Peltonen Ski appointed Alpina Sports Corporation as their distributor in USA and Canada effective from January 1, 2008. Peltonen will round out the Alpina Sports offering with Racing, Top Level Sport Performance and Traditional Touring skis. Alpina will continue to also offer its own ski brand designed for the North American Touring and BC markets.

Peltonen’s managing director Juhani Eskelinen notes that the appointment of Alpina is an important step in Peltonen’s distribution plan: “We had a very long and positive relationship with our Canadian Distributor but had nothing that could compare with what Alpina Sports can offer in terms of the total North American market access or reputation. For the Peltonen brand, this is an excellent opportunity”.

According to Alpina Sports’ VP of sales, Steve Kvinlaug, “We have been speaking with Peltonen for the last few years. The relationship just jelled and the door opened for us to bring the brand on as our top performance ski line. We are very excited about the product; it has a solid history and a real technology advantage with the patented Hybtonite Nanoepoxy construction and the first in the industry 9 click NIS binding plate.”

Rapala VMC Corporation, a fishing tackle and sporting goods manufacturer and distributor, is the main owner of Peltonen with its 80% shareholding. Rapala’s own distribution companies sell Peltonen skis and other winter sports equipment in the Nordic counties.