TWSSF '09

There are a few events over they year that are truly worth the wait. The TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival (TWSSF) is one of them.  Last year was my media introduction to TWSSF and the biggest thing I took away from the 2008 events was timing. There are so many things happening all day long that making sure to get to each event became a new sport.

I think this year was set up in a way that there were only a few overlapping agendas, but just to be safe, I brought along pro-photographer, Gordon Ross.


(image courtesy of Gordon Ross)

As I focused on the art based events, Gordon hit the hills with skis and snowboard to capture the athletes throwing themselves around the half-pipe and some serious jump hucking. I'll be posting up a whole separate page for Gordon's work.

In true Whistler fashion, my accommodations during the festival were with my brother's friend that lives high in the hills over Creekside. Getting a place to stay in Whistler, if you're on a budget, can prove to be a challenge so you are always grateful when a bed opens up...in my case, a hot tub. Yep... tucked away in a bright corner of this old cabin in the hills was the emergency bed hook up of a platform built on top of a hot tub with an air mattress. I don't care what you say, this was a super comfy bed even if I did need a boost to get into it. Big thanks to Mike Duffy and Andy for putting me up..I hope you guys enjoy the beers I left you!



We got in on the Friday to capture some early kick off gatherings and to meet some of the organizers. First was a press conference with Olympians and hopefuls with other members of the press. Gordon has some photos of the line up to share later on. There was a bit of 'camera envy' going on so I just took a shot of the sign outside.

This was a new edition to the festival for the press and a mighty fine opportunity to meet some of the locals who have been involved with the Olympics and the history of Whistler.






After some schmoozing and boozing, I went back down to the TELUS convention center where the artists were setting up for Skate of the Art and State of the Art. Two events celebrating two different things, on different nights but in the same place. I missed the Skate and Deploy that was going on in the lower parking garage but I did find a few people who managed to get some shots.. here, here, and here.


Phresha finishing up some labels.                             Jeff Denomme and Darren Camplin


Jeff and Darren preparing for the opening.


Some pre-show mayhem




Custom shoes by Phresha



Soak

Skate of the Art events kicked off with some live DJ's, live paining with a skate photography and deck art exhibit by Color Magazine.

..a few parking violations were added to the exhibit.


Images taken by world renowned skate photographers.


TiFdyL                                                        (image courtesy of Gordon Ross)



The Skate of the Art party didn't quite have the attendance I was expecting but it was great to see so much skate photography in one place. (yes, there were more than 3 people there)

Color Magazine had a few healthy stacks of complimentary magazines, postcards and calendars on display throughout the whole event. I'd say the party was the perfect kind of mellow. Not too busy, not too quiet. I'm definitely looking forward to next years offerings. (*pray for better lighting*)

---