Deep Winter Photo Challenge

2012 Contest Wrap-Up

Robin O'Neill Named The First 'Queen Of Storms' At The 6th Annual Arc'teryx Deep Winter Photo Challenge, Presented By GORE-TEX®

Voting for the People's Choice Award is Open Until January 31st. To Vote Click Here

WHISTLER, BC, January 17, 2011

Whistler local and professional photographer Robin O'Neill added the "Queen of Storms" title her list of achievements this weekend, after winning the sixth annual ARC'TERYX Deep Winter Photo Challenge presented by GORE-TEX®. Robin O'Neill is the first female to take this honor. Second place went to Jussi Grznar and third place, as well as, the "Best in Show" photograph went to Reuben Krabbe.

New to the competition this year was "The People's Choice Award." Each photographer submitted three photographs and the public has the chance to vote online for their favorite photographer. Voting will be open until midnight January 31st at www.whistlerblackcomb/deepwinter. Social Media played an ever-growing role in the competition with many of the Deep Winter athletes and photographers tweeting live throughout the competition. To find unique behind-the-scenes video and photos, and other interesting commentary, search #deepwinter on Twitter.

"It was wonderful to be part of the event this year and it proved to be an even bigger challenge than I imagined," says Reuben Krabbe. "Overall it was a great success and everyone on my team was incredibly happy with our final slideshow".

Robin O'Neill took home the $5,000 grand prize and will have her name added to the King/Queen of Storms trophy, while Jussi Grznar took home $2,500 for second and Reuben Krabbe took home $1,000 for third place and another $500 for Best in Show. The six photographers had three days to shoot in-bounds at Whistler Blackcomb with their athlete teams. In addition to the photographers named above Mark Gribbon, Steve Lloyd and Mason Mashon joined the quest for 'King/Queen of Storms'.

The final slideshows were played in front of a sold-out audience of 1,100 spectators and five judges at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. The judging panel included: Senior Photographer for Skier Magazine, Dan Carr; Kootenay Mountain Culture Photographer, Peter Robinson; veteran photographer, Eric Berger; freelance photographer, Bonny Mackarewicz; and honorary judge and first ever King of Storms, Paul Morrison.

Robin O'Neill's slideshow featured photographs of top professional skiers and influential long time Whistler residents who have dedicated their lives to living and breathing the mountain lifestyle. Her team consisted of skiing's top professionals Eric Hjorleifson and James Heim as well as Whistler residents Karl Ricker and Peter Morin.

The ARC'TERYX Deep Winter Photo Challenge Presented by GORE-TEX® has come to end but Whistler Blackcomb hosts a number of events throughout the entire season. With the 72 hour sale on now through January 19th, there is no better time to book a Whistler Blackcomb vacation. Book lodging by midnight on Thursday January 19th at http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/lodging and save up to 50 per cent. For a full listing of Whistler Blackcomb events and competitions visit http://www.whistlerblackcomb/events.

Deep Winter Photo Challenge Winning Slideshow

The winner of the 2012 Deep Winter photo competition, in which Robin O'Neill documents the young and old of Whistler's best. Shot and edited in 3 consecutive days in bounds at Whistler Blackcomb ski resort. Making the most of tougher conditions -- blue skies and no fresh snowfall during shooting.

2011 Contest Wrap-Up

Blake Jorgenson Named 'King Of Storms' At Deep Winter Photo Challenge

Robin O'Neill takes 2nd, Andrew Strain 3rd and Ilja Herb wins Best in Show

WHISTLER, BC, January 17, 2011

Iconic Whistler photographer Blake Jorgenson took home the King of Storms title at the fifth annual Deep Winter Photo Challenge, presented by ARC'TERYX and Whistler Blackcomb. Second place went to the event's first-ever female competitor, Robin O'Neill, and third went to up-and-coming photographer Andrew Strain. Ten-year photography veteran, Ilja Herb's epic ski photo was voted Best in Show by the panel of judges.

"I don't think winning is as exciting as executing an idea and bringing it to life in front of the audience. For me that's the thrill." says Jorgenson. "As a photographer, I never choose the photos that get printed. It's always somebody else's choice. To come up with a concept and bring it to life exactly the way I want, in front of a home crowd, is the best thing ever."

Jorgenson took home the $3,000 grand prize and will have his name added to the King of Storms trophy, a new addition to the event that was designed by Keith Berens at Live Metal Promo. All previous Deep Winter winners will be added to the trophy to commemorate their achievements.

The six photographers had three days to shoot in bounds at Whistler Blackcomb with their athlete teams. In addition to the photographers named above and powerhouse of athletes, Snowboard Canada Photo Editor John Scarth and accomplished snowboard photographer, Tim Zimmerman joined the quest for 'King/Queen of Storms' title and a total prize purse of $6,000.

As always, the competition fostered a friendly rivalry, which spurred photographer and athlete teams to designate themselves with off-beat team names such as: Team Storm Wizard, Team Steam Train, and Team Scarth.

Social Media played an ever-growing role in the competition with many of the Deep Winter athletes and photographers tweeting live throughout the competition. To find unique behind-the-scenes video and photos, and other interesting commentary, search #deepwinter on Twitter.

The final slideshows were played in front of a sold-out audience of 1200 spectators at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. The judging panel included: three-time Deep Winter and one-time SAINT Deep Summer Photo Challenge winner Jordan Manley; Ski Journal editor, Mike Berard; SKIER Magazine editor, Leslie Anthony; veteran photographer, Eric Berger; freelance photographer, Bonny Mackarewicz; and honorary judge and first ever King of Storms, Paul Morrison.

Jorgenson's slideshow featured dramatic and moody photography with big mountain athletes Kye Peterson and Dan Treadway, while O'Neill brought a woman's touch to the competition; highlighting powerful female locals, including Whistler Blackcomb ski patroller, Darlene Douglas, who was featured throwing an avalanche bomb in one slide and kissing her child good night in the next. Strain's approach was more grassroots; using light, color and comical portraits, such as an athlete wearing a beard of lichen.

The Deep Winter Photo Challenge, presented by ARC'TERYX was the signature event of GORE-TEX Deep Winter Experience, running January 8 - 16, featuring Roxy Snow Camps, Extremely Canadian ski clinics and discounts on GORE-TEX outerwear.

The Deep Winter Photo Challenge is presented by Arc'teryx, GORE-TEX®, and Whistler Blackcomb. Additional sponsors included Kokanee, Skyy Vodka, the Whistler Question, Atomic, Nature Valley and Mountain FM.

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