Voile keeps quietly moving forward with strategic moves that continue to give them a solid hold on where the sport of backcountry skiing is headed, and by skiing I mean glisse, the art of schussing downhill whether you’re wearing one or two boards on your feet. Their latest move has less to do with hardware is it does with the people who are to become the face of the technology behind the Voile brand.

Addition of Noah Howell pretty much guarantees that contrary to Powder Whore’s hints that last year’s flick will be the last, the saga will continue and Voile will be an obvious beneficiary. This also means Howell adds the persuasive power of video to Voile’s appropriately targeted marketing program.

Noah will assume the in-house role as the team manager for Voile athletes, including existing athletes Neil Provo plus the husband and wife team of Zach and Cindi Grant. Added to the team are skiers Kalen Thorien, Eric Balken, and Noah Howell.

Quoting from Voile’s Press Release announcing these additions to the team:

“Six years ago Kalen could barely scratch her way down a blue run on skis. Now she rips harder than most! And by most I mean men and women. Having fallen in love and then mastered her snow craft she spends all her winter time traveling and shredding with a good energy that is highly contagious. Kalen has quickly made a name for herself by nailing cover shots for Powder and Ski Magazine as well as being named one of 2014’s “Rising Stars” by Outside Magazine. She’s a tough one to follow on the mountain, best to try and keep up with her via her Instagram or her website to see what she’s up to. She is also sponsored by Backcountry.com, Discrete Clothing, Dragon Optics, Mystery Ranch Packs, Kate’s Real Food Bars, Alta Ski Area, and Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort.

“Freestyle funny-man and Salt Lake City native, Eric Balken, holds degrees in Environmental Studies and Geography from the University of Utah.  Eric has been featured in numerous ski publications including the cover of the 2012 Backcountry Magazine s Gear Guide. Eric has found the perfect balance of work and play and doesn’t take life super seriously.
His playful style and desire to flip and spin have brought new vibe and youthful approach to the V-Team. When not skiing or pursuing his next meaty meal, he is the Program Director for the Glen Canyon Institute, a local non-profit. He is also sponsored by Flylow, Smith Optics, Snogression, Alta, Brighton, and Alpine Haus.

“‘We’re super stoked to be working closely with these local athletes,’  says David Grissom, Voile  Sales and Marketing Manager.  ‘This is a unique opportunity to have our athletes intimately involved in the R&D process. They can just drop by our facility in the morning to grab product and we ll have valuable feedback sometimes the same day.’
 
“‘Managing a team is new territory for me,’  says Noah Howell.  ‘I’m really excited about this small and dedicated crew we’ve assembled so far. My goal is to help our backcountry riders get what they need to keep on living out their dreams and being rad, then help Voile  utilize the content that comes forth from their exploits.'”

These three additions give Voile better visibility in the social arena of the modern communications by adding core athletes who really get after it in the backcountry and are clearly identified with by younger skiers (who will soon replace the existing demographic of gray-haired gummers).

© 2014