and park walk make the day much easier to enjoy.

For a first winter outing from Kutaisi, this is a well-rounded choice. For expert skiers, it is better viewed as a scenic introduction to Bakuriani than as a dedicated day on the slopes.

FAQ

Where does the tour start in Kutaisi?

The guide meets you at the Kutaisi Central Park columns, in front of the Colchis Fountain, at the Megobari Tours meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts about 12 hours, including transport from Kutaisi, time in Borjomi and Bakuriani, lunch, and the return drive.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes. The tour is designed to work well for families, and a child car seat is available if needed. Bakuriani offers sledding, skating, toboggan rides, and other activities in addition to skiing.

What is included in the price?

Transportation, an English-speaking guide-driver, free WiFi in the car, a child car seat if needed, and Borjomi mineral water tasting are included.

Do I need to pay extra for skiing and other activities?

Yes. Bakuriani lift tickets, ski rental, skating, sleds, and toboggan rides are optional extras. Meals, drinks, and travel or skiing insurance are also not included.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers reserve-now, pay-later booking.