Hatsvali, Хацвали
Caucasus skiing above medieval Mestia
Hatsvali is a small, spectacularly scenic ski area in Georgia's remote Svaneti region, offering forested slopes and jaw-dropping views of the high Caucasus above Mestia.
- 1,867 m Base
- 2,342 m Top lift
- 475 m Vertical
- 4 Pistes mapped
- 4 Lifts
Best known for
Après & vibe
The mountain is quiet, with the medieval town of Mestia below providing guesthouses, cafés and a warm dose of Svan hospitality.
The resort
High above the tower-studded mountain town of Mestia, Hatsvali is the compact ski area of Upper Svaneti, one of the most remote and culturally extraordinary corners of Georgia. Set on wooded slopes with an open summit, it delivers some of the finest scenery in any ski resort anywhere, ringed by the glaciated peaks of the Greater Caucasus, including the twin summits of Ushba on the horizon. The skiing itself is modest in scale, with a handful of pistes and lifts through spruce forest, but the combination of quiet slopes, good snow and the medieval stone towers of Svaneti below makes a visit unforgettable. It suits adventurous travellers drawn as much by the culture and setting as the turns.
Snow & weather
Live conditions from the mountain, plus the average snow you can expect month by month.
- Feels like
- —
- Conditions
- —
- Wind
- —
- Fresh snow (3-day)
- —
Live data © Open-Meteo.com
Its high Caucasus altitude gives good, dependable snow through the winter, though the remote location and mountain weather can affect access.
Average monthly snowfall
Snowfall climatology unavailable.
Terrain & aspect
- Novice
- Easy
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Slopes mostly face N — 95% on snow-holding, poleward-facing slopes.
Aspect derived from run bearings · OpenSkiStats / © OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Skiing & terrain
A gentle lower slope suits novices, though the area is small.
Forest-lined pistes give improving skiers pleasant, scenic runs.
The open upper slopes and surrounding terrain reward stronger skiers.
Limited lift-served challenge, but the high Caucasus offers serious backcountry and touring potential nearby.
Views of the Greater Caucasus
From the top of Hatsvali the panorama takes in glaciated giants of the Caucasus, among the most dramatic backdrops in skiing.
Medieval Svaneti below
The nearby town of Mestia, with its ancient defensive stone towers and UNESCO-listed villages, makes the wider trip a cultural journey as much as a ski holiday.
On the map
Legend
Run difficulty
- Novice
- Easy
- Intermediate
- Advanced / Expert
- Freeride / Extreme
- Unknown
Run types
- Downhill — groomed
- Downhill — ungroomed
- Downhill — gladed
- Nordic (groomed)
- Ski tour
- ☾Lit (night)
- △Not patrolled
- →One-way
- ❄Snowmaking
Lifts
- Operating
- Operating (private)
- Non-operating
- Lift station
Slope-gradient grading
Downhill / ski tour
- Flat<3°
- Easy3–14°
- Intermediate14–22°
- Advanced / Expert22–45°
- Freeride / Extreme>45°
Nordic
- Easy<6°
- Intermediate6–9°
- Advanced>9°
Aspect (sun exposure)
- N — least sun
- E — morning
- S — most sun
- W — afternoon
Legend after OpenSkiMap
Stay in Hatsvali, Хацвали
Stay in the historic town of Mestia just below the slopes, where family guesthouses and small hotels offer characterful Svan hospitality.
Lifts and pistes from the door — the point of a high, purpose-built resort.
Self-catering residences, the bulk of the beds and the flexible-budget option.
Catered and self-catered chalets for groups wanting the whole place.
From simple to high-end, with pools and spas to thaw out in.
How to get there
Kutaisi (KUT) is the nearest international gateway, followed by a long mountain drive up into Svaneti; a small airstrip at Mestia also receives scheduled light flights from near Tbilisi.
The approach is a long, winding drive through the Caucasus foothills to Mestia; shared marshrutkas and transfers run from Kutaisi and Zugdidi, with care needed in winter.
Best time: January to March brings the most reliable snow and the clearest chances of those high-Caucasus views.
Nearby resorts
Other resorts within reach.
Мамисон
- Vertical
- 888 m
- Pistes (mapped)
- 11
- Lifts
- 2
Goderdzi Mountain Resort
- Vertical
- 639 m
- Pistes (mapped)
- 3
- Lifts
- 3
Getting to Hatsvali, Хацвали
Book an airport transfer up to the resort, or pick up a car at Kutaisi (KUT) — search and compare without leaving the page.
Ski data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), via OpenSkiMap & Skimap.org. Basemap © OpenFreeMap / OpenMapTiles. Editorial: mynext.holiday. Accommodation via Stay22; transfers via Kiwitaxi; car hire via Travelpayouts.