Deputy Economy Minister says Bakuriani will host Ski, Snowboard World C’ships "with honour"

Georgian Deputy Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili has said the country’s winter resort of Bakuriani is ready to host the 2023 Freestyle Ski, Snowboard and Freeski World Championships in February “with honour”, after inspecting the infrastructure created and upgraded for the event in the town.

The Ministry cited Kvrivishvili as saying the works were “practically completed”, as she was introduced to the new infrastructure in the location while joined by Irakli Burchuladze, the head of the Mountain Trails Agency.

Photo: Ministry of Economy

The Deputy Minister inspected the two artificial reservoirs installed for the snowmaking system in Didveli and Mitarbi areas of the resort.

"The large-scale infrastructural works necessary for hosting the World Cup have been practically completed in Bakuriani, which includes the arrangement of artificial reservoirs and the installation of a 29-kilometre snowmaking system”, Kvrivishvili said.

“This important infrastructure will help Georgia host the Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships in Bakuriani with honour. At the same time, the said infrastructure will strengthen the resort of Bakuriani, extend the winter tourist season and increase the number of visitors", she added.

• Deputy Economy Minister praises infrastructure works in Bakuriani ahead of 2023 World Championships

Photo: Ministry of Economy

In addition to the snowmaking system, the upgrades include new cable cars and six new tracks prepared ahead of the competition, while special safety equipment was also obtained, as ₾300 million ($98.16mln) was spent on the project.

Georgia was granted the hosting rights of the tournament by the International Ski Federation congress in 2018, with the event set to run between February 16 and March 5.