April 28, 2011 – The Altai Ski Company is born. Altai Skis represent a convergence of utility and adventure in backcountry ski design. Altai Skis’ first ski, the Hok, is a hybrid of ski and snowshoe. The design is short and wide with a climbing skin integrated into its base. The ski allows for easy climbing and predictable downhill control by the user.

The Hok is incredibly maneuverable and easy to use, a great cross between snowshoes and cross-country skis. The skis is designed for use whenever and wherever there is snow and is the ideal tool for the pocket backcountry found out the back door and in nearby parks and woodlands. The ski is equally well suited for exploring the local hills or mountains.

Founded by Nils Larsen and Francois Sylvain, Altai Skis is focused on design inspired by the true spirit and utility of backcountry skiing.

Larsen and Sylvain are ski industry veterans who have worked extensively together in the past. They believe that the easily accessible, everyday backcountry is generally overlooked by much of the current equipment offered. “We believe that the term ‘backcountry’ can and should include the patch of woods behind your house or the hills just out of town. For many of us, this is the most accessible and affordable terrain we can get to on a regular basis.” says Larsen.

The name Altai Skis was inspired by the ski culture found in the Altai Mountains of northern Asia. Since 2005, Larsen has been documenting the indigenous ski culture in the region that dates back thousands of years. The local culture’s go-everywhere, do-everything skis are the inspiration for Altai Skis.

Sylvain brings 12 years of ski design and construction experience with Karhu and Line skis to Altai Skis. His designs are highly regarded in alpine and nordic ski categories.

Larsen has been at the forefront of the backcountry ski scene for the last 25 years and started working at Karhu Skis in the early 1990’s. Together, they developed the majority of telemark, backcountry, and XCD skis that Karhu released in the last 10 years.

More information can be found at the website www.altaiskis.com.

December 16, 2010 (Burlington, VT) – The Catamount Trail Association has a great line-up of winter events for you to participate in this season, including a Ladies Nordic Ski Expo, the Catamount Trail Outdoor Winter Photography Workshop, and the Get Out and Backcountry Ski Festival. Read on for more details and how to register.

Ladies Nordic Ski Expo – January 8th at the Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, VT
If you are a woman and want to learn or improve your classic, skate, or backcountry technique, you wont find a better way to spend a winter day. This all-day clinic features some of the best women instructors in the East, helping you to fine tune your technique or teach you the basics of the sport. The day consists of three ski sessions, lunch, a backcountry slide show presentation by author David Goodman, and a wine and cheese social to top off a perfect day. This event is almost full with just 8 spots left to fill. Visit www.CatamountTrail.org or call 802-864-5794 to register or for more information.

Catamount Trail Outdoor Winter Photography Workshop – Jan 14-16th at the Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, VT
Whether you are a passionate amateur photographer or an aspiring professional, well-known photographers Emily Johnson and Brian Mohr will give you all the tips and techniques needed to get the most out of your winter photos. Brian and Emily will lead participants on skis or snowshoes to the virgin snow of the backcountry to shoot everything from landscape to action photography under their experienced guidance. This two-day workshop will cover the following subjects:

– Winter Light – Being comfortable and creative with winter’s challenging and ever-changing light;
– Creative Compositions – Exploring focus, perspective, and composition with a variety of winter scenes;
– Exposure – Understanding and balancing shutter speed, aperture and ISO;
– Camera Handling – Tricks to making winter photography easy in the face of winter’s elements;
– Advanced Techniques – Action; Night/low-light; Macro-photography; Tri-pod use;
– Digital Workflow – Advice on how to store, organize, protect, process and display your photographs.

The workshop will include lodging, meals, and trail pass. Visit www.CatamountTrail.org or call 802-864-5794 to register or for more information.

Get Out and Backcountry Ski Festival – Jan 23rd at Bolton Valley Resort,VT
Designed for beginner to intermediate backcountry skiers, this popular full day event will promise to be another sell-out. Learn from expert backcountry instructors as they take you through a wide range of skills designed to improve everything from your telemark turns to maneuvering in unbroken powder. Try out demo skis, listen to talks on equipment and safety, and enjoy the end of the day social gathering with refreshments. The clinic includes instruction, trail pass, demo tryouts, and drinksl. Visit www.CatamountTrail.org or call 802-864-5794 to register or for more information.