Ski & Snow Tour to Bakuriani from Kutaisi with Borjomi Stop

Bakuriani gives you the best part of a Georgian snow day without requiring a full ski holiday. You can ski or snowboard, but you can also simply ride the gondola, slide on a sledge, skate, or play in the snow. The day begins with Borjomi’s famous mineral spring, then climbs into the mountains for a long afternoon at Bakuriani.

I like two things here. First, the small group, limited to seven, lets the guide adjust the day when one person wants ski lessons and another prefers a scenic ride. Second, the tour works well for families, since skiing is only one choice among several. The main drawback is the long day: about 12 hours on the road and at the resorts, with most activities and meals costing extra.

Key points at a glance

• Taste Borjomi water at its natural spring during a walk through Central Park.
• Choose your own snow day in Bakuriani, from skiing and snowboarding to sledding, skating, horse riding, or snowmobiling.
• Ride a gondola toward 2,700 meters for broad views and a walk through snow-covered mountain scenery.
• Travel in a group of no more than seven, useful when families or beginners need help with gear and lessons.
• Meet in central Kutaisi early in the morning, then return to the same meeting point after roughly 12 hours.
• Budget for extras, including park entry, lifts, equipment, food, and optional rides.

From Kutaisi to Borjomi by morning

Your day starts at the Megobari Tours meeting point beside the columns at Kutaisi Central Park, in front of the Colchis Fountain. The early pickup matters. Borjomi is about an hour and a half away by van, and Bakuriani is farther still, so this is not a lazy late-morning outing.

There is a short coffee stop on the way. That small pause is useful, especially with children, since the day includes several hours in the vehicle. Transportation, WiFi in the car, an English-speaking guide-driver, and a child car seat if needed are included.

The drive changes gradually from city streets to mountain roads. You will want warm clothes within reach rather than buried in a suitcase. Borjomi is a walking stop, and Bakuriani is cold enough for snow activities, even if you plan to spend most of your time watching rather than skiing.

Guides connected with this experience include Jemali, Teona, Aleks, and Mikhail. Jemali has been noted for answering questions about Georgian culture and local people, while Teona helped a family arrange ski equipment and lessons. The exact guide depends on the departure, but the small-group setup is the important point: you are not being moved through a large coach schedule.

Borjomi Central Park and the mineral spring

Borjomi is more than a quick bathroom stop. The town is known across Georgia for its naturally carbonated mineral water, which has been used by local communities for thousands of years. You can walk through Borjomi Central Park for about an hour and taste the water directly from the spring.

The taste is the talking point. Borjomi water is strongly mineralized, and it may seem salty or unusual if you are used to ordinary bottled water. It is commonly enjoyed for digestion and as a refreshing drink after celebrations. I would treat the tasting as a cultural stop, not a medical treatment.

The park entrance costs 5 GEL and is not included. The free tasting is included, so you can sample the water without paying for a bottle or a separate tasting session. The walk also gives you a break before the second part of the day, when you will be focused on snow and mountain activities.

You may also have time for the Borjomi mineral water factory. This optional visit explains how the water was discovered and how bottling began in the 19th century. The supplied schedule does not promise the factory as a fixed stop, so ask your guide about timing if this interests you.

Another possible extra is Borjomi’s vintage cable car. It provides views over the Borjomi Gorge and surrounding forests, but the listed price is for the park entry only, not the cable car. The cable car can be a good choice if you want a view without spending all your energy before Bakuriani. It can be less appealing if your priority is maximizing time in the snow.

The road up to Bakuriani

After roughly an hour in the van from Borjomi, you reach Bakuriani Ski Resort. This is one of Georgia’s main winter destinations, and its range of activities makes it a sensible choice for mixed groups.

A serious skier can rent equipment and arrange a professional instructor. A first-timer can take a lesson rather than trying to learn alone. Someone who has no interest in skiing can choose a sledge, an ice rink, a snowmobile, or a horse ride. This spread of choices is the tour’s strongest practical feature.

The guide can help match the group to the available activities. That flexibility is particularly useful for families. Parents might arrange lessons for children while another adult takes the gondola, and nobody has to spend the whole afternoon doing an activity that does not suit them.

Still, the four-hour Bakuriani stop is not an unlimited ski day. If you need a full schedule of ski runs and repeated lift rides, you may prefer staying overnight in Bakuriani. This excursion is better for a first taste, a family snow day, or a mixed group that wants several options.

Choosing your Bakuriani activity

Skiing and snowboarding: Equipment rental costs 30 to 50 GEL, and ski lift rides cost 15 to 50 GEL. Professional instructors are available to rent, but no lesson price is supplied, so ask before committing. You will need to pay separately for equipment, lift access, and instruction if you choose all three.

Ice skating: This costs 20 to 40 GEL. It is a useful option for someone who wants an active snow experience without taking a ski lesson. Bring gloves and warm layers, since standing around between turns can feel colder than moving.

Snowmobiling: The tour includes snowmobiles among the available activities, but no exact price is provided. Ask the guide or operator for the current rate and duration before riding.

Sledding and toboggan rides: Sledge rental is listed at 20 to 40 GEL, while a toboggan ride costs 40 GEL. These are often the easiest choices for children or adults who want a short burst of fun rather than formal instruction.

Horseback riding: This is also available at Bakuriani, although no price is given. It offers a quieter change of pace from the ski area.

The activity choice affects your budget. The advertised $56 price covers the core transport and guiding, not a complete ski package. A family choosing several rentals can spend considerably more, while someone who walks, samples the snow, and takes the gondola can keep the add-on costs lower.

The gondola ride to 2,700 meters

The gondola is the best choice if you want Bakuriani’s mountain setting without making skiing the center of your day. It takes you up to about 2,700 meters, where you can enjoy broad mountain views and walk among snow-covered alpine scenery.

The Bakuriani ski lift costs 15 to 50 GEL, depending on the ride or access selected. That price is separate from the tour. Ask which lift option is available on the day, since the supplied price range covers more than one possibility.

I would choose the gondola if you are traveling with a non-skier, a young child, or someone who wants photos and fresh air rather than instruction. Weather can affect the view, so the ride is not a guarantee of clear panoramas. On a bright day, though, it adds a strong mountain experience without requiring special skill.

Food, timing, and the long ride home

The schedule allows one hour at a local restaurant. Meals and drinks are not included, so keep money available for food. The tour description also allows time for a traditional Georgian dinner before the return to Kutaisi, but the practical point is the same: food is your responsibility.

This is a good chance to try Georgian cooking rather than relying only on snacks from the road. A family may prefer a proper meal before the two-hour return drive. If you have dietary needs, tell the guide early, since the tour is small and the guide may be able to adjust the restaurant choice, but no specific dietary arrangement is promised.

After Bakuriani, the van returns to the Megobari meeting point in Kutaisi. The total duration is about 12 hours. That makes this a full-day commitment, not a short side trip. The long return may feel tiring after skiing, especially for children, but it also means you see two major mountain destinations without changing hotels.

What the $56 price really covers

At $56 per person, the tour offers fair value if you want transport from Kutaisi and a guide to manage two mountain stops in one day. A private taxi or self-drive arrangement would require more planning, and winter roads can make a guided vehicle appealing.

The included package covers transportation, an English-speaking guide-driver, WiFi in the vehicle, a child car seat if needed, and Borjomi water tasting. The small group limit of seven is important. You get more personal attention than on a large coach, and the guide can respond to different interests.

The price does not cover Borjomi’s 5 GEL park entry, the 30 GEL Borjomi cable car, Bakuriani lift rides of 15 to 50 GEL, ice skating at 20 to 40 GEL, sledge rental at 20 to 40 GEL, a 40 GEL toboggan ride, ski rental at 30 to 50 GEL, food, drinks, or travel and skiing insurance.

Think of $56 as the transport and coordination cost. If you plan to ski, add the price of rental, lift access, and possibly a lesson before you book. If you only want the walk, water tasting, views, and a simple snow experience, the final cost can stay closer to the advertised rate.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this tour to families who want snow without committing to a full ski resort stay. The choice of sledding, skating, gondola rides, and snowmobiles means a child who dislikes skis still has something to do.

It also suits first-time visitors to Georgia who want more than a resort visit. Borjomi adds a local tradition and a taste of the country’s famous mineral water, while Bakuriani supplies the winter setting. The two stops feel different enough to justify the long day.

It is less suitable if you want advanced skiing, long uninterrupted time on the slopes, or a quiet trip with no fixed schedule. Four hours in Bakuriani gives you a useful introduction, but not the same freedom as a multi-day ski trip.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve while paying later. Starting times should be checked when booking, since the day begins early and the exact departure time is not stated here.

Should you book the Bakuriani and Borjomi tour?

Book it if you want one organized winter day from Kutaisi, especially if your group has mixed interests. The combination of Borjomi’s spring, Bakuriani’s snow choices, and a small group gives you much more variety than a simple ski transfer.

Before booking, calculate your add-ons. Ski rental, lifts, meals, and optional rides can change the total quickly. If you accept that the $56 price is a base rate, and you are comfortable with a 12-hour day, this is a practical way to see Borjomi and Bakuriani without arranging winter transport yourself.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin in Kutaisi?

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

How long does the full experience last?

The tour lasts about 12 hours, including transportation, the Borjomi stop, time in Bakuriani, a restaurant stop, and the return to Kutaisi.

What language does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to seven participants.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation by van is included, along with an English-speaking guide-driver and free WiFi in the vehicle.

Is the Borjomi mineral water tasting included?

Yes. The tour includes a free tasting of Borjomi water at its spring.

Do I have to pay to enter Borjomi Central Park?

The listed park entrance fee is an optional 5 GEL and is not included in the tour price.

What snow activities are available in Bakuriani?

You can choose from skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snowmobiling, sledding, toboggan rides, horseback riding, and a scenic gondola ride.

Is ski equipment included?

No. Ski rental is listed as an optional extra costing 30 to 50 GEL. Professional instructors are also available at the resort.

Are meals included?

No. Meals and drinks are not included. The schedule includes time at a local restaurant, so you should budget separately for food.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.