Davenport is recognized as one of the world's most accomplished ski mountaineers. He chose to work with Helly Hansen due to the brand's 130-year history of producing apparel for work and sport in the world's harshest environments. In addition to wearing Helly Hansen while skiing and during his speaking engagements, Davenport will assist with product development involved with Helly's Odin apparel system for mountain professionals. The Odin collection, introduced in December 2007, features an exclusive series of professional-grade baselayers, insulators and outerwear designed for expeditioners and mountain workers who spend weeks to months at a time knee deep in snow and ice.

"Joining the Helly Hansen team is a very special opportunity for me as I have long been a fan of their style and technical function with regards to design. I am looking forward to continue to push boundaries in big mountains all over the world in Helly Hansen apparel."

Davenport has already completed more impressive descents than any other skier over the past decade yet he's hungry for more and has already put into place plans to ascend and ski multiple classic peaks in the European Alps, including the Matterhorn, the Eiger, Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa with Helly Hansen skier Stian Hagen. In addition, he has plans to ski all 13 of California's 14,000-foot peaks and ski the near vertical fluted ice face of Peru's 18,100-foot Alpamayo in the Cordillera Blanca range.

"Chris is as authentic as they come," said Mike Arzt, Helly Hansen team manager. "He has an infectious personality and is skilled beyond reason. Chris's input will be invaluable for Helly Hansen. If he says something works, there's no question it's proven its worth in conditions that no one else would dare to attempt."

In addition to Davenport, big mountain freeskier James Heim out of Whistler, B.C., was named to the Helly Hansen ski team. Heim is well known on the IFSA circuit and became a cult celebrity in 2007 through his flawless segment in Matchstick Productions' Seven Sunny Days. Davenport and Heim join Eric Pollard, Eric Hjorleifson, Mark Abma, Ashley Battersby, Hugo Harrison, P.K. Hunder and Stian Hagen on the international team.

Helly Hansen has manufactured technical outdoor apparel since 1877.Today the brand is recognized as a global leader in technical apparel and footwear designs for a range of alpine and water sports activities. Helly Hansen products are distributed in more than 40 countries. Helly Hansen's North American operations are based in Delta, B.C. For more information on Helly's products, team news, or to locate a dealer, visit www.hellyhansen.com