3 new airlifts to be built by Didveli in Bakuriani

The Georgian ski resort of Bakuriani is getting ready to host 2023 Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships by developing its infrastructure – this includes buildings three new ski lifts in the area.

One of the world’s leading Austrian-Swiss companies, Doppelmayr-Garaventa Group, signed a contract to begin construction of three new ropes in Bakuriani, near Didveli on August 14. The agreement with the Austrian-Swiss company was signed by “Mountain Resorts Development Company” that operates under the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.

Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group is an international manufacturer of ropeways and people movers for ski areas, urban transport, amusement parks, and material handling systems. As of 2019, the group has produced over 15,000 installations in 96 countries.

The construction of three new airlifts in Bakuriani will take place in the vicinity of Didveli for the World Championship of Ski and Snowboard Freestyle scheduled in 2023.

Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze, who arrived at the event, said the confidence expressed by the international partners recognize that Georgia has a sound, effective and targeted strategy for developing winter resorts. “As a regular Georgian, I am very proud that our country will host the World Freestyle Championship in 2023. It is a great victory and great responsibility at the same time. It means tremendous trust, which has been demonstrated to us by the International Ski Federation. I wish to express my gratitude to them for this trust. It also shows that our international partners acknowledge that Georgia pursues the right, effective, and targeted strategy for the development of winter resorts,” said the head of government in his speech.

He said the development of the infrastructure means more tourists and more jobs in Bakuriani.

“I am delighted that we managed to double the number of tourists to winter destinations in the past 4 years. Hence, the development of the highlands and winter resorts is the most significant priority of our government. It means that we need to make significant investments to make the resorts compliant with high standards” - added the Prime Minister of Georgia.

According to the head of the government the World Freestyle Championship in 2023 and Winter Youth Olympic Festival in 2025 that Georgia has ambitions to host, serve to the need of the main goal - gain experience and host the Winter Olympic Games in Georgia. “I am also positive that Georgia will be rediscovered again through hosting these tournaments as a country of best winter resorts,” noted PM.

The Head of Administration of Georgian Ski Federation, Sopho Akhmeteli spoke with The Messenger about the upcoming event as well.

“New ski lifts and ski tracks are to be built in Bakuriani in connection with the 2023 World Championship, hosting which is a great success for the country. The publicity and popularity of our country will increase, and the infrastructure that is to be built will remain in Georgia. Altogether, this will promote the development of skiing as well as a healthy lifestyle,” she said.

Last year, Georgia solidified its place amongst the world's winter tourism destinations with the announcement that it was going to host the 2023 Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championship in Bakuriani. As a preparation for the championship, the International Ski Federation held Europa Cup races in Georgia last winter.

The FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships is the world championship organized by the International Ski Federation (FIS) for freestyle skiing and snowboarding. It was first organized in 1986 and is now held every odd year.