Altay Mountain Lodge & Yurts is a company specializing in the customized exploration of the best skitouring spots in the East Kazakhstan region.
We have been in the industry for many years, both as guides and organizers. These days we cooperate to make one of Central Asia’s best backcountry skiing operations.
We love skiing in the Altay Mountains and want to share this passion with you.
![](http://altaymountainlodge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/aml_team_mintsev.jpg)
Grigory Mintsev
Born and raised in the Kamchatka peninsula, Grigory spent all his free time in the mountains and forests. He started working in the adventure travel industry in the late 90s as an organizer and guide. Grigory got an Economics and Law university degree, but his love for skiing, backpacking and mountaineering brought him to different professional careers. After several years in Canada, he became a certified Ski Guide with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, and Professional Member of the Canadian Avalanche Association. He has been skiing all over the world and for 10+ years he has been running skitouring and heliski operations in Kamchatka and Siberia, but in 2022 shut down all the programs in Russia and joined our team.
When he is not working in the summer months, you’ll find him riding a mountain bike or trail running in his home mountains. For the last 10 years, he has been based in Chamonix Valley, France.
![](http://altaymountainlodge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/aml_team_polyakova-835x1024.jpeg)
Yuliya Polyakova
![](http://altaymountainlodge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/aml_team_mikhailov.jpg)
Dmitry Mikhailov
Born in a big city but started alpine skiing in childhood. And fell in love with this activity for the rest of his life. After skiing a lot throughout different regions all over the planet, he spent a lot of time in Siberia in winter and in Kazakhstan in spring. He got a guiding certification (Ski Guide) with RMGA and the best Canadian instructors. He has spent eight full seasons guiding in Georgia, Siberia, and Kazakhstan, primarily for skitouring and ski-mountaineering with a bit of heliskiing and catskiing. Now settled in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and do most of the guiding in the Altay and Tien-Shan mountains.
![](http://altaymountainlodge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/aml_team_skrypin-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Gleb Skrypin
Gleb has a strong management consulting background and is primarily responsible for organizing the team to be efficient and productive. He has a good recreational level of avalanche and backcountry education and is always eager to get better at safely and joyfully going to the mountains and riding powder.
![](http://altaymountainlodge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/aml_team_mintseva_.jpg)
Mariya Mintseva
Born in Kazakhstan and raised in Siberia, Mariya has spent many years exploring Siberian mountains and forests. A passionate backcountry skier, she also enjoys rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking and mountaineering.
With over two decades dedicated to backcountry skiing, Mariya’s journey has led her through the Western Siberia, volcanoes of Kamchatka, French and Italian Alps, Chilean volcanoes and Argentinian Andes, to Belukha, the highest mountain of the Altay Mountains. Notably, Mariya has graced the podium on multiple occasions in local freeride competitions.
Beyond her mountain passions, Mariya holds a degree in Psychology and boasts extensive experience in the travel and skiing industry. Including five years as a program coordinator in French ski resorts and over a decade as an office manager for various ski touring and heliski operations .
Mariya commands all communications and office responsibilities. From your initial inquiry to the moment you step foot in the lodge, she’s your reliable guide.
![](http://altaymountainlodge.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/aml_web_team_denis.jpg)
Denis Yevdokin
Denis is truly local, born and raised in town of Ridder surrounded by Altay Mountains. Big part of his work experience is working for local mines, but his passion was always snowboarding and outdoor activities. After a few years in the travel industry he joined our team and participated in lodge construction.
Denis is in charge for all the technical systems of the lodge, your warm and cozy stay depends on him a lot! He also works a tail-guide and snowmobile driver. He has a high recreational level of avalanche and backcountry education and working towards to become a professional ski guide.
![](http://altaymountainlodge.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/aml_team_zazdravnykh.jpg)
Konstantin Zazdravnykh
![](http://altaymountainlodge.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/aml_team_owen_day.jpeg)