Forget Austria and Switzerland, this is the secret winter sports spot.

The winter sports holiday is one of the most expensive trips you can book. And once you hit the slopes, you spend half the day standing in line for lifts, weaving through crowds, and avoiding falling kids. If you’re thinking, ‘This can’t be the only way?’ then I’ve got great news for you, because you’re right. You just have to look a bit further, and you’ll find the most beautiful hidden gems. Not many people have discovered this place yet…

It’s so much cheaper than any other ski resort

Since ‘Who is the Mole’ aired, Georgia has become a bit more well-known as a vacation destination. But did you know that you can ski there in the winter too? The nature in the Caucasus is a dream, and there are also some super cute villages with a lot of history. In the Caucasus, you’ll find the area of Svaneti, located in a valley. The capital of Svaneti (Mestia) is 19 km away from the ski resort, Tenuldi. You can ski here for just €17 per day, as much as you want, from December to May. Especially for beginner and intermediate skiers, this place is a real treat; the blue and red pistes are well-represented, and there’s even a black run.

The residents of this secret area were isolated from the outside world for centuries

Around Mestia, there are several other small villages. Svaneti was once a principality and was cut off from the outside world for centuries. The reason for this is simple: there were no proper roads to and from the area. The Svan, the original inhabitants of this area, still speak their own unique language. You’ll also see many unique buildings. For example, there are still many koskis: these are watchtowers, used for defense during attacks. In the summer, it’s also gorgeous here for hiking, with a visit to the Shdugra waterfall and the Chalaadi glacier—nature is stunningly beautiful 365 days a year.”

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