Bakuriani: Ski resort day trip from Borjomi

Summary

Bakuriani slopes & Borjomi springs with local stories

You’ll ride the slow-moving Kukushka train from Borjomi up into Bakuriani’s snowy pines, try winter sports or just wander with a local guide, then taste mineral water straight from Borjomi’s famous springs. With pickup included and time for both adventure and quiet walks, it’s an easygoing day you’ll remember long after you leave Georgia.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to feel so awake before sunrise, but something about waiting for the Kukushka train in Borjomi made me weirdly alert — maybe it was the cold biting my cheeks or just that old wooden station smell, like pine and metal. Our guide, Giorgi, handed out hot tea from a battered thermos and joked that the train’s slower than his grandmother. He wasn’t wrong. The ride up to Bakuriani took its time, winding through forests that looked half-asleep under their snow blankets. I kept pressing my forehead to the window, watching smoke curl from distant chimneys.

Bakuriani itself felt like a place kids would draw if you asked them what winter looks like. Pines everywhere, sharp air that stings your nose but somehow feels good. We had about three hours there — enough for me to try skiing (badly), then give up and just walk around crunching ice under my boots. Some locals zipped by on snowmobiles, waving like they knew us. Giorgi pointed out a tiny chapel tucked between trees; he said people come here to pray for safe journeys. I liked that detail more than I thought I would.

Afterwards we drove back down to Borjomi. The mineral water here is famous — you can taste it straight from these odd little fountains in the park. It’s salty and warm, not what I expected at all (Li laughed when I tried to say “Borjomi” in Georgian — probably butchered it). We wandered through the central park where old men played chess on benches and steam curled up from paper cups of coffee. The whole place smelled faintly of earth and wet leaves even though it was winter.

I still think about that view from the train — mountains fading into blue haze behind us as we rattled back toward town. There’s something quietly satisfying about a day trip like this: nothing dramatic happens, but you end up carrying home these small moments anyway.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Bakuriani Ski Resort and Borjomi

• Narrow gauge railway to Bakuriani
• Winter sports and walks in Bakuriani
• Visit Borjomi mineral springs and central park

Top questions

How do you get from Borjomi to Bakuriani?

You take the narrow-gauge Kukushka train from Borjomi up to Bakuriani as part of the tour.

What activities can you do in Bakuriani?

You can try skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling or simply walk around enjoying the scenery.

Is hotel pickup included?

The tour includes pickup by air-conditioned vehicle.

Do you visit Borjomi mineral springs?

Yes, there is time to visit Borjomi’s central park and taste water from the springs.

Are guides local?

The tour is led by a local guide who shares stories about the area.

Is this tour suitable for families?

Yes, specialized infant seats are available and all fitness levels are welcome.

What’s included

Your day includes reliable snowmobile transportation between stops, pickup by air-conditioned vehicle in Borjomi, guidance throughout by a local expert, and plenty of free time to explore both Bakuriani’s ski resort and Borjomi’s mineral spring park before heading back down together in the evening.