The Freeride programm in Upper Racha was established thanks to the Sergii Potapenko

Upper Racha is an as yet undiscovered gem on the freeride map of Georgia, hidden between Svaneti and the (unrecognised) self-proclaimed Republic of South Ossetia, offering majestic peaks bathed in powder snow. This is definitely a region for experienced off-piste skiers; due to its wilderness and considerable distance from civilisation, you must remember that you are on your own. Ghebi is a great starting point for one-day and multi-day skitouring and splitboarding trips, accessible by car, and a very good base for getting ready for the mountains and an ideal place to rest after the action in the field. You can enjoy great local delicacies, warm water and even a sauna! As for the terrain itself, the variety of options will send shivers down any freerider's spine, from big open spaces to sharp gullies, drops or forest riding, you'll find it all here! Most of the interesting lines, however, are above 2,500 metres and you have to cross long valleys to reach the most interesting spots. There is also the possibility of spending the night in the open air, where you have several options - old shepherd's huts (very few), tents or sleeping under a cloud. Remember to bring good equipment and to familiarise yourself with the terrain.
programme:

Freeride in Rachy. We would like to invite you to take part in our latest project - INTO THE WILD 2024. This event is aimed at people looking for undiscovered places, who like a good freeride, contact with nature and total immersion in the mountain climate.

Racha, called Georgian Switzerland, is one of Georgia's wildest regions. As far as winter tourism is concerned, the guides who will be working with us are pioneers in mapping routes and first descents down incredible gullies and walls. We would like to offer you the opportunity to take part in a unique project, as the chance to descend a truly unspoilt region is at your fingertips.

We have prepared a very ambitious and varied programme for you, the implementation of which will depend on the capabilities of the group and, of course, the weather conditions. Our priority, as always, is safety, but we have set the bar very high for the descents we are planning.

Therefore, this trip is aimed at advanced freeriders and especially skitourists/splitboarders, people with a completed avalanche course, excellent mountain knowledge and the ability to work in a group.

Number of participants limited: 8 seats
We work with 2 guides

Minimum programme :
Day 1 - transfer to Ghebi, accommodation, briefing, setting up an action plan based on current weather and snow conditions
Day 2 - approach to base camp site in the mountains - Shtala or Khvargula valley, camp preparation, acclimatisation.
3- 5th day skitour and freeride on the surrounding ridges of Khvargula, Tsikhvarga, Notsara
5-6 day overnight in Ghebi,
transfer to airport

PROGRAMME

Day 1
Arrival in Tbilisi, transfer to Racha, accommodation, briefing, setting of plans for the coming week based on the snow, weather and avalanche situation

Day 2
Muchamesh Valley. Skitour approximately 5 - 6 hours.
Number of vertical metres: 1000-1400 m
Starting point 1400m
The highest peak of the valley 3609.2 m - Shoda
We start our march from the village and head towards the nearest valley. We can choose from a variety of options ranging from very easy to medium to very technical descents. To our left we will admire the majestic Shoda and the huge glacier spreading out at its foot.

Day 3
Shoda Valley.
Here we have two options, with an overnight stay and a return to the base in Ghebi.
With the day option, the skitour will take 5-6 hours.
With the multi-day option, we set up camp and then approaches are limited to 3 - 4 hours(minimum 2 day trips).
Number of vertical metres: 1000-1400 m
Take-off from Ghebi 1400m
The highest point of the valley 3400m.
We set off down the villages along the Rioni river, after about 40 minutes we reach the valley, after crossing a line of forest we come to a tiny Orthodox church from which we have a view of the whole valley and which will be our stopping place (possible campsite). A variety of downhill options from steeper shorter ones to longer ones in open spaces.

Day 4
Chiora Mountain Valley.
Approach time 4-5 hours.
Number of vertical metres: 1000 m
Take-off from Ghebi 1400m
The highest point in the valley 2386.1 m.
We set off by car from Ghebi to the village of Chiora from where we start our approach. Initially we move along a forest road and when we cross the forest line we can see the full panorama of available descents. The level ranges from easy to medium lines in the open space ending in the forest.

Day 5
Khvargula Valley.
Approach time 5-6 hours to the camp site (minimum 2 day trips).
Number of vertical metres: 1500 m
Starting point 2000m
Highest point 3500-3800m.
We set off from Ghebi towards the village of Gona, here we turn and plunge into the Khvaragula valley from where we try to reach the glacier zone where the most interesting and technical descents are located. This is an option with an overnight stay in the area.

Day 6
Valley Mountain. Dolomisitsveri .
Approach time 6-7 hours.
Number of vertical metres: 1500 m
Start 1300m
The highest point in the valley 3100 m.
We set off from Ghebi by car towards the village of Glola from where we begin the ascent. Initially, we move through the forest, then, after crossing the tree line, we emerge into an open area with a beautiful view of the valley and the ridge of the High Caucasus. However, we are most interested in the descents that take place here, both in gullies and on more open stretches.

Day 7
Chanchachi Mountain Valley .
Approach time 6-7 hours to the camp site
Number of vertical metres: 1500 m
Start 1300m
Highest point in the valley 4461 m.
We start by car in Ghebi, drive to Shovi from where we take off towards the Buba Glacier and Chanchachi Peak. After crossing the forest line, we can see the surrounding "playground". This place is best for a few days' excursions with an overnight stay in tents, while it can also be treated as a day trip.

Day 8
Notsara Valley,Mount Karaugom 4363.3m .
Approach 5-6 hours to the encampment
Number of vertical metres: 1500 m
Start of the 2000m approach
Highest point 4363.3m.
The Notsara valley has quite a few options, you can descend from Gora Chiora or walk down from the Khvaragula valley, but its greatest asset is the possibility of descending from under the foot of the 4363.3m Karaugom peak. Multi-day option with overnight stay in the mountains

Day 9
departure from Racha, transfer to Tbilisi, farewell supra, visit to sulphur thermal baths

Team

Sebastian Czerniawski
Polish, English, Russian
on snowboarding since 1996, former competitor, sports instructor, sports activist, professionally also associated with the organisation of trips to the most exotic regions of the world (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kashmir) in 2017 - 2021 freeride guide in Georgian Gudauri, creator of the freeride school programme and promoter of powder skiing at home and abroad.

Rustam Ibragimov
Ukrainian, Russian, English
Qualified freerider and mountain guide, skiing experience since 1997. Founder of the freeride and backcountry school Snowlab and Snowlab Kids club - in Gudauri.

Giorgi Kakhashvili
Georgian, English, Russian
Freerider and mountain guide.
snowboarding since 2007. pioneer of freeriding in Tushetia (Georgia).
Snowboard Freeride World Tour in Svaneti 2023 - 2nd place

For groups of more than 5 people, we employ an additional guide from the Snowlab team
Guid qualifications:
Qualified first aid,
avalanche rescue
AST1, AST2 or other