Housing prices in Mestia in winter

Indicative prices - for New Year housing can be a little more expensive, by the end of the season a little cheaper. Two types of housing are popular in Mestia: guesthouses and hotels. There are no "star" hotels here. Hostels in the usual format too. Apartments, rather, are called floors in residential buildings or adjacent rooms, sometimes with a separate entrance. There are no apartments in block houses at all. Nevertheless, there is a choice - both in terms of comfort level, and in the design of the premises, and in terms of price tag.

Guesthouses:

Double or multi-bed accommodation in a Georgian house. As a rule, the rooms are isolated (for example, two-, three- and four-bed rooms), and the amenities are shared on the floor. But the rule is not ironclad. In accommodation options called "guesthouse" there are one or two rooms with a private bathroom - you need to specify when booking. Guesthouses have a more "home" atmosphere. For lovers of immersion in the local culture, the most the best way accommodation.

• Only with breakfast: 10$-15$ per person per night
• With two meals a day: 20$-30$ per person per day

Hotels

Rooms for two, three, four people with private facilities. Hotels, as a rule, differ from guesthouses in a less homely atmosphere and the presence of common neutral (not together with the owners) recreation areas.

• Only with breakfast: 25$-30$ per person per night
• With two meals a day: $30-40 per person per day

Hi friends! I am writing to you from sunny Georgian. Spring is in full swing here. The birds are singing, the rivers are flowing, the temperature is approaching +20. Thus, it's time to finish with articles about snow, so today a short story about the mountains of Svaneti, which I visited a couple of days ago, and then I will write about the warm cities of Georgia.

Svaneti is the most beautiful mountainous region in western Georgia near the border with Abkhazia. Like most tourists, we stopped at (this district center region). There was a separate post about Svaneti in general and about Mestia in particular, but now let me show you the mountains for which people fly to Georgia from all over Europe!

Quickly realizing that there is nothing much to do in Mestia itself in March and remembering that there is 8 km from the city ski resort Hatsvali, we decided to walk to him on foot.

It is worth noting that I am no skier, as you could see by reading the post about and my attempts to get on skis. Thus, I went to Mount Hatsvali only to look at the surrounding beauty of Svaneti from a height of 2400 meters.

Resort Hatsvali

The Hatsvali ski resort was opened in 2011, few people know about it, so there are almost no people.

There are several tracks (blue, red and black). There is also a trail for beginners and the possibility of freeride and backcountry. On the territory there is one hotel and a cafe in it.

Nearby is a ski equipment rental. We went to Hatsvali on Sunday. The lift was empty (literally ten people were riding back and forth), the cafe at the top was closed.

The length of the cable car is 1400 meters.
Lifting time on the cable car - 15 minutes.
The lower station is located at an altitude of 1865 m.
The upper station is at an altitude of 2347 m.
Opening hours - from 10.00 to 16.00, in March and April until 18.00

cable car
Rare skiers

Cafe at the top, which turned out to be closed

How to get to Hatsvali from Mestia

If you do not have your own transport, then you can get to Hatsvali on foot or by taxi. Minibuses do not go there, and taxi drivers in March asked for 200 lari ($100) for a lift, so on the second day of our stay in Svaneti, after having breakfast and doing all our business, we went to the mountains.

Surprisingly, the 8 km long path at an angle of 7-8 degrees was very easy, and after 2 and a half hours we were at the foot of the cable car. I think this climb is even more picturesque in summer, but there is definitely a special charm in spring! We descended back to Mestia in an hour and a half.

You can get to Hatsvali from Mestia by car, but if there is a lot of snow on the road, the car will not pass. In winter and spring you need an SUV.

We leave Mestia. The road is clean.

On the outskirts of Mestia I meet the most beautiful cow in the world

I'm going uphill
After a couple of kilometers, snow appears on the road.

Mestia remained somewhere far away
After 3 hours we are at the top
We return back
The cow is in the same place. Waiting. Nicely!

Prices in Hatsvali

One lift on the cable car costs 5 GEL in both directions. After 15 minutes you find yourself at the top at the start of the ski slopes.
Ski pass for the day - 20 GEL ( 10$ )
Instructor for a day - 50 GEL ( 25$ ) or 20 lari ( 10$ ) in an hour
Ski or snowboard rental for the day - 25 GEL ( 12$ )
Lunch or dinner in a cafe near the start of the cable car - 10-20 GEL ( 5-10$ )
Accommodation in a guesthouse in Mestia - from 20-25 GEL ( 10-12$ ) per person based on double occupancy.

Conclusion: I really enjoyed the walk! There is silence all around, forest, mountains that have stood there for millions of years and will stand for as long. Thoughts from the head during the campaign disappear completely. You only live in the present moment. Is this not happiness?

People go to Svaneti mainly to go to the mountains, breathe the cleanest air, listen to the silence and enjoy natural products, forgetting about the existence of the rest of the world. If you are thinking what to see in Mestia, you can safely start sightseeing from Mount Hatsvali - you will definitely not regret it!

Be sure to read my Georgia online travel guide, which will help you plan your trip to Georgia:

Have a nice holiday in Svaneti! Sincerely,

Mestia (Georgia) is a colorful and somewhat mysterious settlement in the mountainous region of the country. This part of Georgia is known for amazing architectural structures and is called "The Land of a Thousand Towers". locals- Svans - for thousands of years erected high structures - quadrangular towers, economic and defensive tasks were assigned to such buildings. In addition to the towers, Svaneti attracts tourists with picturesque landscapes, architectural sights, and ancient churches. The architecture of the settlement is included in the list world heritage UNESCO. The region has long been considered the custodian of Georgian treasures collected and exhibited as exhibits in the Museum of History and Ethnography.

general information

Mestia (Svaneti) is located in the southern part Greater Caucasus at a distance of 128 km from Zugdidi (in northeast direction). The settlement is located at an altitude of 1.5 km. Local residents - Svans - an ethnic group that is distinguished by masculinity, a special culture and centuries-old traditions.

Interesting fact! The culture and traditions of the Svans have been known for 4,000 years.

The special flavor and originality of the Svans were formed over many millennia. The inhabitants of the mountains led an isolated lifestyle, since in winter the passes in the mountains were covered with snow, and Svaneti was cut off from the whole world. As a result of such isolation, conquerors never came to the territory of the region.

It is important! Svaneti has retained its inaccessibility - an asphalt road has been laid to Mestia - the capital of the region, then you need to move only on a dirt road. It is better to travel around the villages in the mountains by taxi.

In Svaneti, Georgia is represented in a concentrated form. In a small area, all the distinctive features of the country are collected - picturesque mountains, centuries-old legends, amazing lamb with tkemali sauce, the best honey in the world and, of course, harsh and laconic Svans.

Interesting to know! The main enemy of Svaneti is litsvri. This is a custom of blood feud, which in the highlands has acquired special significance. According to historical data, more than two hundred Georgian families died as a result of blood feuds over 5 centuries. The famous Svan towers were built primarily to protect against attacks by local residents.

Mestia makes an indelible impression on tourists who come to Georgia. Neat houses decorated in Alpine style, the city hall built in a modern style, an inconspicuous police building, the House of Justice, temples and monuments of justice coexist here.

The historical center of Mestia is the only place in the settlement that has not been restored. Outwardly, it looks like this - a bit of old Tallinn, mountain landscapes, cobbled streets and a dozen Svan towers.

What to watch and where to go

The most striking attraction of Mestia, residents call the museum "Georgian Louvre", because it has a unique collection that demonstrates the culture, customs and traditions of the Svans.

Among the exhibits are items made of gold and silver, armor of warriors, coins, works of art by local craftsmen. Remarkably, all exhibits were donated by parishioners to local churches. The collection of ancient Georgian manuscripts, dating back to the 9th-11th centuries, is recognized as the richest.

The attraction was founded in 1936, total There are 4,000 exhibits. The main exposition is exhibited on the second floor, in the halls arranged in a ring. On the ground floor there is only one hall dedicated to ethnography.

On a note! In hot weather, there is a cafe inside where you can drink soft drinks.

To plunge into the world of Svans, book a tour.

Price excursions will cost 25 GEL.

If you want to see the exhibits on your own, an adult ticket will cost 5 GEL, and a student ticket will cost 1 GEL.

visit attraction in Svnetia you can daily from 10-00 to 18-00 at the address: st. A. Lozeliani, 7, Mestia.

Find a museum simply - it is located in the southeast direction from central square Mestia. Traveling from Mestia to Ushguli, you pass by a two-story building where the attraction is located.

Chalaadi Glacier

The main attraction of Mestia in Georgia is tourist hiking trails. One of the most popular is an excursion to the Chalaadi glacier.

Beautiful place located next to Mestia. An excursion to the glacier does not require serious physical preparation, so the walk will be comfortable even for families with children. The route is equipped with comfortable paths.

Climbing to the glacier starts from the central square. It is necessary to follow to the suspension bridge (in the direction of the airport). Near the suspension bridge there is a cafe where you can buy water and picnic food. Here you can leave your car. Then there is a walk through the forest, you need to navigate by indicators.

It is important! The length of the route is 12.5 km, the hike takes about 8 hours. GPS coordinates Chalaadi Glacier: 43.117124, 42.696214.

If you prefer comfort, take a taxi or rent a car. Transport will take you to the forest. Price trip is 40-50 GEL.

There is a huge ice cave on the glacier, inside there is a lake. Unfortunately, you can’t get close to the cave, as stones fall from above. On the way you can stop for a picnic.

• near the glacier it is very cold even in the hottest weather, do not forget to take a jacket;
• the height difference is more than 500 m;
• the best time to visit is in summer and in the first half of autumn;
• do not go to the glacier in the rain - the road becomes wet and dangerous;
• wear comfortable, athletic shoes.

Ushba is one of the most famous in Georgia and the Caucasus. Its height is 4690 m, the shape is pointed, several climbing routes have been laid different levels difficulties. In Europe, Ushba is called the Caucasian Matterhorn because it resembles an alpine mountain.

Ushba has two peaks:

• South - it can be seen from the side of the Becho settlement;
• North - it can be seen from the Ugir pass.

Interesting fact! The first to be conquered was the Northern peak of the mountain - in 1888. On the south peak The first ascent was recorded in 1903. The famous "Mirror of Ushba" - a vertical section in the northern part of the mountain - was conquered by climber Mikhail Khergiani.

For tourists, trails of different difficulty levels are laid - from 4A to 6A. The mountain is best seen from the territory of the Bacho settlement. You can also see the peak from the village of Lakhushti.

Climbing, as a rule, starts from the village of Mazeri in the settlement of Bacho. Experienced climbers and ordinary tourists start climbing from here. The length of the ascent is 10 km, the walk takes about 8 hours. The height difference is more than 1 km. The trail passes near waterfalls and mineral springs.

On a note! You can travel on a horse that is rented in Becho or Latali.

It is important! A good, asphalted road has been laid to Mestia, everywhere road signs. On the way you will definitely meet picturesque rock tunnels.

It is better to hit the road early in the morning in order to arrive in Mestia during daylight hours.

Mestia (Georgia) is a special village that differs from plain Georgia. The inhabitants of the mountains look harsh, laconic, but hospitable and friendly. During the trip, you will experience unforgettable emotions and acquaintance with unique, inimitable Georgia.

Related posts:

You can write a lot about Georgia for a long time. This text is about three Georgian rolling places: Gudauri, Mestia, Gordezi. Pros, cons, logistics, prices, conclusions. About tourist attraction, border, pass, customs and personal feelings in the following texts. Here is only what applies to skating.

I came to Georgia after the Alps, Elbrus and Cheget. I ride behind the slopes, but I don’t really like walking up, so I’m always close to the ski lift. I can't say anything about the quantity, quality, length of the tracks. About long tours with guides too.

GUDAURI

The closest, highest and most expensive resort. It's the resort. Enough housing, enough restaurants and related services. Gudauri is the most popular Georgian resort, for which there is a price tag.

Pros:
+ Long season
+ Lots of off-piste
+ Low price to the ski pass
+ Powder days!!!
+ Minimal avalanche danger
+ It is very difficult to get lost and move to the wrong place

Minuses:
- Expensive housing. Finding a house for adequate money and walking in ski boots to the ski lift is a lot of work. No luck - you walk a kilometer along the road with cars. Or pay for ski in / ski out
- There are a lot of people on weekends and holidays, but the queues are small
- Apres ski with a limited budget is missing as a class
- The most party place is a supermarketwith cooking at the gas station

All this dull enumeration does not matter if it started to SNOW. Because the SNOW there is such that the head explodes with delight. Dry, weightless down to the waist, flooding the mask. It's a pity the slope is not enough to survive and not burrow into the blizzard.

SNOW besides the swimming experience also means some problems if you are traveling by car. After all, the pass is most likely closed and you will need to ride until it is opened. You can check the info along the way at https://vlars.ru or from the locals.

It is very convenient to come to Gudauri from Russia by car. The Georgian military road is incredibly beautiful, the distances are not significant. For 2 weeks of vacation, you can catch Elbrus / Cheget and here.

When all the puff was rolled out, and this is 2-3 days, without new snowfalls it becomes quite tough: mounds, low temperatures, mountain exposure. The snow loosens a bit in the afternoon, but you have to traverse very far on the flat to get out of the trenches. On the slopes, slalom skiing is good. On the board is more than sad. There is a snowpark, as it were, but it consists of a couple of strange large flights with almost no acceleration, I never went there.

Since Gudauri is close to the border, you can plan a skiing day and a trip to Russia in the evening. We did just that. Ride at the entrance to Georgia and at the exit. Savings in two expensive resort overnight stays, minus - it is not visible in the dark beautiful road. By the way, I don’t advise you to live in neighboring villages in order to save money: this is a mountain road and the efforts spent on it, on loading and unloading, are not worth the difference in money.

MESTIA

Mestia is very remote mountain village, where as many as 2 slopes were equipped in the vicinity. So remote that a minibus-helicopter flies from Tbilisi for some quite adequate money. Adequate because otherwise you will have to cut almost all day on mountain roads. Beautiful, yes, but still not always useful.

So, two slopes: Hatsvali and Tetnuldi.

Hatsvali- a fairly ordinary mountain with a slight drop. Skiers will love the speed and terrain. Theoretically between the tracks - Christmas trees with a good slope. In practice, instead of snow under the Christmas trees, there was concrete, for which the board completely refused to cling. For half a day we tried to set speed records, but some local teenagers on skis were faster, which was a little annoying.

Tetnuldi- a new, fresh juicy mountain. Just opened, three and a half people. FREE riding. It was. Have you seen somewhere that the lift was spinning for free all season to test and attract people? So that. The diagram looks promising. I think the 16-17 season will be great if they launch the second phase. We got the bottom line at the end of the season. It was hot, little snow, very little slope. But downstairs they put a stall with shawarma, hot dogs and drinks. The sun warmed pleasantly, the lift was completely empty. It was warm and pleasant.

Everything is fine? And here it is not. You live in Mestia, in the village. Both mountains can be reached by car. Only four-wheel drive with normal ground clearance will drive into Tetnuldi. Local taxis on Delica. For the second time, you will feel sorry for the car and you will use the GAZ ski bus. Yes, the ski bus is a watch based on GAZ, slow, nauseating and most uncomfortable. It delivers staff back and forth, well, you can ride. They say that in winter you can go to Mestia on your own, but you need to know how, it’s not obvious at all, and the river flows.

The road to Mestia is very mountainous, very serpentine, long, and somewhat rocky. But beautiful, of course, and very diverse. At some point you can see the valley and the sea. And Batumi, it seems.

And why all these inconveniences and waste of time? And then. Mestia is Svaneti, such a patriarchal region. Watchtowers, villages, cattle breeding, people... People. People are like you have been for a long time, and maybe you have never seen.

Apres ski in at its best. Of course, there are no clubs, but there are cafes, bars and just taking a walk. Housing an incredible amount and at ridiculous prices. Accommodation comes with homemade food for more than attractive money. Be sure to visit Koshki bar. Don't expect cool beer, just ask for food, wine or chacha. And talk to people.

Pros:
+ Cheap and varied accommodation
+ Plenty of eating and drinking establishments
+ Real harsh mountains around
+ Public

Minuses:
- Far from Tbilisi
- Skating is not interesting (as of 2016)
- The season is shorter than in Gudauri

GODERDZI

It's so strange place, which is not clear how this can be. There is no direct road from Tbilisi. I did not believe it, and we did not reach the Goderdzi pass for a couple of kilometers, having practiced until night with a shovel, jack and stones. Then we drank energy and went there, but with a detour of 500 km. This is clearly visible on the map. Interesting experience, but not worth the ride.

Goderdzi is located as far from civilization as Mestia. But if in Mestia there is a branch of this very civilization in the form of people, food and fun, then in Goderdzi there is nothing but a hotel and a lift. The hotel has a dining room, poor food. Opposite is a stall-wagon with booze and canned food. Take some Georgian with you, otherwise the prices will be too touristy.

We were extremely unlucky with the weather: cold, stormy, no visibility. The top of the lift was never turned on. Oh yes, there were 5 of us there. And the three of us and the servants rode. By the way, great respect to the guys from the technical staff who shared food with us and brought us to our senses after we were at 10 pm, beautiful ones, looked around the clay shit in search of a restaurant.

Since the mountain was hidden almost all the time by a snowstorm, I won’t say anything about it. The lower part is disgustingly flat, even the skier was spitting along the track. If you go exactly under the lift, you will come across funny shepherds' barns and a couple of hills with trees. But the plane is such that on the second day we fell into depression, visited the stall, and the rest of the day it, depression, dispersed. And in the morning, realizing that the top would never be turned on, they dumped it to the sea.

We still didn’t understand if the road was being cleaned, but we drove in places at the limit of the crossover’s capabilities on standard tires. We recommend calling the mountain and asking how they are doing. They speak Russian, but it's not immediately obvious on the phone =)

Perhaps in good weather it was necessary to take a guide and ride the backcountry. And everything would be great. But no, it's not.

Pros:
+ Possibility to get stuck on the road and test your SUV
+ Epic dam building
+ The ability to wonder why people climbed so high and live so sadly

Minuses:
- Nasty long road
- Flat at the bottom, steep at the top
- The complete absence of apres ski. We hang out in the room.

BAKURIANI

But we did not go to Bakuriani. In March-April it is already too warm there. This is the oldest and most popular resort. We decided it wouldn't be interesting. Maybe in vain, next time you can see.

FINDINGS

It is a must to go to Georgia. Ride, walk, swim - it doesn't matter. Necessarily. Incredible friendliness, crazy hospitality, delicious food, excellent wine. And mountains.

With proper planning, the budget for Georgia will be comparable to our resorts. Except Sochi, Sochi is more expensive. Food costs like ours, accommodation in Booking.com and Airbnb for every taste. I highly recommend driving your own car and having some time to spare. Firstly, to stop wherever you like, and secondly, so as not to be nervous if the pass is closed.

About the pass and the border in the next text about Georgia tourist. In short, everything is easier than it seems. But better four-wheel drive or chains.

Georgian gasoline is more expensive, but not critical. Prices in cafes and restaurants are lower than in Russia, and the quality of products is incomparably higher.

If someone needs numbers, I don't remember them. Everyone has their own budget. I have something like 2500 rubles a day for everything. Avoiding expensive cafes and outright trash like a hostel for 8 people. So a two-week trip costs 35,000 rubles, plus or minus booze and souvenirs. Georgia fits into this budget quite well.

There are no photos from the mountain and never will be. There are plenty of them on the web. Pictures with my feelings can be found on VKontakte and in the following text.

Svaneti - mountainous area in Georgia - located on its picturesque territory ski center Hatsvali. It is located at an altitude of 1500 m above sea level. But the tracks themselves are much higher. In the Mestia region, Hatsvali is the “youngest” among the resorts, it is only 5 years old.

Funding for its construction came from the state budget, so the center began to work after 6 months. The development of Hatsvali is still ongoing and with each ski season new mountain slopes are created and opened.

Ski season and climate

The subtropical climate causes a lot of precipitation, snow cover in winter is plentiful. The average January temperature is +6°C. Ski season: December-April.

Characteristics of Hatsvali

General indicators:

• the lowest point of the resort - 1,865 m;
• the most high point– 2,347 m;
• average height difference - 480 m;
• number of tracks - 3;
• the length of the green, simplest route - 700 m;
• the length of the blue (the longest) route is 2,600 m;
• the length of the red route is 1,900 m;
• the number of lifts - 3, of which 2 tows (600 and 800 meters each) and 1 four-seat (1,462 m long);
• the trails are illuminated at night;
• there are freeride zones;
• ski equipment and equipment rental service;
• instructor training services;
• children can learn to ski at the Mestia ski school;
• rescue team, which was organized and trained by experienced French specialists.

Since the resort is new, the number of runs is still small, and their complexity is not designed for professionals.

But on the other hand, freeride zones, as tourists note, are very spacious and run through the most beautiful places.

Additional sports services

Hatsvali has some amazing backcountry and ski touring trails, trails and trails for horseback riding.

These paths will lead the tourist to the mysterious and beautiful mountainous region of the Caucasus, to the peaks of Tetnuldi or Ushba.

Reference: "Backcountry" and "skitouring" are new sports directions in snowboarding and skiing when the ascent to the top of the slope is carried out on foot, and not on a lift. It is a combination of hiking mountain tourism and skiing from the slopes.

Ski lifts are designed for both adults and children. The chair mechanism, which lifts to the upper station in 10 minutes, has a capacity of 1,000 people per hour. And while there are not too many tourists here, queues are not peculiar to the resort.

Among the accommodation options for a guest in Hatsvali there are several hotels (the most popular is Hatsvali) and about 20 guesthouses (guest houses).

living conditions and hotel service different, as are the prices. And yet, tourists give preference to guest houses, mainly because of the noticeable cheapness.

Prices for ski-pass, accommodation and services

• The cost of a ski-pass is approximately 20 lari, which is equal to $9. If you buy a subscription for several days, the resort will kindly provide a discount.
• Hotels accommodate in a double room and two meals a day for 240 GEL ($ 100) per day. There are prices and higher, with more luxurious rooms and extended service conditions. Budget rooms are also available. Their prices vary from 120 to 190 lari ($50-80).
• Guest houses are much cheaper: for 1 person from 55 GEL ($ 23) per night, with the provision of two meals a day.
• The cost of learning to ski with an instructor is 20 GEL per hour. The price for 1 day is 50 GEL.
• Ski and snowboard rental - 25 GEL for 1 day.
• Transfer to the ski lift and back costs 120 GEL for a six-seater car.

To Hatsvali additional services not so much. There are several restaurants, bars, cafes, souvenir shops and shops, hotels provide massage, spa services, there are swimming pools, hamams, baths, saunas.

There are cafes at the upper and lower lift stations where you can warm up with a glass of hot, warming mulled wine.

Entertainment

Hatsvali Hotel has a large restaurant serving meals variety of cuisines. Although mostly traditional Georgian recipes. Tourists here first of all try Georgian shish kebab.

If you come to Hatsvali, be sure to go to Mestia. This city is only 8 km.

The Mestian hotel "Tetnuldi" conducts an interesting "rite": a fire is kindled in the central hall in a stone pedestal. This creates an atmosphere of comfort, romance and sincerity.

The highlight of the resort and the entire region of Svaneti has become the local unique architecture.

The centuries-old Svan towers, breathing the grandeur and pride of the people of Georgia, attract attention.

How to get to Hatsvali

In Georgia, the work of transport rarely follows schedules and order, which gives tourists a lot of adventure.

Svaneti, where Hatsvali (Mestia) is located, is a remote region. You can get to the resort in the following ways:

• by plane from Tbilisi or Kutaisi airports;
• others ground transport through the city of Zugdidi.

Tbilisi - Mestia.

1. The plane from the capital flies three times a week. It departs from Natakhtari Airport, near Tbilisi. The cost of a plane ticket to Mestia is 65 GEL (in 1 direction).
2. Early morning minibuses at the airport depart as the bus fills up. Ticket price - from 8 to 12 lari.
3. Night train and bus departing from Tbilisi will take you to Zugdidi, from where you can get to Mestia.

Kutaisi - Mestia, Batumi - Mestia.

Minibuses depart from Batumi and Kutaisi airports for Mestia. Their schedule is coordinated with the time of flights. Ticket price - 25 GEL. You can also go through Zugdidi, where buses go more often.

Zugdidi as a connecting point.

In Zugdidi, at the bus station next to the Svan Tower, all buses going to Mestia stop until noon. You can also hire a taxi here.

Of course, you can pre-order a comfortable transfer to the resort from the desired airport.

You can fly to Mestia by helicopter from Tbilisi for 37 GEL. From Mestia to Hatsvali there is a beautiful road, but public transport doesn't drive. Desperate daredevils walk.

To do this, we go to the road leading to the Ushguli community. Then we pass the museum of Svaneti and after a kilometer of the way we meet a turn to the right - this is the road to Hatsvali. Sometimes on the way there are rides that are not averse to throwing a tourist.

You can rent a car, but in winter and spring you need an SUV. Since there is a lot of snow on the roads in this area.