Mestia Ski Resorts 2026/27: Tetnuldi & Hatsvali
Mestia ski resort at a glance: Hatsvali vs Tetnuldi
| Hatsvali | Tetnuldi | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Directly above Mestia; lift from the edge of town | Outside Mestia (our route: 21 km) |
| Altitude | Up to about 2,350 m | Lifts from about 2,260 m to 3,160 m |
| Runs | About 7 km | High-alpine runs for beginners to experts, freeride on the northern slopes |
| Lifts | Lift from Mestia plus chairlift on the mountain | 5 lifts |
| Getting there | On foot or by short taxi from Mestia | By car on a mountain road |
| Best for | Half days, staying in Mestia without a car | Full ski days on high-alpine terrain |
Figures come from the Georgian National Tourism Administration (georgia.travel) and skiresort.com, cross-checked with georgianholidays.com; where these sources differ, we give a range.
Hatsvali ski resort and the Hatsvali cable car
Hatsvali is the easy option: you can walk from your guesthouse to the lift station near the centre of Mestia, ride up, and change to the lift on the mountain. Tickets are sold at both stations. The pistes include intermediate runs, with restaurants at the middle and upper stations, and the forest below offers freeride for experienced skiers. A car road also leads up. Planning advice: check current conditions and suitable transport before setting out.
Tetnuldi ski resort: big-mountain skiing near Mestia
Tetnuldi is the bigger and higher of the two. Its lifts climb from about 2,260 m to 3,160 m, with alpine slopes for beginners and experienced skiers and freeride terrain on the northern side. The resort is outside town. Planning advice: check the current road conditions and suitable transport before setting out. With OrbiTrip you can book an SUV driver from Mestia to Tetnuldi in advance — from about 147 GEL per car one-way (indicative starting price; live prices for your date are shown above).
Mestia ski season 2026/27
Both resorts normally open in late December. Confirm the opening dates with the resorts before you book flights. Early-season opening depends on snow.
How to get to Mestia in winter
Mestia is reached by road from Zugdidi through the Enguri valley. Between 1 December and 1 March Georgian law requires winter tyres on the Jvari–Lasdili section of this road, and police can require snow chains in bad weather.
| From | Distance (our route data) | Private transfer, per car |
|---|---|---|
| Kutaisi Airport → Mestia | ~238 km | from about 480 GEL |
| Kutaisi → Mestia | ~220 km | from about 410 GEL |
| Batumi → Mestia | ~240 km | from about 508 GEL |
| Zugdidi → Mestia | ~143 km | from about 413 GEL |
| Tbilisi → Mestia | ~460 km | from about 812 GEL |
| Mestia → Tetnuldi | ~21 km | from about 147 GEL (SUV) |
Prices are per car, not per person, for the cheapest available car (historical benchmark checked on 14 October 2026 for 15 January 2027). Indicative starting prices shown in the table update from our system; prices change with the date — the search box at the top of this page shows the live price for your day.
See drivers & fixed prices: Kutaisi Airport → Mestia
Why skiers book a private transfer to Mestia
- Price per car, not per person: a whole car for your group and your equipment; the price is shown before you book.
- No prepayment: pay the driver in cash.
- Free cancellation if snow closes the road or your flight changes.
More on the route: Kutaisi Airport to Mestia transfer guide, how to get to Mestia and our comparison of Georgia’s ski resorts.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Mestia ski resort?
Mestia has two ski areas: Hatsvali, directly above the town with a lift starting near the centre, and Tetnuldi, outside town by mountain road, with lifts up to 3,160 m.
How far is Tetnuldi from Mestia?
Our existing route data gives 21 km by road. Planning advice: check current road conditions and suitable transport before setting out. See the current per-car prices in the transfer list on this page.
How do I get to the Hatsvali cable car?
The lift to Hatsvali starts within walking distance of Mestia's centre. Tickets are sold at the lower and upper stations.
When does the ski season in Mestia start?
Usually in late December. Confirm opening dates with the resorts before booking; early opening depends on snow.
How do I get from Kutaisi Airport to Mestia?
By road via Zugdidi, about 238 km. The current private-transfer price per car is shown above before booking, with no prepayment, cash to the driver and free cancellation.
Sources: resort facts — Georgian National Tourism Administration (georgia.travel, “Skiing in Mestia”), skiresort.com and georgianholidays.com; winter-tyre rule — Government of Georgia resolution on Matsne (document 6040563) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia. Prices and distances — OrbiTrip live route data, 14 October 2026.
OrbiTrip Georgia — private transfers across Georgia with local drivers. Per-car price shown before booking, no prepayment.