Skis and snowboards are perched near the front doors of many Whistler homes, ready, waxed and waiting for Ullr to bestow another delivery of fresh pow' on the mountains.
But there are a few people who are awaiting this gift a little more anxiously than others - the five photographers that have been tapped to compete in the fourth annual Deep Winter Photo Challenge.
The competition is part of the Deep Winter Experience, which runs from Jan. 4 to 10, and will see five professional photographers shooting in-bounds on Whistler and Blackcomb for three days, vying for the best shots of athletes in powder filled bowls, pillowy treelines and, of course, during après.
This year, Jordan Manley returns to defend his two titles against Paul Morrison, who won the first competition in 2007. Ashley Barker, Colin Adair and Nicolas Teichrob have also been invited to compete.
The photographers will edit their shots down into slideshows that will be shown to a live audience and judged by a panel of industry professionals, with a prize purse of $6,000 and the title of "King of Storms" up for grabs.
"Deep Winter is a great way of generating images that you wouldn't otherwise get because it forces you to be creative," Manley said in a recent release. "I just find the competition format is fun and the atmosphere is great. No one takes it too seriously."
The slideshows will be shown to the public during a special event at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler's Macdonald Ballroom on Thursday, Jan. 7, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and the show starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $14.95 plus tax through Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations locations or by calling 1-800-766-0449.
Museum is finally open, again
After almost two years out of commission, the Whistler Museum is finally opening to the public again, introducing a special new exhibit entitled Whistler's Olympic Journey at their open house today (Thursday, Dec. 17.)
The event starts at 11 a.m. and runs until 7 p.m., and all members of the public are welcome to come out and see the museum's new home and exhibit at 4333 Main Street (beside the library.) Admission is by donation.
The Whistler Museum is then open to the public seven days a week from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and admission will be $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and $4 for youth. Children under the age of six are free, and families of four to six people can visit for $20.
Scrooge and friends reading
Sure, we've all heard the story of Ebenezer Scrooge before, but have you ever heard Squamish Chief Ian Campbell or the Pique's own G.D. Maxwell narrating?
Keeping with an annual holiday tradition, the Whistler Conference Centre will play host to a special presentation of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol on Monday, Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. Presented by The Whistler Forum for Leadership and Dialogue, the evening will feature well-known local personalities like Mike Varrin, Heather Paul and G.D. Maxwell reading parts of the classic Christmas tale.
Admission is a $10 donation at the door.
Getting Wild at Art for 2010
The Squamish Valley Artists Society, VISUALS, is currently on the hunt for Sea to Sky artists who are interested in taking part in a special exhibition for the 2010 Spirit of Squamish Festival.
The Wild At Art Gallery is being hosted in a brand-new venue, the UpStares Gallery, this year, and theme of the exhibit is Water! H20.
Artists from the Sea to Sky region are invited to submit their original and current work to be considered for inclusion in this year's show, which will be on display from Feb. 1 to March 5.
Submission deadline is Jan. 8. For guidelines or more information on the exhibit, contact info@upstares-gallery.com .
