The Format

The six photographers selected to take part in the event in-turn hand picked 3 athletes, skiers or snowboarders to shoot over three days of free reign on the endless and varied terrain at Island Lake Lodge. The groups were guided by the best (and gnarliest ) guide staff from the lodge.
The photographers submitted each days best which were judged by local re-known photograher Henry Georgi, Jennifer Hamilton, managing editor of Avenue Magazine and Keith Liggett, freelance journalist & local ski bum. Slideshows were then presented to eager crowds at two of Fernie's finer watering holes. The Brickhouse hosted the apres shootout party on day 1, while the Central played host to the second and third night's festivities.
Awards from K2 skis, The North Face clothing and equipment, 
Spy Eyewear and Smith Optics were handed out daily in three catergories. A grand prize for best portfolio was handed out on the last night of the event by VEER Photo Stock Agency.






Stu Varley gets into one. Chris Messervey






Takin' care of the pine beetles, one slash at a time! Graeme Tabor by Todd Weselake

The Photographers and their teams

Dave Silver, who shot with fellow lodge staff; dishpit technician Thommy Westcott, Sous-chef Mark Butcher, and Cat driver Mac Williams.

Todd Weselake, who employed the big mountain skills of the third and fourth place finishers at the recent World Freeskiing Championships in Alaska, Aaron Schmidt and Luke Nelson. Weselake rounded out his team with the beard and balls of one Graeme Tabor.

Chris Messervey brought down a team of riders from Banff, including Murray Hodgson, Darcy Keller , Stu Varley

Rob Plato used local veterans for the job. He had Derek Bird, Jason the Mason and The elder Nelson brother, Ryland hucking meat for him.

Ben Van Der Valk Went with another team comprised of only snowboarders,
putting to work Adam Laurin and Mikey Witlox from Commit Snow and Skate and rounding out his team with Ty Kuhn.

Aaron Whitfield had the services of Mike Wilson, Derek Root and Dan Marriot who would suffer a severe knee injury on the second day forcing him out of the event and onto a hospital bed.





Good thing hes got the beard to keep him warm! Graeme Tabor by Todd Weselake





Cat by Aaron Whitfield





Two of the crews scope some bigones. Aaron Whitfield

There was a feeling of anticipation as the teams arrived at the lodge. For many it was their first experience riding at Island Lake and jaws dropped as the sun rose unveiling the endless possibilities that lay untracked, waiting in the bowls, ridges and chutes of the Lizard range and in the perfectly gladed trees of Mt. Baldy and Mt. Fernie. Needless to say you could smell the stoke and there was talk of big possibilities during the morning briefing and avalanche rescue training sessions.





Darcy Keller sends it straight over the lodges! Chris Messervey





Aaron Schmidt on the top of the wall. Todd Weselake





Mike Wilson got lazy and forgot to strap in both feet. Aaron Whitfield

The comp got off to a competitive start when Ryland Nelson, who was skiing for Rob Plato cut a clean swath straight through Dave Silver's first shot, putting a nice slash in what as an untracked piece of heaven and Dave's first session of the day. It was an innocent mistake, but none the less got the passion going, it was game on and the show began.

The skiers and riders got down to business and it wasn't long before the competition heated up as both photographers and riders familiarised themselves with the endless varied terrain.







One hell of a straightline. Graeme Tabor by Todd Weselake





Darcy Keller in the gnar at Island Lake Lodge. Chris Messervey





Dan Marriot, seconds away from a dislocated knee. Aaron Whitfield


As the event went on the snow conditions got even better, not to mention the pictures.
There were biglines skied, big cliffs hucked, pow slashes everywhere, trees lit on fire( only ones inflicted with pine beetle ) there was even naked skiing performed by Greame Tabor. Creativity was as abundant as the snow itself.

Each day saw an interesting and varied selection of pictures presented to the high energy, hungry residents of Fernie, who gathered at the Brickhouse and then at the Central.The apres Shoot-out parties were a great success and left everyone stoked and looking forward to the next days pictures.

Who took home the hardware?

Day 1 Monday
Best Scenic – Photo Ben van der Valk

Best Action Photo- Dave Silver & Athlete Mark Butcher

Best Athlete – Mikel Witlox 




Day 2 Tuesday

Best Scenic – Photo Rob Plato

Best Action – Photo Dave Silver and Tommy Westcott

Best Athlete - Luke Nelson


Day 3 Wednesday

Best Scenic – Photo – Dave Silver

Best Action – Photo - Aaron Whitfield and Athlete Derek Root
Best
Best Athlete – Aaron Schmidt



Dave Silver, who along with his team of riders took best action shot two out of three days, was judged the overall winner for best portfolio,
The best overall team went to the boys from Banff; Murray Hodgeson, Darcy Keller, Stu Varley with photographer Chris Messervey


All said and done the first Photo Shoot-out at Island Lake Lodge was a huge success, and sets the stage for more events at the famous backcoutry ski resort.

The event was also captured on video and short flick highlighting the event will be
out in a couple of weeks and will appear right here on Biglines.com. so stay tuned.
Check out Islandlakeresorts.com
to see the winning pictures from all three days.