Category: Articles (Page 5 of 5)

By Susan Schnier
May 2006

Tony Harrington, a 40-year-old Australian photographer and filmmaker, has been capturing surf and snow from the front lines since age 16. A sponsored surfer for three years and a sponsored skier for seven, Harro won the 2006 Powder Magazine Photo of the year and the 2002 Red Bull Snowthrill World-Champion Choice Award. He’s always on the road, seeking out the most untapped locations like steep lines on 50-acre islands in Greenland. He regularly shoots pros like Shane McConkey, Jeremy Nobis and Chris Davenport and has placed photos on over 80 magazines covers. But Harro is driven into the mountains by an obsession with skiing and adventure, not fame. He’s more passionate about participating in the action than his bank account or even his photos.

“I don’t know the meaning of can’t do it. Only by breaking rules and boundaries can you take life to a new level. I bought my first camera – a Minolta Weathermatic – at a local shop when I was 16. My parents were sure I wouldn’t be able to afford the film and processing. I never do anything I’m told, so I bought it anyway. I got a front cover on my first submission to a surf magazine and my second to a ski magazine. All self-taught, I’ve never taken a photography course or read any books on it.”

“Most photographers can’t ski the gnarly stuff with the athletes. I ski the same Alaskan slopes as they do, with 50 pounds of camera gear. Sometimes I’m just trying to stay alive, but it lets me get photos that no one else does.”

“My parents were injured in a horrific car accident eight years ago. It was a wakeup call to always do what I love and be 110% happy with my life because it could end at any point. I decided to end a long-term relationship. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it turned out to be the right thing.”

“It’s too easy to take a photo in good weather. I’d rather shoot on a storm day. You get to take more risk, use more imagination and think more. Engineering was my trade from 16 until 26, when I became a full-time photographer. The more I can use my brain, the more satisfying my work is.”

“I might be too soulful and not business savvy enough for this industry. Competition is healthy because it makes you stay on top of your game. But it pisses me off when photographers start undercutting rates just to get published. Small companies that promised they’d look after me when they got big have picked up the next young photographer to save money. In the last few years they’re starting to come back to the best and proven photographers are starting to get the respect that we deserve.”

“I make decisions instantaneously based on what’s happening at the moment and I’ve achieved a lot that way. Now I’m trying to learn how to be less independent for my wife, Fabienne, and some projects that will only succeed with the help of others. We’re trying to resurrect the World Heli Challenge in Wanaka, New Zealand next year. There’s still nothing like it on the planet. I have the athletes and the global media deal and great interest from big sponsors. Lots of the athletes I knew 20 years ago now have big roles in marketing, media and athlete coordination. The resurrection couldn’t happen without this passionate and knowledgeable group of contacts and their conviction that it’s possible.”

[Follow up from Harro: “The World heli Challenge didn’t get off the ground in 2007, but oh my god, it certainly looks like it has for 2008! All thanks to a team that I got around me! Visit worldhelichallenge.com for an update.

Women’s

Oakely Behave Sunglasses
The Behave builds on the classic Top Gun look, adding touches like polarized carbonic lenses and two-tone arms. Despite the small to medium-sized fit, the full-sized lenses offer maximum sun and wind protection while on a highway to the danger zone. $80 (polarized), oakley.com

Orage Brazillia Tweed Jacket
This ain’t your grandpa’s tweed coat. In fact, it’s not tweed at all. The shell is made from a waterproof PR1MEtweedlike material and has a detachable hood, fleece-liner collar, and neoprene wrist cuffs. The jacket’s muted gray colors, leather-accented zippers, and funky print lining offer a blend of refinement and spunk. Unlike grandpa. $340, orageski.com

Obermeyer Illusion Pant
A slim fit at the waist and a reverse taper give this pant that Levis styling—baggy, relaxed, and flattering. They more pockets than you have things to put in them, and sealed seams, powder cuffs and leg ventilation. Plus, they’re available in corduroy. $139, obermeyer.com

Spy Bias Goggle
A sleek and spherical lens, reduced frame size, and triple layer foam combine to fit a woman’s face like a pair of designer jeans. The gold accents and a bold-but-tasteful pink and black motif offer classy flair. [$100, spyoptic.com]

Salmon Divine Origins Helmet
The two-tone design uses hard plastic in the upper shell and embossed leather for the lower part. Engage the ventilation with the flip of a switch on the top, and close it up when you start to cool down. Cozy faux fur prevents frozen lobes, and the hybrid (hard plastic upper and softer, leather lower shell covering) design eliminates bobble-head syndrome. $185, salomonski.com

Manzella Inferno Component Glove
Three gloves in one: you can wear the black neoprene liners alone on spring days, the liners with the fleece-lined shells on arctic days, and the insulated shell without the liner for the in-betweens. The shell has reinforced leather palms to reduce pole-grip wear and a soft leather nose-wipe on the outside of the thumb. $50, manzella.com

Pistil Sprout Hat
Soft on the inside, burly on the outside, the fleece-lined Sprout is made from 100-percent boiled Schoeller wool, or “lana cotta” in the romance language. Its timeless, weathered look derives from the boiling process and a unique weave on a 50-year-old Italian knitting machine holds it together. $34, pistildesigns.com

Bridgedale Women’s Heel Fit Socks
Women’s narrow heels often slide out of the boot’s heel pocket, causing blisters and hindering performance. A custom boot fit is the cure, but the extra padding in these lightweight socks helps ensure a snug fit. $20, bridgedale.com

 

Deuter Freerider 22SL Pack

Pack it to the gills and this versatile pack stays slim. Contoured shoulder straps and a thin waist strap keep it anchored. Cushy padding protects your back and lets air circulate. A ski attachment system and interior probe and shovel pockets let you leave gates with confidence. $95, deuterusa.com

Scott Black Velvet Pole
Jet-black, sleek and silky smooth, this velvet-clad pole whispers sex from, uhm, grip to shaft. A matching, velvet Alibi goggle ties the steeze together. And should you feel a bit kinkier, both goggle and pole come in leather, too. $110, scottusa.com

Giro Crepes Suzette Après Boot
Helmet-maker Giro waltzes onto the footwear scene this season with its new earth-tone kicks. The leather, moccasin-styled Crepe Suzette boot has a cream colored canvas upper a sole-to-ankle side lace. A zipper down the heel lets you in and out. $125, giro.com

Sanyo Xacti E1
Take six-megapixel high-res still shots and high-quality MPEG-4 video with this tiny waterproof camera. The small, vertical unit can be operated with one gloved hand, and the 2.5-inch viewfinder is the largest Sanyo’s ever made. A 5x optical zoom lets you film soulful close-ups. The digital files transfer seamlessly to your computer for your YouTube debut. $500, sanyodigital.com

 

Men’s

Spyder Venom Godfather Jacket and Pant
Cruising further away from its racer roots, Spyder’s rider-driven, big-mountain Venom line features this Thermoloft-insulated technical performer with muted style. The textile-like shell has with a water-repellant coating with mesh chest vents, taped seems, and a burly detachable hood.
$300 (jacket), $200 (pant); venom.spyder.com

Dragon Mace Goggle
When you’re hauling ass down a big line, your eyes are your most important tools. The Mace provides superb peripheral vision, complete optical clarity, and good airflow to prevent fog. Microfleece-lined face foam and a wide strap keeps them in place. $95, dragonalliance.com

Bolle Troost Sunglasses
These lightweight polarized shades can take a beating—and make you look like you can dole one out. $139; bolle.com

Marker Ripper Helmet
This burly noggin-saver has a bolted-on, removable chin guard and visor for those rocky hazards. Lightweight despite its strength, it won’t weigh you down . while 11 vents will ensure cooler heads prevail. $200, markerusa.com

Holden Gaf Beanie
A big day on the hill sets you up for quality downtime in the evenings. The earth-toned Gaf beanie has a cozy, loose-knit construction and full-coverage fit to keep you toasty while lounging, sipping beers, and generally hanging out. $31, holdenouterwear.com

Level Rexwood Glove
Supple 100% Pittard’s leather and a trim, no-bulk cut give the Rexwood enough flair for Italian motorcycle drivers. They also come in a brown leather and houndstooth version but, bella, that just ain’t our style. $90; levelgloves.com

Smartwool Skiing Light Pro Socks
A lean, well-fitting sock is the key to keeping feet warm and comfortable in your boots. Light padding in the shins and soles protect sensitive areas, and the wicking merino wool keeps you warm, dry, and smelling fresh. $19, smartwool.com

Sessions d3o Diffusion First Layering
The foam-rubber-like d30 elbow and knee pads in Session’s latest base layers harden on impact, protecting your extremities from whatever threatens you—be it rocks, trees, ice, nightclub bouncers, or commitment. $40–$50; sessions.com

Leki Trigger S Ski Pole Binding
They keep your boots on your skis, why not your hands on your poles? The releasable grip/strap binding system uses a power strap that attaches to the back of the grip and Velcros on to your glove. If you take a digger, it auto-releases under pressure. The pole has a 10-degree angle for quicker planting. $79 to $149, leki.com

BCA Stash BC Pack
This year, Boulder-based pack maker BCA upgraded their flagship line lightening the load by minimizing layering and welding seams. New temperature-regulating Outlast material in the shoulder straps draws heat from the body, stores it and uses it to keep the bite-value unfrozen when you take off the pack or ride the lift.. Their Stash BC winter hydration system remains one of the best in the biz. $125; bcaccess.com

Freestyle Audio DMP
Weighing less than 35 grams, this mp3 player is waterproof up to 10 feet so you can take it out in a storm, and has easy-to-use buttons to change tunes on the fly. The USB-interface works on both Macs and PCs, and the rechargeable battery lasts up to 40 hours. That’s a lot of cowbell. $100 (1 GB), freestyleaudio.com

A website developer and writer, Susan McCormick has written for ski industry consumer and trade publications. The former Managing Editor of Couloir Magazine, she has traveled all over the U.S. – as well as Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, India, Chileand Argentina – writing destination pieces. Susan’s ski and travel stories have appeared in Skiing Magazine, Ski Press Magazine, SnoWorld Magazine, the SnowPress Show Daily and REI.com. She lives in Truckee, California and spends plenty of time “researching” in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Rob McCormick is an amateur photographer and filmmaker and major contributor to the blog. He has lived in North Lake Tahoe since 1994.  He likes backcountry tours in the North Lake Tahoe/Truckee region and beyond.