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Featured Photographer - Drew Stoecklein

J Dogg — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0500

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Posted March 31, 2006 by Holly Walker

Originally from Sun Valley, Idaho, this freeskier turned photographer turned actor is possibly one of the industry's most dynamic members. With Drew's busy schedule, it was difficult to pin him down for an interview at his own home in Salt Lake City, Utah. But we did it...

This past winter I lived at the mouth of Little Cotton Wood Canyon, at 'La Casa de la Shred Gnar,' a short drive from Snowbird and Alta. There were many many visitors (probably why the house is also referred to as 'The Hostel for Laggard Skiers') and several regulars, including freeskiers Billy Poole, Lindsey McIntyre, Brady Smedsrud, Cody Barnhill, Joey Smallwood, Rachel Burkes, Justin Modroo and none other than Drew Stoecklein.

Of my roommates, Drew Stoecklein was the scarcest; the first to leave in the morning and the last to come home at night. Between working, road tripping, killing it at freeskiing comps, shooting enormous road gaps, editing photos, keeping sponsors happy, acting for a Hollywood film and hanging out with the crew, Drew has had one busy winter. I finally got him to sit still for a couple minutes at 'La Casa de la Shred Gnar' to discover more about this young, dedicated and hardworking freeskier/photographer.

DREW STOECKLEIN INTERVIEW

Name: Drew Stoecklein

Sponsors: Alta Ski-Area, Columbia Sportswear, Platinum Performance-Energy bar, the Royal Shaft-Ski Poles, Smith Sport Optics, Spacecraft Hats, Swany-Gloves

Living: In SL,UT

Grew up skiing: Sun Valley Ski Team

Binoculars or magnifying glass? Magnifying Glass

Snowbird or Alta? Alta

Starlets or Cowgirls? Cowgirls

Q1: So Drew, you are both a big mountain ripper and aspiring photographer...do you spend more time in front or behind the lens?

A1: I have been trying to keep an equal balance between skiing and taking photos this year.

Q2. What influenced you in becoming a photographer?

A2: My dad influenced me to become a photographer 6 years ago when I shattered my tibia and fibula skiing.

Q3. Sounds like you've been making trips with buddies around Utah, Colorado and Idaho, what have you got up your sleeve?

A3: Well as it stands plan B would be to giv'er.

Q4. What's this "Levitation Project" thing you've been working on?

A4: The Levitation Project is a two year film project/movement (film, still pictures & a clothing company that includes freehealers, Snowboarders, and skiers). The movie comes out in fall of '07. On April 1st the three still photographers for the Levitation Project (Bob Plum, Will Wissman, and I) are having a slideshow at the Depo downtown Salt Lake City. We will be displaying our best shots that we have taken this year. At the end we are going to have a raffle and hand out a bunch of ski/snowboard gear.

Q5. Rumor has it you killed it and came 4th in Snowbird at the U.S. Freeskiing Championships, tell us what happened? How long have you been competing?

A5: At Snowbird this year I decided to ski a ripping line with airs that I knew that I could stomp in between my turns, it worked out pretty well for me. I started competing three years ago.

Q6. You're currently ranked 7th on the IFSA World Tour, are you planning to compete more this season? Kirkwood?

A6: Right now I can't make it to the last competitions because of 'Deep Winter' a Ski and Snowboard film that I'm working for. I'm working on it to make money to go to Alaska.

Q7. Stunt double! How did you land that gig?

A7: My friend Nico the Team manager of the Levitation Project got a phone call when we where on top of a peak in the Utah backcountry. I happened to meet the criteria to be a stunt double for the movie.

Q8. Name three differences between Hollywood stars and ski bums.

A8: Gaper Gaps, Girls, and Goggle Tans

Q9. Any other plans this season? You mentioned Alaska?

A9: I plan on going to Alaska for two weeks in April.

Q10: Any shout outs? Homies in the 801?

I would like to give a shout out to The Casa de la Shred Gnar and the LCCC (Little Cottonwood Canyon Crew).

Q11: Word.

Author Holly Walker is sponsored by Dynastar/Look/Lange, Icebreaker, Smith, Giro, Gordini, www.SouthAmericaSki.com. She enjoys working on her goggle tan on the Snowbird tram deck while dreaming of exotic destinations.

Featured Photographer - Jordan Manley

J Dogg — Wed, 19 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0400

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Posted Oct 19, 2005

Name: Jordan Manley

Place you call home: Deep Cove, North Vancouver, BC

Place you want to call home: A North Van - Whistler Partnership is ideal. Never want to leave.

Favourite Colour: I was on the green team in elementary school, but secretly I wanted to be with blue.

Favourite waffle topping: Don't dig the Belgium delight too much, but strawberries and whip cream.

Fish Tacos or taco'd wheels: Both sound like a bad ending to any adventure.

First Camera: My Dad's pentax spotmatic.

So Jordan, I've seen some pretty sweet images come out of your camera. Is this a hobby or your main gig?

Well, over the last couple years I've developed a fierce love and commitment of photography. This past year I quit my job, and have been mainly supporting myselff off of photography.

What is it that gets you so stoked on photography? We're guessing it's not for the mad chicks and huge cash-grabs, care to enlighten us?

Since a kid I've always enjoyed the arts: drawing, painting etc. But, in reality, photography developed out of the sports I participate in, namely, biking and skiing, and an outdoor lifestyle. At first a camera was just a documentation tool, to capture my friends riding bikes and skis. More and more though I've tried to merge art and photojournalism. I love being able to bring out what might be missed- sometimes the magic only lasts for a split second. I love having the power to shape an image through perspective, capturing something on film that might not be seen by someone watching.

Do you do any video work as well, or is that for chumps?

No it's cool. Actually, video used to be my main thing. I did a big epic video shoot yesterday in fact! But, I've never shot much skiing, it's always been mountain biking for some reason. I've shot a few segments for MTB films- 'Rise', 'Halfway to Nowhere', and an upcoming movie 'My Backyard'. I have aspirations of a life of cinematography mixed with photography. It's pretty hard to compare the two mediums, but there are things that I love about operating both still and motion picture cams.

We've been on ski trips with you, but you have plenty of cultural/travel/bike photos as well. What's your main passion? Don't worry, we won't laugh at you if you don't say skiing. Well, maybe.

Ski photography is my main passion. Two reasons: One, I have a love affair with skiing- two, ski images are very strong, and clean. I love the simplicity of the alpine snowscape. Within skiing, my passion is always shooting powder- theres nothing better than skiing deep blower, and theres nothing better than getting that moment on film. I'm never as stoked as when I know the skier has done their job, and I've done mine.

Any exciting photography plans coming up for the fall or winter?

This fall, I'll be shooting mountain biking on the shore on foggy days, and hopefully some epics in the chilcotins on the sunny ones. I'm going back to college after a year off so that will hinder photo-operations slightly in the fall. This winter I'll be calling Whistler home base. I'm sure I'll be back down to Utah and out to the kootenays again like last season. My brother Les, and I, are thinking about a trip to ski some ancient biblical terrain (hint hint), but that's still in the preliminary planning stages. Other than that, we'll see where the storms take me.

You're stuck choosing one of two professions for the rest of eternity, which do you choose?... Shooting Vegas weddings or shooting catalogue photos for Zellers. Remember, Zellers sells lingerie.

Zellers for sure. You know I hate big box stores, but I hate vegas even more!

Your brother is up 'n coming pro skier Les Manley. That must be a pretty good match for ski photography eh?

For sure. We make a good team- he knows what's going to look good, and has the ability to make it happen. We try to do as much as we can together, but we're in different places a lot of the time. He went to France this year so we missed out shooting together throughout the winter a lot. Next year we'll get some great stuff on film though.

We have to ask this. If you could sneak a spy camera into any venue/location/event in space and time, where and when would you choose? You're on your own, so watch out for big dinosaur teeth. They might like Canadian bacon.

Wow. What a question. There are so many moments in the evolutionary history of the planet that would be amazing to see, including the big dinosaurs. This might be cliche but THE BIG BANG would be it. It's what started it all. Would there be skiing without the Big Bang? Nope.

Any thanks?

My Dad, for teaching me how to take pictures and letting me use all his equipment for a long time. Both my parents, for their support. All my friends/athletes who put up with my constant requests of "Can you hike up there? It's gonna be a sick shot!!!" followed by, "Okay, one more, can you hike it again!"

Click Here to See More of Jordan's Work

Featured Photographer - Francois Marseille

J Dogg — Mon, 27 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0400

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Posted June 27, 2005

Name: Francois Marseille

From: Thetford Mines QC

Currently calling home: Miller's place its in the north yards of Squampton

Fondue or Photos: photos

Mars girls or french fries: French girls with gravy

First camera:
Canon FTB

So you seem to run with some the sea to sky's infamous french connection, what can you tell us about your gang?

Well I am fortunate to have friends who rip as good as any pro... but the thing is they do it for the love of the sport.. they don't care about the fame because for the most part they are just a bunch of old farts and are professionals in their own world.

Who's your favorite athlete to work with?

Mike Laidman he is the smoothest most talented skier I've ever met. Everything just look easy with him. Les Manley is also a good call as well as Miller and Dominik Balik.

How long have you called this part of the world home?

I moved to Nelson in 1997...then hitchhike to the sea to sky area one day and never went back.

We've heard rumors of incredible 3 course fondue feasts that you prepare... is cooking an equal passion to photography?

Well like Miller would say "I make honey out of shit" when I cook apparently... So to me photography is like a big recipe you have to mix up all the available ingredients and come up with something that wont make your guests piuke!

What's latest in trend in ski photography that readers should be getting ready for?

I don't spend much time reading ski magazines. To me its all about finding a different point of view... special camera mounts (pole,helmet or even boot mount) film manipulation such as cross processing is very interesting.

Front Country or Back Country?

Front country?...where the fuck is that?....let's go for a walk!

Did the crummy season in Whistler this year lead to any cool trips elsewhere? Or did you make do with what you found?

Well I was on a bender much of the winter but managed to make it up to Gari a few times... especially on new years eve. Skiing was awesome but the hike up at night was epic!!!

Now that summer is here, and global warming is kicking our butts, any tropical water plans?

This summer I'm working hard so next winter I can swim in warm waters no matter what! My next skiing destination will be Quebec... home sweet home.

Any thanks?

Dave Heath, the north yards mobile home association, The Code Blue, Le Jaune and my family, and Miller estie.

Mike Laidman going big in Rogers Pass

Gaper Day 2005

J Dogg — Mon, 20 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0400

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When shredding mega-gnar lines through rocky slots and stormy man-eating blizzards, make sure your one-piece suit is bright enough to light your path, bro.

Luckily everyone who came out for Gaper Day 2005 was ready for the extreme elements, and the annual day of rockgrinding and bush hopping went off without a hitch. We awoke to unexpected, menacing rain clouds on June 5, the last day of Whistler/Blackcomb's ski season. Naive mortals cowered in fear, while keen Gapers knew there'd be freshies up top followed by extra slick grass lines below.

So after eagerly digging through their treasure trunks for the most tech'ed out ski suits to fight the elements, a group of hooligans converged at the base of the Whistler Gondola to celebrate the last day of the season in style - Gaper style. The day to celebrate all that's stupid about skiing, and there's plenty of it. We've all seen them before.

Those skiers or boarders who are still convinced that jeans are good things to take skiing, or that doing backscratchers on a monoski will still get them laid. Well, that might be true, but work with us here. We're talking about the 2 inch gap between goggles and toques, tight flourescent one-piece suits, rear-entry boots, big straight skis, snowlerblades, leopard print bandanas, you name it.

With storm clouds brewing, this year's gaper outfits took on new themes. Flourescent SteepTech one-pieces were a must, while others showed up with the always functional cold-water survival jacket, furry sasquatch suit, garbage bag over unitard, you name it.

Slush was carved, daffy's and spreads were linked from bump to bump, rocks were grinded, and a few rocks even bit back (see video). To end the day, the few gapers still standing skied a few thousand feet of uninterrupted grass and gravel under the gondola.

The "I can't see 10 feet in front of me" conditions prevented anyone from steaking claim to the DoDo Bird Award this year, but you can bet everyone will be training hard next winter in hopes of taking rock skiing one step further in '06.

Click here to watch Paul Cotton's Gaper Day 2005 Video.

For more of Paul's videos visit www.paulcottonfilms.com

Europe Stop #3 - Engelberg, Switzerland

J Dogg — Tue, 31 May 2005 00:00:00 -0400

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What do proper catholic schoolgirls, 7-11, death, and Engelberg, Switzerland have in common? Well not much, but they all have something to do with heaven... if you include rhyming. Heaven has always sounded pretty awesome, so we at doglotion.com were keen to get a taste of it. Death didn't sound very fun, convenient stores are a dime a dozen, and there's already plenty of websites featuring catholic schoolgirls, uh, so we're told. So with Engelberg Titlis ski resort boasting the motto "It's Heaven", it was an obvious stop on our Europe Tour.

Directly translating to 'Angel Mountain', Engelberg started as a quiet monastery way back in 1120. Those monks sure know how to pick a good location, and had the valley to themselves for a good 700 years. Eventually the outside world caught on to their secret, and the tourist potential grew. Ski lifts were built there in the early 1900's, so the 'Mountain' part of Angel Mountain could finally be enjoyed. Rotating cable-car anyone?

Martin Jonassen trying his best to track out the resort in mid winter. Photo: Johan Hellman

Skip ahead a century, and Engelberg has just burst onto the freeskiing scene as a new big mountain mecca, and for good reason. With cliff walls of any size stretching in every direction, it's a meat-chucker's paradise. In addition to the steady crew of Swedes who migrate south to Engelberg each winter, the resort has become a new bombing range for film crews and pro-skiers from every corner of the globe. And for those who really like airtime, there's so many huge cliffs that Shane McConkey and friends can do ski base-jumping laps in the middle of the resort! Just one more reason to never follow tracks in Europe.

Kristijan Thorstensen probably smiling, if we could see his face. Photo: Johan Hellman

Daniel Furberg gettin' the goods before we arrive. Photo: Johan Hellman

Somebody in the monastery must have been very good this year, as local shredders were skiing deep fresh powder all season long. We on the other hand forgot to say our prayers, and rolled into town just after the wintery madness had ended. Meeting up with Swedish imports Christian Bjork and Daniel Furberg, we once again began a week of 'shoulda been here last week' tales that left us hungry for more. From lines like "last week you couldn't even see those park benches" to "Jamie Pierre jumped that big one, that huge one, and that even huger one", we knew it was a good year to have called Engelberg your home.

Skier: Sebastian Percival. Photo: Johan Hellman

But even in the wake of the big springtime melt, we still had some spring freshies in the forecast and some epic skiing ahead. It was still winter up at the 3000+ meter peak of Titlis, yielding 1200 meters of leg-burning fresh lines to mid mountain before the slush kicked in. And now that the resort wasn't littered with chest deep powder stashes, the Swedes finally took the chance to hike and explore Engelberg's more obscure terrain. Short traverses and knife edge walks led to some pretty sweet stashes, but the real gem was still to come: the Galtenberg couloir.

Jamie Bond above the Galtenberg, wondering why there's nothing between him and the village, 7000ft below.

Dropping in off the 10,623 ft summit of Titlis, the line bombs down a wide open powder field hanging above a massive cliff wall, before skirting the cliff and weaving into the Galtenberg couloir. From there you pinball your way down a few thousand more feet of ominous cliff walls before being spat out into a farmer's field, over 7000 feet below your start point. And if that ain't good enough, a walk to the nearest street found us sipping beers at a small restaurant before the next bus whipped us back to town, and 2-for-1 beers at the Yucatan Bar ensued once again.

Does it get any better than that? Well, apparently it was better all season long, but we weren't complaining. While the 4000 feet of unremitting pow runs on the 'Laub' would have been incredible this season, the 180ft cliff drops can wait untill we return next year. After all, death still doesn't sound very fun, no matter how many schoolgirls or Slurpees we might find in heaven.

Jamie Bond wishing he'd know about this cliff while he was above it.

This was 7000ft of blessed blower powder, shortly before us sinners arrived.

Mathieu Miller discvers the perks of spring skiing.

DETAILS

Engelberg Titlis ski resort is in central Switzerland, an easy train ride from Zurich, via Luzerne. If this season was anything like the years to come, you won't want to miss this spot.

For more info, visit their website at www.engelberg.ch. All the Swedes and anyone on a budget will stay at the Hotel Bellevue. It's located right across from the train station, and has cheap rates (for Switzerland) and includes breakfast.

For 2-for-1 apres, the Yucatan is on the main floor of the Hotel Bellevue, and the Eden Bar is the other hot spot across the street. Doglotion

Skiers: Jamie Bond, Andre Charland, Mathieu Miller, Les Manley

Photographers: Andre Charland, Johan Hellman. For more of Johan's photos, visit his site at www.johanhellman.com

Locals logged so much airtime this winter that Christian Bjork doesn't even care if there's a landing patch below the clouds. Photo: Johan Hellman

Featured Photographer - Court Leve

J Dogg — Sat, 07 May 2005 00:00:00 -0400

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Posted May 7, 2005 by Holly Walker

This past March, I headed down to California in search of powder and dreams. They were both found in the mountains around a big lake known as Tahoe. Stay tuned for the full trip story. But until then here is my interview with one of Tahoe's most talented photographers: Court Leve.

Court is a professional photographer who works for the newspaper Tahoe World. When he is not busy working, he is up in the mountains shooting pictures of friends skiing. It is in the hills of Tahoe that I got the chance to catch up with this casual character and ask him a few questions about himself.

INTERVIEW WITH COURT LEVE from Gravityhook Productions

1. So Court how did you become an action sports photographer?

These things sometimes just sort of happen. I was fortunate in the fact that people around me, friends and locals are all into action sports. You talk with friends about going out shooting the next pow day. When it happens it's rare but almost always worth it. Sooner or later you just meet someone higher up on the food chain.

2. Besides skiing, what other sports do you photograph? Cricket? Speed knitting?

I haven't shot much speed knitting but I bet it's tough to really capture the moment. Skiing/riding images are as much fun to get as they are to have. Outside of that I shoot rock climbers, water skiers and wakeboarders. Dogs hucking their meat. I haven't done much hiking images because hiking is slow and mountain biking would be fun but I like to ride more than shoot.

3. Do you have any role models, i.e. Jimmy Olson?

Roll models are for wusses.

4. I hear you work for the Tahoe World. What is it and what do you do for them?

The Tahoe World is Tahoe City's weekly newspaper. Its coverage area is more or less from Squaw Valley toState Line, NV. I have the best job in the outfit. I shoot photos, period.

5. Before making it big, you must have had some crappy ski bum jobs. What was the worst?

Working for a local newspaper. Kidding of course. Dominos Pizza, Jackson Hole Chamber of commerce ormaking t-shirts, take your pick. And for your information Jackson Hole, WY doesn't actually have a hole, elk don't turn into moose and that truly is snow on the top of those mountains, even in the summer.

6. So who is paying the bills for you these days??

I make most of my money by agreeing to these types of interviews. When that doesn't pan out I rely on my six figure income that rolls in from the newspaper. And when THAT doesn't work out I pimp out my photographic services and photos. If that doesn't work out it's back to driving a cab.

7. If you were to look into a crystal ball, how would you see yourself in five years?

37 years old.

8. On another note, tell us about your dog Owen. I hear he can huck bigger than you?

The rumors are true, he goes large. He's jumped off fifteen footers and he's also jumped at a dock jumping contest over 19 feet. The top dogs do like 26. I bet none of them go high though.

9. So I heard you had mono. That sucks! How old was she?

I don't know, never asked. By the way Holly, how old are you?

10. Where can people go to check out more of your pictures??

Folks can go to www.gravityhook.com or drop me a line at court@gravityhook.com

11. Any shout outs/special thanks?

To all that have helped me along the way-a sincere thank you from me to you.

Owen going big. The amazing powers of doglotion finally put to the test...

Huere Darquier Interview

J Dogg — Tue, 22 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0500

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Posted Feb 22, 2005

Interview by Holly Walker

Currently calling Whistler home, Huere Darquier of Argentina is out to take the Freeskiing World Tour by storm this year... starting with 2nd place at the 2005 Subaru US Freeskiing Nationals in Utah earlier this month.

Name: Huere Darquier

Birthday: 21/10/1981

Hometown: Bariloche

Currently Residing: Whistler

Sponsors: Helly Hansen, Rossignol, Smith Sport Optics, Garibaldi Lift Co.

Marital Status: Taken, sorry guys!

Lomo completo o completo Loco?: Both

Number of family members: 7

So Huere, rumour has it that you are Argentina's female Freeskiing Champion? Do tell...

We used to have comps till before the economy crashed in 2001. Before that, there wasn't a formal circuit but there was an active interest in freeskiing. I managed to win the title 3 times.

How does Argentina's best end up a twinky in Whistler?

I've been teaching for a long time and it has allowed me to travel all over the world. That's how I get my Canadian visa and it pays the bills.

You killed it in your first World Tour comp in Whistler last season. How did things go for you at the U.S. Freeskiing Nationals in Snowbird last week?

I wouldn't say I killed last year but I managed to end up 5th and prequalified for the 2005 World Tour. This year at Snowbird I managed to end up 2nd.

Any plans in the future? More podium appearances? Sick video segments?

I'll be going to Les Arcs, France for the second stop on the World Tour. I'll be in Kirkwood in a month and a half for the third and last stop. And yeah, I guess I'll be looking for the podium. Along the way I will try to do as much shooting and filming as I can. Last year Heather Roberts did an awesome 'Girls Movie', I would love to be in her second one.

Do toilettes really flush backwards in the Southern Hemisphere?

No guys, your toilettes are flushing backwards! By the way, what's the deal with the public toilettes here? They don't wrap all the way around!!

What do you miss more about Argentina, the men or the beef? Is there a difference?

No there's not. But there is a difference between men and cows. Cows have a smarter look in their eyes.

Has it been hard to support your skiing habits? Are sponsors knocking on your door?

I have to work really hard to make this happen... 3 Argentine pesos are only 1 American dollar. So I pay three times more for my activities. Working here helps, but I'm not working while I compete. I've been lucky enough to get gear from Rossignol and Helly Hansen. I would have been on my own to pay for my travel expenses but Mike Varril and his staff at the GLC in Whistler are helping me plan a fundraiser party in March. I know this is the year to prove myself, next year might be different.

Supposedly you were held at U.S. Immigration for over an hour on your way to Utah. Is that why there aren't more Argentinians on the scene? Evil government ski conspiracy?

Don't suppose anymore, me and my nice but unlucky friends were held at the U.S. Immigration over an hour on our way to Utah...I think it is funny that they actually think I want to move to the United States! South Americans are lazy people, they are probably drinking wine, barbequing and watching soccer... they are not really a threat.

In recent years Las Lenas and Bariloche have been full of gringos...One big party or line poachers?

LINE POACHERS, DAMN IT!

Final question: Any shout outs or special thanks? Oh, and the boys wanted me to ask how many of your family members are sisters?

Thanks to Rossignol, Helly Hansen and the GLC for having faith in me. GRACIAS Waco, Delf, Diego, Lula, Ma y Pa. To my boyfriend Joe Lammers... Thank you Thank you Thank you! And I have two sisters, one is married but Lula isn't! Good luck boys!

About the Interviewer: Holly Walker is a freeskier who enjoys writing, travelling, helping friends with projects and the occassional game of ping pong. She is sponsored by Smith, Giro, Gordini Gloves and Dynastar/Lange/Look.

Featured Photographer - Jon Faulknor

J Dogg — Wed, 26 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0500

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Posted Jan 26, 2005

Name: Jon Faulknor

From: Onterrible...I mean Ontario..

Currently calling home: A hide out in Nordic. Whistler B.C.

Spoon or fork: Spork..

Mars bars or bar stars: Mars bars on the bar stars...

First camera: Pentax K1000.

So Jon, you've got a hefty stack of awesome nature shots here, is that your main photography gig?

Well it started out to be , but now being in whistler it has started to slow down with the Nature and leaning more towards the Skiing action shots.

Does photography bring home the bacon, or what else do you do to support the habit?

I wish Photography was my main cash Pig.. Right now supporting the habit is teaching ski school..It used to be cooking but I'd rather be outdoors.

Rumour has it you double as a gourmet chef, does that mean Kraft Dinner with special sauce, or are you pretty into it?

Well I can cook a pretty mean gourmet meal when needed...Kraft Dinner is not on my list of gourmet meals, Although I have had a friend cook it many different ways for me....For the nutritional side add broccoli and mix..YUMMY. Oh yeah Ketchup is always a must..

You said you had some plans to travel the globe a bit this year, but ended up back in Whistler for some pow hunting? Where were you headed? And now that the only white powder in Whistler is in the bakery, might you head out again?

Well I was in Scotland for October and a part of November. I was going to go for a year but decided to come back and ski the pow that we are lacking...I will head back there some day again. But for now I will be here in Whistler for a while..I may head to Vancouver for the summer depending on the job situation or even look towards a cruise ship job.

Have you ever been in trouble for bringing a camera somewhere?

No...But I must say I have sneaked it into event's that require a media pass..No security can keep me and my camera out. I would tell you what event's I get into but then there would be posters plastered all over with my face on it.

Tell us about these cool glacier shots. Looks like the product of Whistler's so-called 'special' season this year. Hot summer and dry winter providing a unique opportunity to explore the mountains, um, under belly...

Yeah...that was a great day.. We went up one day and got some shot's of the guy's hucking off the roof and landing almost inside the lip of the cave. Then we had this awesome idea of building an in-run through the cave and build a step up jump...It took 3 days of building it and keeping it a secret so no one else would get the shot we wanted. It's one of those opportunity's that probably will never happen again as this was the first time I had ever seen the Ice caves, due to lack of snow. After the shoot we destroyed the jump so no one else would have the shot.

Any thanks?

I would like to thank all the athletes who come out and shoot with me (and are shown above)... Tyler, Alex, Marty, Chad and Bobby. Also my parent's for having me.... See you all on the slopes

Featured Photographer - Tim O'Kane

J Dogg — Sat, 11 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0500

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Posted Dec 11, 2004

Name: Tim O'Kane

From: Tiverton, Ontario

Current Home: Whistler; in a small pile of dirt I call my own.

Favorite Cheese: I don't like cheese. Cheese is a conspiracy created by the Portuguese government. (note from interviewer: everyone likes cheese, don't trust those who don't eat it.)

Facial Hair: none, I'm unable to grow it as of yet.

Dream Camera Setup: nothing digital, and fully clothed respectable ladies to hold my slaves.

Tim, most photographers are a little bit eccentric, weird, and bitter at the world, yet you seem quite normal. How is this possible and do you think you'll eventually mold into the above mentioned image?

I like to swim upstream, this is my charter. To go against the grain, that is much harder.

You're a very diverse photographer shooting a wide range of action sports along with nature and portrait shots. Are you planning to zero in on one genre or keep the diversity alive?

I would rather not limit myself to one subject. Diversity is the basil of life.

So you don't dream about shooting food menus for a living?

Negatory.

A couple of years ago you only shot snowboarding, but I see skiers now appearing in front of your lens. How did you end up shooting skiing?

I was abducted one day by a couple of professional skiers who forced me at gunpoint to use my precious film for their own personal glorification.

Weren't these guys jumping off some stupid buildings in the rain onto a little pile of snow, and if this is the case what in the world made you want to point a camera at these characters?

Well it was actually a roof over a mailbox complex, and it was a twelve gauge shotgun that was pointed at my head.

Well it's a good thing that you met these guys because now the ski world has a great photographer coming their way?

I try to do my part for the underprivileged and bring a ray of hope to this bleak world. Spread the sunshine that is my life.

So tell me a funny story from the mountain last year?

I fractured my right clavicle twice. Both times while sliding a rail.

Well I guess that shows why you're a photographer and not a pro snowboarder. Now tell me a funny story involving a burrito, a sunflower, and a 40oz bottle.

Well I could tell you but after I would have to kill you and hide you in a burrito.

How many millions of girls do you score because you're a photographer?

I try to keep that area of my life secret.

Tim, no one will ever know if you tell me your secrets, the Internet is rarely used nowadays.

Well then, eventually I would like to break into the extravagant world of paparazzi photography because that is where all the hotties are.

Do you like to pressure athletes into sketchy situations for a photo or do you just laugh under your breath when they back out like little babies?

I like to put pressure onto the athletes so in my own little way I can push the limits of the sporting world.

So basically you live vicariously through others?

Sh*t I guess your right I was wondering if having a messy room helps with artistic inspiration?

Or is there some other reason there's so much junk on your floor?

Well I believe you can make a picture out of anything and draw your inspiration from anywhere.

Snow's pretty cold, eh?

Not if you warm it up.

Any Thanks?

Shaun-o & Dave at FSI for hooking me up with film and beer. My family for kicking ass, anyone who puts themselves in front of my lens, my friends f*%king rule, Jamie & Blair at Doglotion.com, and anyone that's not on this list, there's a reason for that.

X-Ray Contest

J Dogg — Tue, 16 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0500

Rating

Posted Nov 2004

To kick the season off in a quirky way, we decided to hold the first ever X-Ray contest. It may seem like a weird way to get stoked for the season, but who knows, maybe it'll get you stoked because you're glad these X-ray's aren't yours. Or maybe it'll force you to stomp those early-season landings so that you won't end-up with an x-ray of your own.

Apparently not everyone has a light table and a digi camera at their disposal, but the few entries that we did receive are pretty sweet. So rather than an X-Ray contest it's more of an X-Ray art exhibition. Enjoy...

'I Love Hospital Jello' by Chris Mansbridge

We were on the Annual Comor shoot and myself and Moss Patterson were eyeing up this cliff with a nice big flat landing. I like flat landings because its very rare you come cartwheeling out of them. Moss hit it first and made a good sized hole in the 80 cms of snot on the landing. I could barely hear him yelling, "Whatever you do, don't try to stomp it." I was like, "What? Try to stomp it? Okay."

I was being rushed to the hospital trying not to pass out just thinking, "Man the whole left side of my face hurts, and so does my knee. I wonder what happend?"

When I got to the hospital I saw Doglotion.com's main man Jamie Bond there with a broken humorus. Jamie was so excited,"Chris, you came to visit me. Man, you don't look so good."

After this X-ray and a CT scan in Vancouver, they told me that I had fractured my jaw, cheekbone, and pushed in my left sinus and orbital (eye socket). I would need to get my jaw wired shut and three titanium plates put in my face. I said I would be fine without them. They told me I was an idiot.

And the moral of the story is: You don't have to go to math class to find the value of X.

-Chris Mansbridge

'Not So Humerus' by Jamie Bond

April 9th, 2003 was a busy day in the Whistler Medical Clinic. It was the first powder (actually chowder) day in about 6 weeks at Whistler, and everyone had a little too much energy pent up inside. Early in the day before anything good opened, I was doing routine laps of the cliffs on Jersey Cream Wall on Blackcomb like I'd done since I knew what skis were. On my third lap I decided rather than going 'big to flat' I'd do a double drop on the far right wall, but rather than stomping it... something possessed me to be totally lame and kick back on landing... slamming my humerus bone against a covered rock. The freakiest part was when I started wiggling my fingers then turned around to look at my hand... and it wasn't there. It was about 1 foot away from wear I thought it was, because my nerve was damaged. Mmmmm, fun.

-Jamie Bond

'Slinky Pinky' by Kevin Gibbs Spring 2004.

Kevin didn't do this skiing, but to his credit, it was the first activity he did after the ski season... and thanks to a bad setting job... the last activity he did until this coming ski season. This one isn't as substantial as the other x-rays, but you have to admit -- it's pretty creapy eh? .

'Screw This' by Brice

Here we have a shin & fibula break with 12 inch pins and a nice screw... The problem with ice cascades is that underneath, you still find ice under a thin snow layer. Too thin probably! Happened in March 2002 in Arc 2000, French Alps.

-Brice

'My Leg Hurts... alot' by Sloppy Joe

Sloppy Joe may not be his real name, but this x-ray is his real game. What bone is that you might ask... the femur. Yep, that big bone in your leg, wouldn't that be fun to break? Needless to say, Sloppy's leg is now decorated with several titanium rods and screws, and he'd probably beep in metal detectors. But his leg is recovering really quickly, and he'll be skiing better than you again soon. .

How do you choose a winner with an exhibition like that?

1st Place: Sloppy Joe clearly ruled it, and his x-ray ruined our breakfast. Sloppy wins a Doglotion.com T-shirt of his choice and maybe we'll get him a Swedish Masseuse until he has recovered.

2nd Place: Brice walking around with 12 inch pins and screws is a disturbing thought. Brice wins a pair of Ryders sunglasses and world fame.

3rd Place: Chris Mansbridge's face x-ray rules, mostly because the skull looks so cool. Mansbridge doesn't get a prize, because if we reward him he might do it again. Well, maybe he'll get a t-shirt too.

Better Than Chocolate? Bariloche

J Dogg — Tue, 09 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0500

Rating

After a few nights in the remote town of Caviahue, it was time to switch the pace for a while, so our arrival in San Carlos de Bariloche was a pleasant change. Home to the ski resort Catedral Alta Patagonia, Bariloche also has 100,000 busy residents working away in this lake front town full of chocolate factories, tourist shops, and restaurants. It's easily the most popular ski destination among Argentine and Brazilian skiers, so we thought we'd take a little taste test to find out why. After a long-winded string of email and hostel messages, I finally met up with fellow canuck Andre Charland who was fresh off the 3-day plane & bus journey from Vancouver, and our Argentina 2004 road trip had begun.

Surrounded by thousands of teenagers exploring the streets and mountains for spring break, it was easy to see why the tourists come here. Big town, hotels, beautiful surrounding lakes, restaurants and shops everywhere you look, great base facility and lifts on the ski resort, snowmaking, scenic tram ride and more. But that's not what we came looking for. Although Catedral suffered the same fate of other ski South American ski resorts this year (not much snow) we knew there'd be some stashes left for us if we explored the resort.

Day 1 was bluebird and warm, and before we'd unloaded the first lift we knew where to head. Right above the highest chair is a short hike to some steeper chutes that yielded some wicked wind-buff carving laps. Quick laps and funky terrain would've been sweet on a powder day.

After some burns on that it was time to check out the 'Laguna' area that everyone had recommended... good call. A quick 10 minute traverse/hike and you wrap around a ridge out of site of the ski resort, where an amphitheater of S-turn chutes and cliff-drops funnel into a snowed over lake. Its pretty much a little yoyo utopia... short laps on steep, fun terrain hits, always feeding back to the same spot. The snow wasn't exactly 'all that and a bag of chips', but it was untracked and would definitely hog the most light fluffy snow after a good dump.

After more steak and chocolate than we needed (mmmmmmm), day 2 rolled around we headed up back to the resort for more fast runs on the resort and some turns in the Laguna. But what really caught our attention was the backdrop to die for. Right behind the resort is a heinous ridge system full of steep chutes that are all easily accessed from the Frey Refugio, a well-equipped hut at the base of the ridge. And if that weren't enough, the oh-so-tempting Volcan Tronador looms behind the resort with it's crevassed 3470 meter peak luring anyone with an ounce of mountaineering interest.

With the weather turning and more resorts on our hit list, we picked up and headed south, all the while knowing the Tronador and Frey hut terrain would be haunting us for a long time to come. Next year?

DETAILS

Catedral's season is from June to September/October, and is one of the few resorts down in Argenitna with good tree skiing on a good snow year. It boasts by far the best infrastructure at the resort and town if you're looking for a place with amenities and services, so it is a good spot for family trips or groups stoked on the hustle bustle of a bigger town.

For more information on Catedral Alta Patagonia, visit their website at http://www.catedralaltapatagonia.com/

Author and 2004 Darwin Award Winner

Featured Photographer - Bruce Rowles

J Dogg — Thu, 21 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0400

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Posted Oct 21, 2005

All photos by Bruce Rowles

Name: Bruce Rowles

Hometown: Whistler BC

Favourite cartoon character: The Silver Surfer

Breakfast of champions or devour champions for breakfast: Don't usually eat breakfast.

First camera: Canon TLB I think.

So Bruce, we bumped into you at the World Premiere of Jib Culture's first film - "Disturbing the Piste". I guess you worked on the film with videographer Paul Cotton, what was your role?

Shooting stills and artistic direction.

And we've seen you and Paul 'Goldilocks' Cotton partner up before, for that killer slide media presentation - "Images From a Disturbed Mind". That was a pretty unique show, can you give us the lowdown?

I won the first Pro Photographer Search at the WSSF, and since then, I had wanted to do a show that moved, and was going to hold a viewer's eyes to the screen from beginning to end. The improvements to computer software have opened up so many possibilities, that I could take what I had in my mind, and build it in the computer. All I was missing was the computer expertise to put it together properly, and that's where Paul came in. Paul is very good on the computer, he was easy to work with, and we put in long days to get it done. I was very happy with it, but if I did it all over today, it would be much better. The next one we do will blow people away.

With all these multi media projects on the go, is this your new gig or is classic still photography your main passion?

It's all connected for me. It's all art, and it's constantly evolving.

Any exciting projects on the go right now? If you told us would you have to kill us?

There's always something on the go, but I'd rather wait until I know it's going to work before talking about it.

I've seen loads of awesome ski pics of yours (cause I'm a skier and mindlessly only look at ski photos) but do you dabble in lots of other photography or is skiing your mainstay?

I take pictures of anything I find interesting. A lot of my favorite shots are of bugs, lifestyle, people, etc., but no one gets to see many of those, as I'm not in the right market to sell those sort of shots. Once my website is finished and is up and running, I will be able to show people some of my other photos, plus the computer art I've been doing. It's www.brucerowles.com, coming soon.

If you found a digital camera in the gondola and weren't able to return it to lost-and-found until the end of the day, what would you do with it in the meantime?

That would depend on the mood I was in. I'd probably review the memory card, and see if the owner had a sense of humour, and take it from there.

And the question I just can't get enough of... If you could smuggle a camera into any event/ location/ scenario on the planet, where or what would it be?

I can think of a few places, but none of them that I'm very likely to get out alive after.

Any thanks...

My family, my friends, the companies, magazines and individuals that purchase my images, and this fragile blue marble we live on.

For more of Bruce's photos and photo art, visit his brand spankin' new website that's COMING SOON-- It should be out later in October. www.brucerowles.com

Skier/FilmMaker Interview - Heather Roberts

J Dogg — Wed, 13 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0400

Rating

Posted Oct 13, 2004

Kicking off our new section is skier/film maker Heather Roberts from Whistler, BC. Odds are that she still skis better than you, but that's not the only reason we're interviewing her. Check out Heather's interview and keep an eye out for more ski personality profiles this coming fall and winter...

Name: Heather Roberts

Age: 28

Grew up skiing: Snow Valley, Barrie, Ont.

Currently reside: Whistler

Blackcomb or Whistler: Depends on the day

Sponsors: Volkl, Scott, Comor

On the mic: horror movie music

Rednecks or City slickers: Rednecks oh rednecks, how hot you are.

BMX or Xterra: BMX, oldschool Redline, so much fun to ride around on.

Q: I hear you used to be a big-time snowboarder from Ontario? How did you become a Whistler ripper chick?

A: It's true, I had an affair. I don't know about those words "big time" but I was sponsored for snowboarding way before I even knew what freeskiing was. It definitely helped that I lived at the bottom of my hill and at the time we had the best half pipe in the area. I skied back then too, but all my podium time was for snowboarding halfpipe. When I got to Whistler I spent my first day on the hill wearing a snowboard. I couldn't help but notice the skiers we were with were killing it in the alpine which seemed like way more fun than riding a halfpipe all day. The next day I wore my skis and I haven't worn a snowboard since. Every season I say I should go snowboarding, every season it doesn't happen.

Q: There was a premiere at the Boot for 'Filthy Lines' ski film this last spring. You were the only girl with a segment but nowhere to be found that night. Anti-the-Boot or too-cool-for-school?

A: Neither. Well, too cool for school sometimes but not that night. I thought I had somewhere more important to be that night. In retrospect, the Boot was the place to be. I'm sorry I missed it.

Q: Supposedly you've been taking a lot of trips down to Vancouver this last year... illicit city affair?

A: I'm working on it.

Q: Rumor has it you have been busy of late with your digi-cam, anything we should be looking forward to soon?

A: The Girls Movie. A movie made by chicks about chicks havin' a good time. Don't miss the movie premier at Moe Joes November 25. Also, I'm finishing up a horror movie for the Heavy Hitting B-Grade Horror Fest that shows Oct 30. You can get your tickets at the MY Place building starting Oct 16, they sell out really fast so don't be lazy.

Q: So Ms. Roberts, any reason why there might be two mountains named after you, one in Alaska and one in Wyoming?

A: I'm just trying to get my name out there.

Q: Any trips or special projects lined up for next season?

A: Making another ski movie.

Q: No one has seen you at ski comps in years... what's the beef?

A: Bottom line.... Why pay money to ski crappy conditions? And even if you're on the podium a lot the prize money for girls doesn't really pay for your trip.

Q: Heather, you're a veteran on the Whistler ski scene -- any insight into the oddities of the male population?

A: Obviously you have no idea what you're talking about. The ski scene boys are the hottest and coolest guys out there. Haven't they told you?

Q: Any advice to up-and-coming female rippers trying to get into the industry?

A: The most successful skier on the hill is the one having the most fun.

Q: Day dreaming about skiing: where would you be and with who?

A: Bella Coola. 100 of my closest ski friends. A helicopter with endless gas. Plenty of good food, beer and wine. And nowhere to be any time soon.

Q: Any shout outs/thanks?

A: Boompa Productions. Awesome tunes. Check out their website (www.boompa.ca).