Shooting the Classics

“Vail has a few of these red-rock features. It reminds me of Moab—they really stick out against the blue skies. Of course, blue skies are quintessential Colorado: a foot and a half of fresh, dry snow, then a bluebird day. It happens all the time. And with such deep powder, people can jump off anything—even with Vail’s classic flat landings. —Jeff Cricco, photographer

Location: Vail, Colorado

Skier: Trevor Hiatt

“To a local, this is typical Jackson: looking out at an amazing big mountain scene. Everyone who has skied the backcountry here recognizes this peak; it’s called No Name. It takes a couple of hours to get there, but you obviously find huge amounts of real estate. And whoever drops in takes all the risk—it’s a steep, untested avalanche slope—but also gets all the glory. —Chris Figenshau, photographer
location: Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Skier: James Malkmus

“The classic Squaw shot has got to be a cliff jump—it’s what the mountain is known for—and this one is near the legendary KT-22 chair. So many great skiers have come out of here for so many years, and they’ve all skied these concentrated, rocky, technical areas. Any archetypal ski image has deep powder and blue sky, but at Squaw, the conditions can be more challenging. You have to be more creative. —Scott Markewitz, photographer
location: Squaw Valley, California
Skier: Ingrid Backstrom

“Deep, white, and as covered as you can possibly get—that’s Alta. The snow is so light that sometimes you only see a hand. This spot is just a short hike from the Catherine’s Pass gate at the top of the Supreme Lift; it gets great morning light. If you want the timeless Alta image, you have to get up early for first tracks. —Adam Clark, photographer
Location: Alta, Utah
Skier: Jamie Pierre

“Jay Peak gets a lot more snow than other resorts in the area. On this day, it was dumping, and there was barely any light. It’s quintessential Jay—shot during a blizzard, in the trees, kind of misty—because that’s what everyone is here for. There’s a different mentality in the East: Skiers here maximize every inch of the mountain and get innovative in the trees. They get off the lift, and you don’t see them until they come out at the bottom with their faces glowing. —Skye Chalmers, photographer
Location: Jay Peak, Vermont
Skier: Jay Deakin

“This image captures the best of Whistler Blackcomb: A sweeping background of the Coast Mountains, a big hit in the huge terrain park under the Catskinner Lift, and a skier—Mike Douglas—who’s a staple of Whistler’s ski culture. Even the tree in the foreground says Pacific Northwest—and makes the shot different from your typical, clean new-school photo. —Eric Berger, photographer
Location: Whistler Blackcomb, British Colombia
Skier: Mike Douglas