I had a landmark moment in my life last week. I got sunburnt earlier in this new year, than in any year before. On March 1st I returned from the hill with squinting eyes and a glowing face. Not much of a burn, just one of those minor ones which morphs into a budding goggle tan by morning, but a burn no less.

Applying aloe vera brought around smells of spring and summer. Of lazy days at alpine lakes, of long warm days and bluebird skies, of… dare I say it? Bikes? But thats still all too far off. There are too many face shots, deep turns, backcountry tours and spring corn days to enjoy before I really switch gears.

We’ve waited too long for winter to get all worked up about summer. Rekindle your impatience, evoke the stoke, there is snow much skiing yet to be had.

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Austin Ross, on a downright ugly morning in Whistler. A kind of ugly we are all happy to wake up to.

The lands surrounding Whistler BC carries a multitude of overlapping and intertwining stories. Dimensions of heritage, geology, settlement, exploration, conflict, industry, and culture. A list of perspectives as long as the number people who have lived and travled through the region.

A single landmark seems to hold elements of each perspective in it’s striking and dramatic nature. Popularly known now as The Black Tusk, it’s original name as given by the Squamish nation is t’ak’t'ak mu’yin tl’a in7in’a'xe7en which means: ‘Landing Place of the Thunderbird’.

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The outcropping of rock was formed by a long extinct volcano, a reminder of the length of geographic history which has shaped this landscape over thousands and millions of years. It’s differing names call to mind the diversity of peoples who have inhabited the region, naming the features of this land according to their history and culture. The shape encapsulates a lifestyle to which so many identify; a pursuit of adventure, exploration, personal achievement and conquest. From it’s summit, the horizons tell stories of industry and conservation battling throughout the resource rich forests, mountains, and streams.

The annual Deep Winter photography competition in Whistler BC is an amazing event. Every year it brings together a diverse number of photographers and athletes to compete in the single biggest snowsports photography competition. Somehow I got myself into the chaos this year, to participate in the first storm-less deep winter. I brought in two of the three Treadway brothers; Dave and Dan. Two athletes who know their way around two planking it in Whistler.

Though the snow wasn’t luxurious, the light on Wednesday made up for it. In these short winter months the sun stays low on the horizon all day, illuminating beautiful texture and detail. The first day of the competition was nearly cloudless, and with the snow de-grading over the course of the week, most of the action for my slideshow was captured in the first 8 hours of the competition.

Dave, Dan and myself worked to tell a story that resonates between the three of us, and among all snow enthusiasts. A story of an athlete’s journey through the injury-rehab process, and the depression and stresses that come as that story plays out in our friendships.

Our efforts garnered 3rd place overall, as well as the title Best [Image] In Show.

Deep Winter Links:
-Online voting for People’s Choice (Send me heliskiing, and you can also win)
-Pre-Event interview with the Whistler Question, highlighting that I’m the youngest ever to compete in Deep Winter
-Dave Treadway being interviewed by DogLotion.com
-Event recap by Whistler Is Awesome
-ESPN with some of my words, and some of my images

As a blanket of white descends from higher elevation on the peaks outside my window, it gracefully begins to transform the jagged rocky outcrops into comforting smooth contours. Winter is coming.

That smell is in the air, the chilled breeze bites at my neck whispers of the colder times to come.