Browsing “Captured”

Building on the popularity and feedback from the last three years, Whistler Outdoor Photography Workshops is pleased to announce the dates for a Fall Whistler Outdoor Photography Summit, September 26-29, 2013. This year’s summit is in conjunction with the Whistler Arts Council and Out of Bounds Backcountry Photo Contest, a premier photo exhibition with a $1,000 cash prize.

“Photography in Whistler and the outdoor activities that we love go hand and hand just like the athletes and the equipment they use on the mountain. Documenting and sharing our adventures with others inspires us to be out in the mountains even more.” – Director Blake Jorgenson

Details:

• Full Advanced Course: 3 days of shooting and instruction, 6 evening lectures/presentations over 3 evenings – $900 (includes breakfast)
• Full Intermediate Course: 3 days of shooting and instruction, 6 evening lectures/presentations over 3 evenings, – $750 (includes breakfast)
• Evening lectures x 2: $10 per lecture, $15 for both or $50 for all 3 nights.

Instructors:

• Blake Jorgenson
• Jordan Manley
• Scott Serfas
• Paul Morrison
• Eric Berger
• Guest industry speakers TBA Read more

Whistler has many waterfalls located in the near vicinity that only require a short drive and maybe a small walk to get to. I try to make it to all of em at least once a year as they always amaze me. Recently a few friends and I made it to a few all in one day including one I’d never been to.

Alexander Falls is located a short drive south on Hwy 99 and a few km up Callaghan Valley Rd.

Brandywine Falls is a short 10-15min walk from the Brandywine Falls Provincial Park parking lot located off of Hwy 99 10min south of Whistler. Exposed columnar basalt lava flows give this waterfall a unique look.

Nairn Falls is just south of Pemberton and takes a 15min walk to get to and has a character all of its own with its canyon like walls funneling the water into the final falls.

Snapped this shot on the way to our next destination on Pemberton Creek.

Locals call it Pemberton Falls, requiring a bit of a scramble and we lost the trail a couple times but follow Pemberton Creek near town up and you will be rewarded.

Other waterfalls in the area include Rainbow Falls, just off the Rainbow Lake trail and one of my favourites Shannon Falls located in Squamish.

Well another World Ski and Snowboard Festival has come and gone and now is the time I catch up on some well earned sleep. Here are some of the things I witnessed this week.

Few friends and I (the shark on the left) got dressed up for a friends birthday on the first Saturday of the fest…

Giraffe spotting underneath Solar Coaster chair.

Took in an awesome concert by NAS

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Roller Derby made its debut in Whistler during the World Ski and Snowboard Festival, with the Whistler Black Diamond Betties facing off against the Squamish Sea to Sky Sirens in front of over 1000 spectators. By half time the Black Diamond Betties were down over 50 points to the Sea to Sky Sirens who had their talented assistant captain “Honey Badger” on an unstoppable tear. In the second period they made a slow- yet steady comeback and in the last jam they were down by a mere 10 points. Lead Jammer “Princess Slaya” of the Black Diamond Betties came through for her team scoring a massive 18 points for her team to take the win. Here are some photos of the event.

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The Olympus Pro Photographer Showdown remains one of the fan favorites at the World Ski and Snowboard Festival, with tickets always selling out in mere minutes.  This event returns with a stacked list of finalist including Bryan Ralph, Andy Wright, Darcy Bacha, Oskar Enander and Chris Burkard.

Selection wasn’t easy, but luckily the judging panel is loaded with industry heavyweight photographers like Paul Morrison and Bruce Rowles who have the daunting task of deciding the winner from a very talented field.

Photographer Bryan Ralph (affectionately known as “Ralphie” to friends and athletes) has been shooting for years, while working for Doppelmayr in the off season building ski lifts. He has worked with Red Bull Media House, Teton Gravity Research, Poor Boyz Production, Legs of Steel, Level 1, Matchstick Productions, and Sherpas Cinema.

He currently works for Freeride Entertainment based out of Nelson BC, but still finds time to shoot skiing on assignment with major companies like Red Bull, Under Armour, Armada, Degree, Smith, Oakley, Rossignol, Atomic, and many others. Read more

A huge crowd of spectators made their way into the village for last nights’ Association of Freeskiing Professionals big air event, a platinum level event on par with events like the Dew Tour and the X-Games. A who’s who of freeskiing’s elite paid homage to WSSF’s 70-foot kicker and in the end it was Canadian Vincent Gagnier who walked away with the prize money and a promise to uphold the 10% rule. Rounding out the podium was last year’s AFP World Tour overall champion Gus Kenworthy in second and Henrik Harlaut placed third. Missing the podium but never losing, there was also an astronaut in the mix of jumpers, because nothing beats an astronaut.

Check out some of the action from WIA photographers Michael Overbeck and Nadia Samer.

Photo: Nadia Samer

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Headed up the Duffy Lake Road this past weekend in search of some new zones to ski and soft snow. After a lengthy but fairly straightforward skin up we arrived at Keiths Hut which was built by friends of Keith Flavelle who passed away while climbing Mt Logan. Some more trips up into this area are definitely planned for the future as the skiing looks amazing.

Jeff inching his way across the Cayoosh Creek crossing near the trailhead.

The group skinning across one of the flats

Skinning up with Vantage Peak rising above

The skies opened up a bit and we could see the Anniversary Glacier

Keith’s Hut finally spotted!

We still had to cross this flat area to get to it…

And we made it after ~3 hours including a minor detour.

Although there hasn’t been much significant snowfall the past few weeks, the skies opened up mid week and we were blessed with some fresh snow. Erik Mauer and I decided conditions were prime for a walk out to Cowboy Ridge located outside the Whistler-Blackcomb ski area boundary.

The trek was quick going and the snow looked promising.

Onward and upward past Oboe…

Stunning vistas greeted us as we topped Cowboy Ridge.

Fresh lines down the ridge was our reward before our ski out down Singing Pass which is in great shape to anyone who was wondering.

Had the chance to check out the mens action at the FIL Luge World Championships this weekend… hope you did too With speeds over 140km/hr heading into the finish its amazing to experience in person…

Put together this slideshow of my highlights of 2012, hope you enjoy it and 2013 is an even better year. Had a challenging summer this year being off my feet for the majority of it. All shots taken in the Whistler area… Watch in full screen and 720p resolution for full effect!

My highlights of 2011 slideshow can be found here.

Keep up with my latest photos from 2013 here.