In detail
What's here
The Kokhta lift is a 6-seat high-speed Doppelmayr chairlift with a mid-station. The lower section (Plateau, 1,725–1,900 m) is a gentle area suitable for progressing skiers. The upper section reaches 2,157 m, where red and black runs begin. The top slope has a gradient of up to 52% over approximately 400 m – experts only. The mid-section descends through spruce forest – a scenic run with views of snow-laden trees.
From the summit of Kokhta, the Greater Caucasus Range stretches across the northern horizon. On clear days, snow-capped peaks are visible for dozens of kilometres. The north-facing aspect preserves snow better than other exposures. A chairlift from Kokhta leads to Mitarbi – 9.9 km of wide intermediate-to-advanced runs reaching 2,269 m.
At the base station – ticket offices, equipment rental, and several cafés. Rooms Hotel Kokhta is 50 m from the lift – the only hotel in Bakuriani with direct ski-in/ski-out access. Unlike Didveli, Kokhta has no night skiing or toboggan, but queues are shorter and the atmosphere is calmer.
Highlights
Why visit
Trails – 7.3 km on Kokhta + 9.9 km on Mitarbi, red and black runs
Steepness – upper section with up to 52% gradient, for experienced skiers
Panorama – Greater Caucasus Range views from the 2,157 m summit
Lift – 6-seat high-speed Doppelmayr chairlift, reopened in 2016 after 30 years
Mitarbi connection – chairlift links Kokhta to the Mitarbi zone (9.9 km of runs)
Heritage – Georgia's first ski base (1932), Olympic athlete training ground
History
Past & present
The first ski track on Mount Kokhtagori opened in 1932 – marking the start of organised skiing in Georgia. During Soviet times, Kokhta was the main ski zone: national slalom and biathlon teams trained here, and union-republic championships were held. Tatrapoma lifts served the slope until the early 1990s.
After the Soviet collapse, lifts stood idle for 30 years. In 2016, a new 6-seat Doppelmayr chairlift with a transfer station was installed – bringing Kokhta back onto the ski map. The neighbouring Mitarbi zone launched simultaneously, connected to Kokhta by chairlift. Today, Kokhta attracts intermediate and advanced skiers, and the Rooms Hotel Kokhta near the lift base has become one of Georgia's finest mountain hotels.
Getting there
Transport & directions
From central Bakuriani (2.8 km):
– Taxi – 5–10 GEL (~$2–4), 5 minutes
– On foot – 10 minutes
From Tbilisi (180 km, 2.5–3 hours):
– Shared minibus from Didube metro – 15–20 GEL (~$6), then taxi to Kokhta
– SUV transfer – from 300 GEL (~$110)
– Car rental – winter tyres mandatory
From Borjomi (30 km, 30–40 minutes):
– Taxi – 20–25 GEL (~$8–9)
To other zones:
– To Didveli – taxi 5–10 GEL or 10-minute walk
– To Mitarbi – chairlift from Kokhta summit (included in ski pass)
