When we decided to spend the winter in Georgia, we knew it wouldn't be a classic winter vacation. We weren't going to a ski-in/ski-out hotel and we weren't planning just a few days of skiing. We wanted to experience Georgia to the fullest – to travel, discover new places, sleep in our converted Mercedes Sprinter 4x4 van, and spend as much time as possible in the mountains.

And that's exactly what the winter ended up being like.

A season pass for €205? Georgia has surprised us

One of the things that completely blew us away about Georgia was the all-season ski pass. For about For €205, we got a ski pass valid for the entire winter season at all major ski resorts in the country..

In practice, this meant we weren't tied to one place. We could pack our things, start the van, and head out to where the best conditions were.

We skied and explored, for example:

• Gudauri – the largest and most famous ski resort in Georgia, where we enjoyed perfect descents and views of the Caucasus.
• Tetnuldi near Mestia – one of the most beautiful places to ski, right beneath the towering peaks of Svaneti.
• Bakuriani – a traditional mountain resort with a completely different atmosphere.
• Goderdzi – a smaller, quieter resort closer to the coast, where we enjoyed a completely different side of the Georgian mountains.

Life in a Sprinter during the Georgian winter

All winter we lived in our Mercedes Sprinter 4x4, which has been converted into our home where we have everything.

Van life in winter has its charm, but it also reveals every detail of whether your equipment is well thought out.

Some days were completely relaxed, other times we woke up to temperatures deep below zero.

We also experienced frosts around -13 °F, when not only the human but also the car itself was put to the test. One morning, we even had diesel freeze in the tank, and we had to deal with a situation we hadn't encountered before.

It's at moments like these that you realize just how valuable high-quality winter gear is.

Winter Nights: Your Sleeping Bag Makes All the Difference

When traveling by car in the winter, a good sleeping bag is one of the most important things to have.

We use sleeping bags from Penguin - we have one synthetic and one down. They really took a beating this winter, and we have to say, they did their job perfectly.

We also experienced some very cold nights with them during severe frosts, and that’s exactly when you really appreciate being able to rely on the gear you have with you.

The down sleeping bag is great mainly for its warmth-to-weight ratio, while we appreciated the synthetic one in tougher conditions and with more moisture.

Ski Mountaineering in the Caucasus

Georgia didn't just give us ski resorts. A large part of our winter was also about ski touring and exploring places off the groomed trails.

The Caucasus offers incredible opportunities – vast mountains, few people, and a feeling of being slightly off the beaten path.

Every climb had its own reward. It wasn't always just about the perfect descents, but especially those moments when you're standing at the top, looking around, and realizing where you actually are.

Winter jacket that had to withstand everything

Throughout the winter, we often operated outdoors – while skiing, ski touring, moving between locations, and even in our daily routines around the car.

Down jackets from Penguin have become one of the things we use practically every day.

Whether in the morning while preparing coffee by the car, in the evening after returning from the mountains, or during long days in the snow, they were exactly the piece of equipment we wanted to have with us.

Georgia showed us why we love to travel

This winter was a combination of everything we love about traveling.

Freedom to decide where we go next. Waking up in the mountains in the morning. Alternating between ski resorts, wilderness, and days spent off the grid.

Georgia surprised us with its mountains, its people, and the opportunities it offers to outdoor enthusiasts.

And most importantly, it reminded us that sometimes the best experiences happen precisely when you step out of your comfort zone.