David Buzzard Photo

“Let me open both doors before you come in. Please, no stampede.” Came the words from a slightly anxious looking Fairmont employee as she opened the doors to the 6^th Arc’teryx Deep Winter Photo Challenge. Like Germans at a pool, people run to chairs throwing jackets, scarves, hats and gloves down to secure their seat for the show. Feet Banks, looking dapper in a grey waistcoat and shirt, introduces the six photographers; Reuben Krabbe, Steve Lloyd, Mark Gribbon, Mason Mashon, Jussi Grznar and Robin O’Neill. With a bottle of beer in hand I sit back and enjoy a trip through the sunniest Deep Winter in Whistler history.

Up for grabs is $8,500, which will be split amongst the top three photographers selected by a panel of judges. They’ll be looking for technical composition, originality and creativity, and in the words of Banks, “overall awesomeness”. The first to take to the big screen is Reuben Krabbe. Originally from Calgary, but smartly now residing in Whistler, he’s the youngest of the competitors at 21. His show begins with a thoughtful voiceover about the highs and lows that winter athletes face. Hollers rip through the crowd when his shot of a skier caught in the lens of his Pentax camera slides into view. With skiers Dave and Dan Treadway ripping up the snow, Krabbe’s slideshow ended to a round of applause. Steve Lloyd from Utah was second up, and happened to be sitting right next to me. He told me her relied on his athlete’s local knowledge of the mountain to get the best shots, and they certainly didn’t let him down. His images are raw and real, a similar theme to Reuben in that he focused on the sometimes-painful aspects of skiing – if you don’t like needles look away. Mark Gibbon added a change of pace with some high impact snowboarding action. His “Dexter” themed opening drew a chuckle, but this didn’t take away from the seriously impressive photography. His shot of black tusk reflected in a mountain hut window drew gasps.

Described as a “Man of few words, but many activities”, and sporting a Movember throwback tash, Mason Mashon and crew took the stage. One image drew my attention, “Is that the ice rink at Cheakamus Crossing?” Mashon captured the magic of this make shift rink, added a snowboarder mid air shot right et voila, he had the crowd’s attention. Jussi Grznar let us in to his home, giving a personal touch to his slideshow offering. He juxtaposes grandious images of the mountains with the machinery that carves it at night, and the riders that pound it during the day. Touching and humorous, there was a definite buzz in the air after this one. Last but not least, the femme fatale known as Robin O’Neill introduced her show entitled “Lifers”. Robin has a knack of finding intriguing characters and using her photography to hint at their story. Viewers want to know more as they watch her shots roll past, and that’s where she gets you.

David Buzzard Photo

I hate intermissions. The judges head off to deliberate and I don’t envy them. It’s going to be tough. Twitter gossip has it that Jussi or Robin will be taking the top spot, but it’s not up to them – or is it? Whistler Blackcomb has introduced the “Peoples Choice” so mere mortals like you and I can put our two cents in.  Check it out online for your chance to win goodies from Gore-Tex, Atomic and GoPro: CLICK HERE.

David Buzzard Photo

Without further ado Banks announced the winners in ascending order. Third place and $1000 went to Reuben Krabbe, second place and $2500 went to Jussi Grznar, and announcing the first ever Queen of the Storms, Robin O’Neill took the crown and $5,000. A round of applause to Robin, the combined Queen of both Deep Winter and Deep Summer, her storytelling through photography captured the judges and the audience – a well deserved win.

David Buzzard Photo

David Buzzard Photo