You read the feature, watch the edit, and wonder what it feels like to stand on those ridges.

With the launch of the Downdays Experience Hub, we are flipping that narrative on its head. Following our successful soft-launch in Svaneti, we are kicking off the first official winter season of the Experience Hub by heading into one of the most snow-secure, untouched powder pockets on earth: Bakhmaro, Georgia.

The Destination: “The Japan of Europe”

Tucked away in an alpine basin in western Georgia, just 50 kilometers from the Black Sea, Bakhmaro sits in a unique microclimate that delivers staggering snowfall consistency. It gets the cold, dry, bottomless powder usually associated with Hokkaido—minus the lift lines, the tracked-out tree runs, or the long-haul transcontinental flights.

In the summer, Bakhmaro is a quiet mountain village. In winter, the roads close, modern civilization steps back, and 4 to 8 meters of snow completely blanket the landscape, leaving only the roofs of wooden cabins poking out. It becomes an untouched playground of wide-open alpine bowls, massive pillow fields, and dense, storm-proof pine glades.

The Experience Hub Setup: 2 Snowcats, 10 Skiers

Standard snowcat operations run on a high-volume model: 12 to 14 riders crammed into a single cabin, taking turns, waiting at the bottom, and competing for fresh lines.

We reimagined the entire operational framework from scratch to offer a true professional athlete experience:

• Unmatched Ratio: We are running two dedicated snowcats for a maximum crew of just 10 skiers—that means only 5 riders per cat.
• Pro Production Team: Each cat operates as an independent production unit, staffed with its own expert local mountain guide and a dedicated professional filmmaker.
• Maximized Vert, Zero Wait Time: A 5-person group moves fast, stays nimble, and adapts instantly to weather shifts. You get first tracks on every single lap, matched strictly to your group’s pace.
• Personal Media Portfolio: While you are carving through Europe’s deepest snow, your filmer is tracking your lines from every angle. At the end of the trip, you walk away with a high-end personal media portfolio.

Pro Athletes & Home Base

Joining the trip as part of the core crew will be a featured Armada Pro Athlete (to be announced shortly), giving participants the rare chance to ride, session features, and collaborate on lines alongside world-class talent.

After daily laps, the crew returns to Riders Lodge Bakhmaro—the newest, most refined lodge in the valley. Blending modern comfort with authentic Georgian hospitality, the lodge offers a dedicated setup to dry out gear, review the day’s raw footage with our media crew, feast on local food, and plan the next morning’s objectives.

The Pro Gear Setup: Free Kit from Our Brand Partners

Stepping into the boots of a professional athlete means getting geared up like one. To ensure you’re fully equipped for the deepest snow in Europe, we’ve partnered with industry-leading brands to hook up every selected participant with a complete, top-tier setup:

• Armada Skis: A brand-new, pair of powder skis to handle Bachmaro’s deepest pow.
• Orage: A complete, high-performance outerwear kit (jacket and pants) built to withstand true backcountry elements.
• Dakine: A free Dakine Heli Pro backcountry backpack and a heavy-duty ski travel bag to get your gear to Georgia and back seamlessly.

The Trip at a Glance

• Dates: 5–12 February 2027
• Price: €3750.-
• Capacity: Strictly limited to 10 community spots
• Location: Bakhmaro, Georgia
• Includes: Unlimited cat-skiing access, premium lodge accommodation, full board, dedicated guiding, complete media production.

* Flights to and from Georgia are NOT included.

Note: While Downdays manages the media production, brand integrations, athlete involvement, and community experience, all travel bookings, packages, and legal execution are managed directly by our specialized Austrian travel agency partner.

How to Apply

Spaces for this 10-person Bakhmaro roster will fill fast. We are looking for confident freeriders with solid off-piste experience who are ready to ride hard and step into the frame.

To submit your application, send an email to experience@downdays.eu with:

1. Subject: Bakhmaro Experience Hub Application
2. About You: A brief summary of your skiing background (include links to video footage, certifications, or contest results if available).
3. Your Motivation: Why you want to join this specific project.