Tourist killed by avalanche while skiing in Georgia
In Georgia's mountainous Svaneti region, an avalanche took the life of a tourist who was skiing off marked trails without a guide. The rest of the group survived.
Photo: Aleksey Muhranoff, CC BY-SA 3.0
In the highlands of Svaneti, near Ushguli, an avalanche buried a tourist who was skiing outside official routes.
The incident was reported by the Emergency Management Service of Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, according to Newsgeorgia.
According to authorities, a group of four people went into the mountains without a guide and likely chose a dangerous unmarked area.
During their descent, a snow mass collapsed and buried one of the women. Sadly, rescuers were unable to save her—she died at the scene. The other group members were unharmed.
Mestia Municipality Mayor Kapiton Zhorzholiani confirmed the incident, noting it occurred the day before. The exact circumstances are still under investigation.
Svaneti is a picturesque mountainous region in Georgia, known for its ancient towers, glaciers, and alpine meadows. It offers a mix of natural beauty and cultural heritage.
In summer, tourists go hiking; in winter, they ski at the Tetnuldi and Hatsvali resorts. Mestia has well-developed infrastructure, including hotels, restaurants, and museums. Tourist information centers assist visitors.