Deep Winter Photo Challenge

Words by Whistler Blackcomb
Photos by Nadia Samer

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 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 www.whistlerblackcomb.com/lodging and save up to 50 per cent. For a full listing of Whistler Blackcomb events and competitions visit www.whistlerblackcomb/events.