snows best | Lifted by Ikon Pass

To celebrate the wonder that is winter, we’re once again turning your cold-weather adventures into a celebration of magnificent proportions. Welcome to Snow’s Best Bracket, where moments that live forever are captured with the click of the shutter. This year, we’ve extended the invitation to outdoor photographers to shoot their best, most stoke-filled, adrenaline-fueled shots from the 23/24 season. Starting August 12, we’ll be pitting incredible shots against each other over five thrilling days. Vote for your favorite on each day’s Instagram Stories. Your vote shapes the next round, so don’t miss out on helping us crown Snow’s Best image that epitomizes pure powder day bliss. Contestants: Photographer: Tom Poole – Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Canada Story behind the shot - Revelstoke Mountain Resort: I had this shot in my mind for a while and after a good long day of shooting, we were pretty cooked and ready to call it, but I was itching to try a second attempt after our first efforts of this shot didn't quite go as planned. As normal JJ was happy to give it a go and on the final click of the day, this photo of @jj_vinet shows a unique angle of the glorious tree skiing that Revelstoke is renowned for. Photographer: Tracy Tuttle – Schweitzer, Idaho Story behind the shot – Schweitzer: Northern lights over Sandpoint. These lights are rare here, but whenever there's a chance, I grab my camera. After 5 years of night adventures, it finally paid off. The display lasted for hours and was worth the wait. Seeing so many people out that night was amazing. Driving down the mountain road felt like a powder day car parade. Photographer: Hywel Williams – Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Canada Story behind the shot – Revelstoke Mountain Resort: Michaela Davis Meehan showcases fresh mountain mastery at Revelstoke, scaling a striking natural feature before descending into the dramatic rocky amphitheater. This shot captures the thrill of untouched terrain and the unyielding spirit of adventure. Photographer: Reuben Krabbe – SkiBig3, Canada Story behind the shot – SkiBig3: Every season, I watch snowboarders with envy as they carve their unique paths through the snow. This year, Kayla Dedio at SkiBig3 reminded me why we chase these thrills. Sometimes, making those 'adult' decisions about risk keeps us on two planks, but moments like these are worth every second of it. Photographer: Vivika Stamolis – Crystal Mountain Resort, Washington Story behind the shot – Crystal Mountain Resort: It was Sunday, April 14th, 2024, the last day Silver King would be open for the 23/24 season as the snow melted into spring. Local shredder Lena Captain is about to crest the summit of the iconic Silver King with Mt. Rainier and the White River as our backdrop. It was a special day to close out the winter season together from the top of Crystal's highest peak at 7,012 feet...and already daydreaming about what day we would be back up here next winter! Photographer: Roger Salanova – Grandvalira Resorts Andorra, Andorra Story behind the shot – Grandvalira Resorts Andorra: A cold and blustery morning at Grandvalira seemed to promise a day indoors, but a sudden break in the weather illuminated the mountain in a magical light. Cani López-cediel and I seized the moment, turning shadows into a playground of possibilities. Photographer: Amy Jimmerson – Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyoming Story behind the shot – Jackson Hole Mountain Resort: Bluebird days at Jackson Hole are nothing short of powder perfection. Max Martin carves through a dreamscape with the iconic Sleeping Indian watching over. This is cold-weathered wonder at its finest. Photographer: Christian Pondella – Mammoth Mountain, California Story behind the shot – Mammoth Mountain: A bluebird powder day at Mammoth Mountain with The North Face athlete Sam Smoothy is picturesque winter bliss. Capturing the perfect run in perfect conditions is what snow dreams are made of. Photographer: Jeff Engerbreton – Palisades Tahoe, California Story behind the shot – Palisades Tahoe: Shooting on Granite Chief Peak with Warren Miller Entertainment. Palisades Tahoe athlete, Jeremy Jones and his son, Cass, are incredible to watch snowboard together. Jeremy finds beautiful lines everywhere and Cass blends his dad's style with huge airs and freestyle-inspired riding. Photographer: Nick McMahon – Palisades Tahoe, California Story behind the shot – Palisades Tahoe: A rare Aurora Borealis graced the night sky over Palisades Tahoe, casting a surreal glow over the Pistenbully snowcat. This shot captures the mystical beauty of winter nights and the unexpected magic they bring. Photographer: Carter Edwards – SkiBig3, Canada Story behind the shot – SkiBig3: May 2024 brought one of the most spectacular solar storms in recent history. The sun unleashed five Coronal Mass Ejections and a massive sunspot cluster, creating an unforgettable celestial show. As the clouds dispersed, revealing a clear sky, I quickly contacted Kendra Scurfield at Sunshine Village. With her approval, friends Mark Valtr, Em Lucas, Jess Chapman and David Arney joined me for a spontaneous expedition to Howly Bowly. The sky glowed as we captured the fleeting magic. Photographer: Kyle Lieberman – Solitude Mountain Resort, Utah Story behind the shot– Solitude Mountain Resort: At the Red Bull Cascade, Gus Kenworthy brought his A-game to Solitude, Utah. March 29, 2024, will be remembered for iconic runs and unforgettable moments, capturing the spirit of competition and the thrill of the slopes. Photographer: Ben Duke – Steamboat, Colorado Story behind the shot – Steamboat: The light was flat for days, we were getting pounded with snow, but the light for getting a dynamic, contrasted shot was simply not there. So, we created our own opportunity. Aryeh called and said, "Hey, wanna bring those strobes to get that shot you've been talking about?" Here's the result... lights were strapped to his pack and legs. Photographer: Zach Gould – Stratton, Vermont Story behind the shot – Stratton: Whale watching takes on a whole new meaning at Stratton, Vermont. Capturing the majesty of snow-covered 'whales' on the mountain, this shot is a testament to the beauty and magic of winter. Photographer: Jamie Walter – Sugarloaf, Maine Story behind the shot – Sugarloaf: To witness a solar eclipse anywhere is extraordinary; to catch totality directly over the mountain you call home is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. After years of anticipation, months of hoping for favorable conditions, and weeks of planning, I am still a little speechless that this happened. Photographer: Jay Stewart – Winter Park Resort, Colorado Story behind the shot – Winter Park Resort: At a private shoot in Railyard Terrain Park, Zeb decided to grab his incredibly long snowboard and try following his US Snowboard Half Pipe friends into the pipe after they were done on the jumps. The lighting hit just right as I was on the lip, and the sun was setting, all his friends were cheering, and he still managed to put on an incredible show even on some terrain that felt slightly foreign to his usual. Honorable Mentions:

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