Chasing Powder and Possibility in Georgia

Scouting the Next Shaper Retreat

This is where work and pleasure become deliciously indistinguishable. After a wild, powder-heavy season in Japan, the question was: Where to next?

For years, Georgia has lived quietly in the back of my mind. The kind of place freeriders and ski freaks talk about after they’ve ticked off the big names. A place with mystique, raw terrain, and something famously dangerous called Chacha (more on that hazard shortly).

I started digging:

• Culture? Ancient and layered.

• Wine? Flows like water.

• Food? Known as Soviet Union fine dining.

• Mountains? Big, bold, and blissfully unfiltered.

At Shaper Retreats, we design unique experiences where adventure, culture, and connection come together.

Suddenly, Georgia was checking all the boxes.

Planning: Google-Rabbit Holes and Powder Dreams

Even the planning felt like adventure foreplay.

I found myself watching clips of riders on horseback, gear strapped to saddles, heading for jagged peaks. It had that old-world, edge-of-the-map energy, and I was hooked.

With the crew assembled and a 4x4 locked in, we landed in Tbilisi. First impressions? The city buzzes. It’s got soul.

Wine tastings. Rich stews. Cheesy pastries. A place with more layers than we expected and a spark you feel instantly.

Stop One:

Mestia – Georgia’s Raw Backcountry Heart

Chaos, Charm, and Big-Mountain Soul

We headed north to Mestia, tucked deep in the Svaneti region of the Greater Caucasus. The drive alone set the tone: long, winding, and full of personality. Cows lounging mid-road, unexpected rockfalls, and tiny Japanese kei cars zipping past gave it that chaotic charm. The kind of road trip where you laugh, white-knuckle the wheel, and lean into the unknown.

And then… came the towers.

Mestia is dotted with ancient stone towers, once built by Svan clans to protect their families during feuds. They rise like oversized chess pieces, stacked against the kind of mountain backdrop that belongs in myths. We stopped to photograph the first one for ten minutes, only to realise they were everywhere. Still, the novelty never wore off.

Despite its growing popularity, Mestia still feels raw, grounded, and real. We stayed in a family-run guesthouse that was part hotel, part museum, and part cosy ski den. Inside, climbers, ski tourers, and backcountry nomads crossed paths. They shared objectives, forecasts, hazards, and post-tour toasts of natural wine or dangerously smooth Chacha, the local firewater that deserves both respect and moderation.

The Terrain: Inspiring and Addictive

The riding? Glorious. Varied.

A mix of lift access and human-powered missions, where short tours led to big rewards. The snow gods offered everything: deep powder, dust on crust, breakable crust, a buffet of conditions that kept us sharp and stoked.

Tetnuldi, a resort that stood out for its accessibility to wild terrain and distinct vibe. Let’s just say: 4x4 is a must, and patience is your first warm-up. The lifts work on their own timeline, and flexibility is part of the deal. But that’s exactly why Shaper Retreats thrives here: we turn raw potential into flow.

This place shines in its raw beauty, untamed spirit, and the way it pulls people together. We left Mestia with sore legs, full hearts, and a few new riding partners for future adventures.

You’ll be hearing more about Mestia from us. That much is guaranteed.

📍 Best For: Adventurous backcountry and culture-curious riders

🏔️ Vibe: Rustic, soulful, untouched

❄️ Retreat Focus: Community, raw terrain, exploration

Stop Two:

Gudauri – Great Powder, Zero Fuss

Convenience, Powder, and a Wink

Next up was Gudauri. Unlike Mestia, it doesn’t whisper ancient stories or medieval charm. It’s modern, straightforward, and built for function. But what it lacks in romance, it makes up for in accessibility and surprisingly vast terrain.

At first, I hesitated. It lacked the authenticity of Mestia. Less intimate. Maybe even too far from the spirit of what Shaper Retreats is about.

But then, a bluebird powder day hit, and Gudauri made a convincing case.

Jaw-dropping views. Big terrain. Freeride lines right off the lifts. It was like the mountains were winking and saying, "Told you so."

The Gudauri Experience: Ride, Relax, Repeat

This is the kind of place where you come to level up your riding.

You stay in a ski-in, ski-out hotel, enjoy a post-ride massage, and toast with friends in a sleek hotel bar. All without breaking the bank.

It doesn’t offer the wild unpredictability of Mestia, but that’s the point. Gudauri is clean-cut, accessible, and surprisingly vast. It’s a freeride playground for anyone wanting to sharpen skills and enjoy comfort without compromise.

Now? It’s firmly on the radar as a future Shaper Retreat location, especially for riders looking to build confidence in big terrain without having to earn every turn.

Gudauri might not sing ancient songs, but it hums with possibility. And that’s a rhythm we can get behind.

📍 Best For: Intermediate and advanced riders seeking progression

🏔️ Vibe: Functional, fun, freeride-friendly

❄️ Retreat Focus: Skill building, comfort, and modern convenience

In Between:

Sulfur Baths, Cheese Bombs & Chaos

Georgia isn’t just a ski trip. It’s a contrast-rich experience.

One moment you’re soaking in thousand-year-old sulfur baths, the next you're dodging cows lying down in the middle of the highway like they own it. Michelin-level dishes show up in roadside diners with plastic tablecloths. Overfed stray dogs escort you through town. Locals correct your dumpling eating technique with pride.

And the lifts? Well… they open when they open. Wind, visibility… maybe even astrology. Georgia keeps you guessing, and that’s part of the joy.

So...

Is Georgia a Shaper Retreat Destination?

Without a doubt.

Mestia gave us wild terrain, deep culture, and real connection.

Gudauri offered comfort, big mountains, and serious ride potential.

The wine, the stories, the people. We left fired up and full of ideas.

Want In?

We don’t just run ski trips. We build immersive mountain experiences rooted in local culture, soulful riding, and real community. Georgia is not just a destination: it’s a feeling, and we’re here to shape that into something unforgettable.

Would you rather skin up next to snowy towers or soak in a pool after a big day on the slopes? 

🌍 Small group, high impact

⛷️ Skill development & guided backcountry adventures

🥘 Authentic local food & culture experiences

🏔️ Curated retreats blending riding & connection

👉 Join the waitlist