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ARC’TERYX and Whistler Blackcomb will present the inaugural Deep Winter Photo Challenge January 3 through 6, 2007. The contest celebrates the typical January weather systems that pelt the majestic Coast Mountain Range with storms, leaving behind epic powder days and deep tree skiing throughout the winter months.

Deep Winter has invited five photographers to team up with athletes of their choosing, and spend three days inbounds on Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Their goal is to capture the essence of the legendary winter storms and bring that to life in a slideshow presentation. The photographers will present their work in front of judges and the public on Saturday, January 6 in Whistler. 

Deep Winter will showcase some of the who’s who among Whistler’s ski and snowboard photographers. Contest participants include: Whistler ski photography legend Paul Morrison; Future Snowboarding Magazine photo editor and long-time Whistler snowboard photographer Dano Pendygrasse; Snowboarder Magazine’s senior photographer Oli Gagnon; contributing photographer to Transworld Snowboarding and Snowboard Canada Dice-K Maru; and 2005’s Powder Magazine ‘photo of the year’ winner Bryn Hughes. The five will compete for $3,250 in prize money and the right to boast the title ‘king of storms’. This contest will be a deeply inspiring event for every winter storm lover, as each photographer will no doubt deliver a compelling journey through Whistler’s deep winter.

“This contest was born out of the fact that many ski or snowboard photos depict blue sky days and don’t often pay tribute to the awesome winter weather that can roll through the mountains,” says Mike Douglas, professional skier, long time Whistler local, and the inspiration behind the contest. “The really stormy days here in Whistler make for some epic days on the mountains. This contest is all about celebrating and embracing that weather, and sharing those moments with others who are as passionate about winter storms!” 

The slide show, taking place at Millennium Place on Saturday January 6, will be followed by a party at the newly renovated Glacier Shop, located right across the pedestrian stroll. Millennium Place doors open at 7pm with the slide show beginning at 8pm. Tickets for the slide show and after-party are $9.99 and can be purchased at Millennium Place, Ticketmaster or online at Ticketmaster.ca.

“What a great way to celebrate the drama of the coastal storm season,” says John Irvine, Sports Marketing Director at ARC’TERYX. “At ARC’TERYX we are inspired by the majesty of the mountain environment, and each storm provides a fresh and dynamic canvas for these artists/photographers, and the athletes they will work with. To assemble Whistlers’ best photographers to capture this as a subject will be a unique and amazing spectacle.”

“We are very excited to bring these five amazing local photographers together under one roof to see what they create after three days on the mountains,” says Whistler Blackcomb’s public relations & communications manager Christina Moore. “This contest really speaks to our roots as a resort. Whistler has built its reputation in part on our stormy weather, as this is what delivers such incredible ski conditions throughout the winter. We’re thrilled to be celebrating this along with these renowned photographers. It’s going to be a great event.”

The three judges for the event include well-known professional Whistler snowsports photographer Eric Berger, Snowboard Canada’s photo editor and snowboard photographer Colin Adair, and ARC’TERYX’s Creative Director Tom Duguid. Deep Winter is presented in partnership by ARC’TERYX and Whistler Blackcomb, along with media partners Snowboard Canada and Skier Magazines.

Event information, current snow conditions and accommodation deals for the January 6^th weekend are all available at whistlerblackcomb.com/deepwinter.