Andrew Strain Photography

Every fall as the leaves turn colour and the days get shorter and longer, those of us who are addicted to the pursuit of the perfect line start getting restless. The first dusting of snow on the local mountains serves notice that winter is indeed just around the corner, and that restlessness boils over into full on night-before-christmas ADHD. The anxious daily routine of checking snow reports and forecasts and opening day updates begins, and doesn't end until the lifts are turning and the base is deep.

For the determined few, these early sprinklings of snow offer more than just anticipation. The rock boards, gore tex and avy gear come out of the closet and the backcountry addicts ascend into the alpine for the chance to sneak a few turns before fall reclaims its brilliant colours with a dousing of October rain.

For photographers, that first snowfall is a reminder that many of the photos we took last season failed to pique the interest of a buyer, particularly in times when money is tight. I'm stoked to say that my list of photos that are slated for publication is higher than last year, but I still have an extensive list of shots that didn't make the cut anywhere. As I wait for the opportunity to get to work this season, I'm going to post up some of my favorites from last year that have yet to find a home in print somewhere.

I'll start it off with a strobist-style photo of Taylor Pfaff on Whistler mountain. This log jib is usually a lot smaller, but the lack of snow last season made for a fun session.



Dream about snow! Stay tuned for further updates...

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Not much to say with this post, as I think the photos speak for themselves. After the storm passed, the clouds lifted and revealed the scars of a thoroughly badass avalanche cycle. While I scoped the slides from lift accessed terrain, photographer Jeff Patterson and the MSP crew had a sketchy close call out in the backcountry (read about it on his blog). Be careful out there!

Fissile got ripped open:


Some photos of a controlled avalanche on Poop Chutes in the full post:


Patrol bombed Poop Chutes and it rode to the road:


The runout rolled right up to the Blackcomb Glacier cat track:


A closer look at the start zone:


270mm reveals all the different layers in the crown. That is alot of snow coming down the mountain...


I'm sure if you knew the field of view at that focal length, one could figure out the actual size of the crown, but I'm fine with settling for "big". Props to patrol for keeping us safe.


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Wednesday was essentially a write off day due to the shenanigans that went down on Tuesday night, but we managed to get in a couple good laps in the afternoon. I was stoked to be riding sans camera - ripping through the trees and pillows is always a little nerve wracking when the contents of your backpack are worth more than your car...

On Thursday we got up bright and early (leaving from Vancouver early) and cashed in some previously purchased fresh tracks tickets to get up the mountain an hour or so before the general public. Fresh tracks is great, especially if you're really hungry - someone with a big stomach can easily get their money's worth at the breakfast buffet in the Roundhouse...

As is the norm during any decent Whistler storm, the visibility off the back of the peak was atrocious - the only remedy is to head into the trees.

Jake Cohn makes some low-vis pow turns:


More words and photos in the full post:

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Eliel Hindert drops 20:


Pow stoke:


Theoretically, this was going to be a fun photo of Eliel, Taylor and Jake all charging through the snow at the same time. You can see Eliel's ski, upside down, in the top right. Fail.


What's that you say, Eliel? It's deep?


Jake and Taylor try to coordinate their next move a little better:


Eric Poulin harvests some stump-pillow:


I got off the mountain at 5:45, soaking wet (I'm a sweaty beast) and dead tired. Back down to the city to dump photos, take a breather and see the lady before heading back up for the weekend...

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With last Saturdays snow and promising forecast, everyone was cautiously optimistic about the possibility an 04-05 style late season powder redemption. After holding back for 4 and a half months, Ullr finally returned to Whistler in early January fashion - 7 days of storm, 6 feet of fresh.

Tuesday brought a short break in the weather, throwing a little light down on the mid-storm goodness:



Our first lap on Peak, we hit up Christmas Trees and slashed up so much snow that I was physically impeded from breathing; constant face shots + jaw dropped in joy is a dangerous combination. I definitely pulled an Andy Samberg or 7 throughout the day.

More words and photos in the full post...

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Eric Poulin and Katie Hall-Leah share some Peak chair stoke:


When the bowls are tracked, those who know where they're going head into the trees. Katie imagines the possibilities on a deep pillow line:


I don't particularly like this angle. Katie almost took that chainsaw to my head...


Eric Poulin pops off a pillow and over some stumpage:


Taylor Pfaff does some stump-jumping of his own, grabbing tail for good measure.


From a hasty pit we dug in the pillow field, we were looking at about 60cm of storm snow on Tuesday, meaning the best was yet to come. Unfortunately, being a bunch of weak-willed beer lovers, St Patrick's Day festivities kept us off the mountain until noon on Wednesday...

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I've been limping around the mountain on my broken snowboards for the past 2 weeks now, but I guess I can't complain anymore. At least I didn't break my face...

The sun creeping up the wall was making life difficult for my feeble speedlights:


A few tries later, this wallride got nasty; click through to the full post to see the aftermath.

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Eric Poulin - "excuse me while I kiss the ground":




Nothing broken, just 4 stitches, a scar, and no shaving for a couple weeks. Bring on the 'stache.

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Spring has sprung, and it's time to ride some park... Erik Schauenstein lays down a FS 360 indy in the Whistler terrain park, with Blackcomb's 7th Heaven in the background.

Nikon D200 / AF-S 12-24
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First powder day @ Whistler in nearly two weeks = fun times for all; Eric Poulin pops a little method in the trees off peak to creek.

Nikon D200 / AF 50 1.4
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Pentax K10D - DA 50-200

Rusty and Poulin demonstrate their methods in the Blackcomb Park on Tuesday. If only Poulin could've squeezed in another foot of vert, the chopper would've been completely below him...

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Pentax K10D - DA 50-200
The top of Whistler's 7km long, 1.5km vertical Peak to Creek run, on a late December afternoon. Full Post and Comments

Pentax K10D - DA 10-17 Fisheye
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Pentax K10D - DA 50-200
Practice run at the Showcase Showdown, Feb 23, Whistler BC Full Post and Comments