BORN TO SKI
Photographer of Indigenous People & Traditional Cultures
Deep in the Altai Mountains, a father and son keep alive a tradition of making their own winter gear that may date back to the very beginnings of skiing. There 40-year-old Mierbieke is the sole protector of ancient skills. For uncounted generations, his family have passed down the knowledge need to make skis, for this region is said to be the cradle of skiing. Now it is Mierbieke’s turn to pass on the knowledge.
Skis have long been used to help move about on the snow, but also for hunting deer, chased into deep snow where they exhausted themselves. This is no longer permitted as the region is a national park. Mierbieke’s son Wulahati however has different goals in mind: dreaming of one day becoming a sportsman.
Skis have long been used to help move about on the snow, but also for hunting deer, chased into deep snow where they exhausted themselves. This is no longer permitted as the region is a national park. Mierbieke’s son Wulahati however has different goals in mind: dreaming of one day becoming a sportsman.