Team

About us

We are not a school and not a tour operator. We bring together people who feel at home in the mountains — those who love to ride, make mistakes, and learn. Our main goal is to unite kindred spirits. We'll ride, and we'll organize camps and training trips.

We don't want to slide into typical commercial tourism that sells hundreds of identical tours with identical photos. We'll keep things small but genuine — with warmth, atmosphere, and people who care.

WE

Mountains, friends and a bit of madness...

AlekseiIvanov

Founder & Lead Instructor

I founded the_Vrh with a simple idea — to bring together people who truly love the mountains: those who want to ride consciously, safely, and work on their technique.

Aleksei Ivanov
Aleksei Ivanov

Teaching Philosophy

I believe that everyone can progress in the mountains with the right guidance and supportive community. My goal is not just to teach technique, but to help riders develop the confidence and judgment needed to make good decisions in the backcountry.

Background & Experience

Beyond instruction, I am an experienced backcountry rider with many years of practice in ski touring and freeriding. I understand the importance of avalanche safety, weather assessment, and mountain ethics. I design every camp not only to improve your riding, but also to help you become more aware.

Certifications

  • NRLI (ISIA) Snowboard Instructor
  • 25+ years of riding experience
  • FWQ 2* and FWQ 3* freeride competition participant

Video Analysis — The Best Way to See the Truth

We film your riding, break it down frame by frame, and honestly assess what can be improved. A couple of minutes of analysis often gives more than a day of riding.

IrishkaIvanova

Designer & Content Creator

Snowboarding, climbing, trekking — everything connected to the mountains has long been part of my life. I love creating atmosphere: photos, videos, texts, and design. I share what genuinely inspires me.

Irishka Ivanova
Irishka Ivanova

Philosophy

I've been snowboarding for over 12 years, and every winter still feels like the first — full of excitement, small mistakes, and that same feeling that started it all.

Besides snowboarding, I love climbing and trekking — they teach patience, attentiveness, and how important it is to trust yourself and the people around you.

The main thing for me is atmosphere, warmth, and that feeling when the team becomes family.

Teaching Philosophy

Everyone has their own pace and that's perfectly fine. We don't rush or compare, we simply help you ride with more confidence and feel comfortable in the mountains.

HuseinAltai

Ski Alpinist & Local in Turkey

With experience in ski touring, freeriding, and winter mountaineering, I build thoughtful and safe routes in the mountains of Turkey.

Husein Altai
Husein Altai

Teaching Philosophy

Safety, nature, and genuine emotions are key — when you truly feel the spirit of the mountains.

Experience and Qualifications

I have extensive experience in route planning, group management, and risk assessment in high-altitude and winter conditions. Over the years, I've gained a lot of practice in ski touring, freeriding, and winter ascents. I'm trained in avalanche safety and always prioritize reliability and correct decisions in the mountains.

Certifications

  • 8+ years of riding experience
  • 10+ years of mountaineering experience

the_Vrh