Long before ski resorts, chairlifts, and freeride competitions existed, the nomadic people of Mongolia’s Altai Mountains were already crossing frozen valleys and high mountain passes on handmade wooden skis. For thousands of years, skiing here was not a sport, but an essential part of daily life — used for hunting, travel, and survival in one of the world’s harshest mountain landscapes. The roots of this ancient ski culture can still be found in the Altai’s rock art, where 3,000-year-old petroglyphs depict hunters carrying bows while skiing across the mountains.
Inspired by this extraordinary history, Faction Ski Company traveled deep into the Mongolian Altai to trace the origins of skiing and create the documentary "150 Hours From Home, Into the Altai", featuring renowned skiers and mountain athletes Sam Anthamatten, Elisabeth Gerritzen, Cody Cirillo, and Andrew Pollard.
Mongolia Expeditions LLC proudly provided logistics support for the expedition across the remote Altai Mountains. From the Mongolian side, expedition guide Saina and cook Bambar worked closely with the international crew throughout the journey.
The film premiered during the 2025–2026 ski season in European cinemas and is now available on YouTube, sharing not only the beauty of Mongolia’s Altai, but also the ancient origins of skiing itself.
Watch the journey back to where skiing began: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CDyQXtBGBw&t=6s
