Ski & Snow Tour to Bakuriani from Kutaisi with Borjomi Stop

Bakuriani is the main event here: a snowy mountain resort where you can ski, ride a sled, take a gondola, or simply enjoy the high views without planning a full ski holiday. The trip also adds Borjomi’s mineral springs and a relaxed stop on the way east.

I like the small maximum of seven people and the flexible plan. I also like the careful, friendly guiding, with Teona, Mikiel, Eva, and Jacko singled out by name in guest feedback. The main drawback is the long 12-hour day, and snow conditions can be uncertain, especially in spring.

Key points to know before booking

• Two mountain towns in one day: You visit Borjomi first, then continue to Bakuriani for winter activities.
• Flexible snow time: You can choose skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, sledding, snowmobiling, toboggan rides, or horseback riding.
• Small-group transport: The vehicle carries no more than seven people, with an English-speaking guide.
• Optional high views: A gondola ride can take you to about 2,700 meters for wide mountain views.
• Extra costs add up: Ski hire, lifts, skating, sledges, toboggans, and the Borjomi gondola are paid directly to local providers.
• Weather matters: If poor conditions force cancellation, you can move to another date or receive a full refund.

Why this Kutaisi day trip works

This is a good way to reach Georgia’s winter mountains without arranging a rental car, checking road conditions, or working out local equipment hire. You are picked up at the Megobari Tours meeting point beside the Colchis Fountain in central Kutaisi, then driven east in an air-conditioned vehicle.

The day lasts about 12 hours, so you need to accept a full schedule. Still, the route has a useful rhythm. Borjomi gives you a gentler first stop, while Bakuriani supplies the snow and activity time. The return to Kutaisi comes after a traditional Georgian dinner, giving the day a pleasant finish rather than ending as soon as the last lift closes.

The small group size matters. With no more than seven people, the guide can ask what you want to do and adjust the timing. That is more useful here than on a rigid coach trip, since not everyone wants to ski. One person may want a gondola ride, another may prefer sledding, and someone else may simply want photos in the snow.

Leaving Kutaisi beside the Colchis Fountain

Your starting point is the Megobari Tours meeting point at the Colchis Fountain in Kutaisi. Pickup is in central Kutaisi, and the activity ends at the same meeting point.

The day begins with a short coffee stop before the mountain drive. This is a small detail, but it helps on a long outing. You can get settled, collect yourself, and prepare for the road before the first major stop.

Transport is by air-conditioned vehicle, and a child car seat is available if needed. The tour is offered in English. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the group limit of seven keeps the ride more personal than a large bus excursion.

Several guide names appear in the company’s feedback, including Teona, Mikiel, Eva, and Jacko, with Jacko possibly being a nickname or a different spelling. The important point is that the guide also acts as the driver, so a calm and careful road style matters. Mikiel was especially praised for driving smoothly on slippery roads, a useful quality on a winter mountain route.

Borjomi Central Park and the spring water

Borjomi is more than a quick roadside photo stop. Its Central Park gives you a chance to walk, stretch your legs, and see the setting around the resort town. The area is known for natural beauty and its mineral water, which you can taste during the visit.

The free tasting is included. You can also choose to pay the optional Borjomi park entrance fee, listed as 5 Georgian lari per person. That small charge is not included in the tour price, so keep a little Georgian currency available if you want access to the paid park area.

Borjomi’s water is part of Georgia’s everyday culture and commercial story. The stop makes sense because you are not only looking at a mountain town, you are sampling one of its best-known local products. It also gives the day variety before you reach the snow.

You may also have time to visit the historic factory, depending on the timing and the group’s interests. For a higher view, the vintage cable car is another option. The cable car is paid separately, just like the Bakuriani activities. Ask the guide about the available timing before committing, since every extra stop takes time from the snow portion of the day.

One practical warning: Borjomi is not guaranteed to be snowy. A spring visit may bring green or bare ground here, even when higher slopes around Bakuriani have snow. Do not judge the whole trip by the first stop.

Bakuriani and the search for reliable snow

Bakuriani is the main reason to book this outing. It is a Georgian ski resort suited to both active sports and simple family fun. You can select from skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snowmobiling, sledding, toboggan rides, and horseback riding.

The choice is useful if your group has mixed interests. You do not have to be an experienced skier to enjoy the resort. Sledding and tobogganing can provide a quick taste of winter fun, while ice skating offers another option for people who want an activity but do not want to tackle a ski slope.

Equipment and instructors are available, though the cost is extra. Ski rental and lift access are not part of the tour price. The same applies to ice skating, sledges, toboggans, and other paid activities. Ask Megobari Tours for current prices before booking if your budget is tight, since several small charges can turn into a larger total.

Snow conditions can change with the season. One spring outing found no snow in Borjomi or the lower part of Bakuriani, but the guide helped arrange local four-wheel-drive transport to reach higher ground. That led to snowy mountain views and an unexpected bear sighting on the return route. This is a reminder of two things: the guide may help adapt the plan, but snow is never guaranteed, and wildlife encounters should be treated with caution rather than expected as part of the tour.

The gondola ride to 2,700 meters

The scenic gondola is one of the strongest options for anyone who wants mountain views without spending the day on skis. It can take you to around 2,700 meters, giving you a much higher viewpoint over the surrounding mountains.

The ride is optional and costs extra. If you are traveling with children, non-skiers, or someone who simply wants photographs and fresh mountain air, it may be a better use of money than renting equipment. If your priority is skiing, you may prefer to put that money toward lift access and instruction.

Ask the guide how much time the gondola will take on the day. The tour is flexible, but it is still a single-day return from Kutaisi. You cannot fit every activity into the schedule, so choose one or two priorities before you arrive.

A flexible plan, not a fixed ski lesson

The tour is designed around the interests of the group. That is helpful, but it also means you should not expect a detailed, pre-set schedule for every hour. The guide can help you decide what works, explain the choices, and arrange the day around the conditions.

If you already ski or snowboard, tell the guide early so you can protect enough time for rental and lift arrangements. If you are new to snow sports, ask about an instructor. Equipment and instructors are available, but neither is included.

For a first-time snow visit, I would keep the plan simple: choose a short activity, allow time for the gondola or photos, and leave room for lunch. Trying to ski, snowboard, skate, sled, and ride a snowmobile in one day would be rushed.

Food, dinner, and the extra costs

Lunch is not included. You should plan for that as part of your spending, although the supplied details do not set a specific restaurant or lunch price. The guide can adjust the day around the group’s needs.

One particularly useful part of the service is the willingness to help with food preferences. Jacko found a halal restaurant for a Muslim couple, so you can raise dietary needs before the meal rather than hoping to find a suitable place at the last minute.

A traditional Georgian dinner follows the day’s winter activities before the return to Kutaisi. The exact restaurant and menu are not specified, so treat this as part of the planned flow rather than a fixed dining package. Dinner is a welcome idea after a long cold day, but remember to budget for food because lunch is excluded and the cost of dinner is not stated.

Your likely extra charges can include:

• Borjomi park entrance, listed as 5 GEL if you choose to enter the paid area
• Borjomi cable car
• Bakuriani gondola or ski lift
• Ski or snowboard rental
• Ice skating
• Sledges and toboggans
• Snowmobiling or other local activities

The tour price covers transport, the English-speaking guide, a child car seat if needed, and the Borjomi water tasting. That makes the trip good value if you want transport and help organizing the day, but it is not an all-inclusive snow package.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend it to first-time visitors to Georgia who are based in Kutaisi and want to see the winter mountains without arranging everything alone. It also suits families and small groups with mixed interests, since Bakuriani offers more than downhill skiing.

Solo visitors can benefit from the small group and guide support. The service has also been praised for punctuality and for accepting a last-minute booking, though you should not rely on last-minute availability.

This is less suitable if you want a full ski holiday. The round trip from Kutaisi leaves limited time for repeated runs, long lessons, or a relaxed resort day. A dedicated overnight stay in Bakuriani would give serious skiers more time.

It is also not the best match if you dislike long drives or need a fixed schedule. The day can change with weather, snow depth, traffic, local activity availability, and the interests of the group.

Practical details and cancellation terms

The tour accepts mobile tickets and is conducted in English. Most people can take part, and the maximum group size is seven. The activity begins and ends at the Colchis Fountain meeting point in Kutaisi.

Wear warm clothing and shoes suitable for snow if you are visiting in winter. The supplied information does not specify clothing rental, so plan to bring what you need. If you intend to ski, snowboard, or skate, confirm equipment prices and availability ahead of time.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made inside 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that period are not accepted. The trip depends on good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

Should you book the Bakuriani day trip?

Book it if you want a flexible mountain day from Kutaisi, especially if your group includes both skiers and people who simply want to see snow. Borjomi adds a worthwhile cultural and food-related stop, while the small vehicle and adaptable guide service make the long route easier to manage.

Think twice if your only goal is serious skiing or if you need guaranteed snow. The best feature is the guide’s ability to adjust the plan, but that is not the same as a promise of snow at every stop. For a first taste of Bakuriani, a gondola view, a sled ride, or a short snow outing, this is a practical choice. For a full ski holiday, stay overnight in the resort instead.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately 12 hours, including the journey from Kutaisi, the Borjomi stop, time in Bakuriani, dinner, and the return to Kutaisi.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the Megobari Tours meeting point beside the Colchis Fountain in Kutaisi, Georgia.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in central Kutaisi.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour includes an English-speaking guide.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is seven people.

Is transport included?

Yes. Transport is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Are ski equipment and activities included?

No. Ski rental, ski lifts, ice skating, sledges, toboggans, the Borjomi gondola, and other extra activities are paid directly to the providers.

Is the Borjomi park entrance included?

No. The optional Borjomi park entrance fee is listed as 5 GEL per person. Borjomi water tasting is included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.