The mountains are the ultimate playground. Looking at how rock and snow form over winter into skiable terrain is worth the chase when capturing a photo like this is the reward. Mark Abma and I spotted this line in the Whistler backcountry, and within twenty minutes, he was on top of the line, ready to ride the big wave.
The mountains are the ultimate playground. Looking at how rock and snow form over winter into skiable terrain is worth the chase when capturing a photo like this is the reward. Mark Abma and I spotted this line in the Whistler backcountry, and within twenty minutes, he was on top of the line, ready to ride the big wave.
my upbringing was about as far as you could imagine from skiing. I was first introduced to the sport as a teenager when an old family friend invited us to come along for a week vacation at a small resort in the French Alps. The experience changed the entire arc of my life—from then on, skiing would play a major role.
Going to the moon! Whenever I step out to my balcony, I need to rub my eyes to believe this is the view. One evening, while editing photos, I suddenly turned around to see the moon rising over the Armchair glacier. I immediately ran to grab my camera and went out to the balcony. I am proud to capture this photo while wearing my house slippers.
Austin Ross is skiing down Disease Ridge’s most predominant spine. It had been a relatively dry and windy start to the season. As a photographer, my job is to always work with the conditions and use them to my advantage. I decided to try something a little different in this particular photo as I smudged water drops on my lens filter to create this effect.
Going to the moon! Whenever I step out to my balcony, I need to rub my eyes to believe this is the view. One evening, while editing photos, I suddenly turned around to see the moon rising over the Armchair glacier. I immediately ran to grab my camera and went out to the balcony. I am proud to capture this photo while wearing my house slippers.
Austin Ross is skiing down Disease Ridge’s most predominant spine. It had been a relatively dry and windy start to the season. As a photographer, my job is to always work with the conditions and use them to my advantage. I decided to try something a little different in this particular photo as I smudged water drops on my lens filter to create this effect.
Several years later, having completed three years of military service and with only a few weeks of ski experience under my belt, I set off on a multi-year journey that would take me skiing all over Europe. My deep passion for the sport and photography merged, and I collected incredible memories and captured breathtaking images. However, there was always a piece missing from the puzzle: a sense of belonging.
Early in 2016, I made my first trip to Whistler, British Columbia. On my first day of skiing and shooting, a group of athletes and I stayed out late in hopes of catching sunset on Disease Ridge, a classic zone below Blackcomb Peak and only a short tour from the resort’s chairlifts. The views from the top of the exposed ridge reveal the Spearhead Range on one side and Whistler’s iconic Black Tusk on the other. Steep spine lines form on its northwest aspect, a result of the Coast Mountains’ prolific storms and dense maritime snowpack. The terrain and setting have garnered quite a reputation for skiers and photographers alike.
It was a cold, frosty January day, and clouds had obscured the sun for most of the day. It began to break up just a bit in the afternoon, so we set off for Disease Ridge. After 30 minutes touring, we reached the crest and waited patiently on the ridge for over an hour, fingers crossed for a clear window. What happened next was nothing short of amazing.
The sun eventually broke through a thin line between the clouds and the peaks in the distance, painting the northwest faces of Disease Ridge with explosive, vibrant alpenglow. Rays of light that broke through the sky shimmered across the slopes—a spectacular light show.
My heart beat like mad as we rushed to set up as many photos as possible. I moved down the steep and exposed slopes of Disease Ridge to get in position, capturing shot after shot of the athletes ripping down—the pace and sensation was a completely new experience for me. The surreal moment lasted only about ten minutes, but it came to change my life.
Later that same year, I decided to move to Whistler. Ever since, I’ve called this special place home.
After my first experience on Disease Ridge, I’ve returned many times. Often, I go there with my full camera setup and a crew of skiers. Other times, I find myself there simply to enjoy the mountains.
Disease Ridge inspired and shaped me as a photographer. Each time I’m up there with the camera, I’m presented with an opportunity to create something new and unique. The snow conditions, light, and environment are constantly shifting; it’s a classroom that taught me to be dynamic and continually work to showcase the mountain’s conditions, whatever they may be.
Disease Ridge provided me with the ability to sharpen my skills as a skier and photographer; it plays a huge role in my portfolio and professional work. But most importantly, it provided me with an inalienable sense of belonging.
GUY FATTAL is a Whistler-based outdoor photographer. His style aims to showcase the vastness of nature while highlighting the human experience. Combined with a unique eye for capturing light, his work has carried him to significant accomplishments by winning Europe’s 2015 ‘King of Dolomites,’ Whistler’s prestigious 2017 ‘Deep Winter Photo Challenge, and the 2020 ‘Jackson Hole Exposed.’ In his free time, Guy enjoys mastering his Israeli hummus recipe.
GUY FATTAL is a Whistler-based outdoor photographer. His style aims to showcase the vastness of nature while highlighting the human experience. Combined with a unique eye for capturing light, his work has carried him to significant accomplishments by winning Europe’s 2015 ‘King of Dolomites,’ Whistler’s prestigious 2017 ‘Deep Winter Photo Challenge, and the 2020 ‘Jackson Hole Exposed.’ In his free time, Guy enjoys mastering his Israeli hummus recipe.
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