Skiing and Photography

In the spring of 2007, I started skiing with a camera. The next summer, I realized how enjoyable it is to look back at photos from the winter, and since 2008, I’ve carried a camera whenever I’m out on snow.

skiing with a camera

I’ve always considered myself a skier, with a camera, as opposed to a photographer on skis. My primary goal has always been skiing, with photography serving to enhance the experience and memories.

But this year there’s been a shift in my thinking. Especially when I’m skiing alone. I’m starting to see skiing and photography as an integrated activity seeking out images — sometimes to the point of interrupting a great string of turns to pull up and capture the moment. A few times, like in the photo above, I’ve relinquished first tracks to capture a shot. It’s not unusual for me to take 150 pictures in a day.

The Mountains Less Traveled: Teton Powder Keg

You may remember the trip reports that James posted in the forum about his vacation in Wyoming last month. In his new “Mountains Less Traveled” feature, he writes about how his first cat-skiing experience — seven hours of untracked powder — had a big impact on him.

Grand Teton Cat Skiing

Just looking at his pictures had a big impact on me, but he also brings up some interesting points about our habit of putting off things that we’ve always wanted to do.

In this issue of NY Ski Magazine:
Tapping the Teton Powder Keg

Gore Mountain, NY: 1/8/11

It’s no secret that Gore’s had a tough year for natural snowfall. But yesterday, a clipper dropped down from Canada, and took its sweet time moving through New York State.

Topridge at Gore Mountain

On Friday, it dropped at least a half foot of snow across most ski areas in the state. And overnight, a “Norlun Trough” set up to drop another half of foot or more over the southeastern Adirondacks. It was bit of a coming out party for the Gore Mountain and the town of North Creek.