For the last three years, I (with the help of Ski Salt Lake and the Cottonwood Canyons resorts) have hosted a ski-based photography competition called the Ski Salt Lake Shootout. It’s a frenetic mess of photographers, athletes, loads of equipment, inevitable cell phone exhaustion and always, exceptional photography. I know by now that, for five days, I am encased in a veritable bubble of shutter clicking, bro-brah-ing, thumbs-upping, and little, if any…sleep.
Andy Jacobsen, making sure gravity isn't taking time off the clock at Alta Ski Area during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.
In the end, however, the visual and emotional rewards are extremely gratifying. It’s humbling to see what the photographers and athletes are able to produce within such a short window of time. It’s always great to see how other photographers see, and to talk shop with others in the biz. This year we were blessed with a mix of weather conditions and what seemed like consistently good (and at times exceptional) snow. The talent pool of athletes here across the Wasatch Front is staggering, and it’s always cool to see how many top level athletes call SLC home.
Photographer Mike Schirf lines things up at Snowbird during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.
While I spend the majority of my time documenting the event for awards slideshows and the like, I do search for differing angles from which I can shoot some of my own imagery during the week. Check out the images in this post for a peek at the action, and I’ll be sure to post a link to the Shootout site as soon as we have the winning images uploaded.
Carston Oliver enjoys a break in the action at Snowbird during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.
Julian Carr, making the best of late light and fresh pow at Alta Ski Area during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.
Norwegian photographer Erlend Haugen captures Cody Barnhill at Snowbird during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.
Carston Oliver, just before the hurt at Snowbird during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.
Julian Carr checks his takeoff at Alta Ski Area during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.
Andy Jacobsen sends it at Alta Ski Area during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.
Jared Allen takes a break from/for the camera at Brighton Resort during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.
