snows best

Where winter’s finest photos compete frame-to-frame. From deep powder sends to spring pond skims, from star trails to summit sunsets – the 24/25 season was one for the photo album. Now, 16 of the year’s most iconic images go head-to-head in our annual Snow’s Best Bracket. Over five days, the Ikon Pass community will vote in daily Instagram Story polls to decide which photo captures the purest essence of mountain joy. Voting opens August 11 and runs through August 19. The winning image will be crowned Snow’s Best Shot on August 20 – with the photographer earning a cash prize, a 25/26 Ikon Pass, and full-frame fame. Tap through the rounds. Vote in Stories. Celebrate the shot that speaks to your winter soul. See The 16 Selects HERE’S THE BRACKET BREAKDOWN AUGUST 11 Day 1 – 16 in Exhibition Select the images that bring those big winter vibes. Voting begins August 11 in our Instagram Stories. AUGUST 13 Day 2 – 8 Great Selects Vote for the shots that create the most stoke. These are the images that bring you straight back to your best days on snow. AUGUST 15 Day 3 – 4 to Focus On With just four photos remaining, vote for what moves you most. From technical brilliance to emotional pull, let your feelings lead the way. AUGUST 18 Day 4 – 2 Final Frames Two photos left, pick the frame that defines winter joy for you. AUGUST 20 Day 5 – SNOW'S BEST SHOT The fan-favorite, best-in-class image from Winter 24/25. One frame to rule them all. MEET THE 16 SELECTS Each photo highlighted here will be matched up during the first round. Cast your votes in our Instagram Stories from August 11–19. The winner is crowned on August 20.Jilly Burns Photographer Instagram: @jillybirdadventures Location: @winterparkresort Athlete: @lj_henriquez Camera Body: Sony A1 Lens: FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS Settings: ISO 400, f/4.5, 1/8000s Backstory: Jilly met up with LJ and his crew for a golden-hour session at Winter Park Resort’s Railyard Park. As clouds rolled in, the light softened, and LJ’s (always) creative energy elevated every moment – each hit, each line, felt spontaneous and electric. This shot is the product of that shared rhythm between athlete and lens. Jeff Engerbretson Photographer Instagram: @skicamguy Location: @palisadestahoe Camera Body: Sony Alpha 1 II Lens: FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS Settings: ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/1600s Backstory: Taken on a crisp morning, the image captures a fleeting duality – fresh morning light and a full moon still holding its place in the sky, not quite ready to find its bed yet. Marcy Webster Photographer Instagram: @wildflowercreations_ Location: @sugarbush_vt Camera Body: GoPro HERO13 Black Lens: Built-In Settings: ISO 800, f/2.5, 30s Backstory: After weeks of snow-laden skies, Marcy finally got a clear night on January 22, 2025. She stashed her camera and set up for a long exposure – hopefully timing her capture with the rhythmic sweep of the groomer's headlights as they carved across Paradise. The result was a surreal mix of starlight and snowlight, a patient night’s reward. Emma Ostrom Photographer Instagram: @emma_elizabeth746 Location: @schweitzer Camera Body: Nikon Z8 Settings: ISO 320, 1/60s Backstory: Taken in Schweitzer’s chilled air, Emma captures a macro snowflake shot – a quiet, meticulous chase. John Entwistle Photographer Instagram: @entwistlephoto Location: @mikewiegele Athletes: @jmart.adventures, @andrea_wing, @connor_aitken Camera Body: Canon R3 Lens: Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM Settings: ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/1600s Backstory: At dinner the night before, John shared a vision with his guide: a clean ridge line, an open ski run, and a bold mountain backdrop. The next morning, that vision came to life. After a short walk from the helicopter drop, a window of light opened. Coordinated by radio, the timing between skiers and aircraft was spot on – one moment, one frame, perfectly realized. Adam Clark Photographer Instagram: @acpictures Location: @snowbird Athlete: @rhudsonsb Camera Body: Canon EOS R5 Lens: RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM Settings: ISO 160, f/8, 1/1250s Backstory: It was the kind of day every skier dreams of – deep powder under bluebird skies, and somehow, fresh tracks still waiting into the afternoon. Roger Salanova Photographer Instagram: @rsalanova Location: @grandvalira Athlete: @joan.aracil Camera Body: Nikon Z8 Lens: NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S Settings: ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/3200s Backstory: In the untouched terrain of Ordino Arcalís, Roger spent the day shadowing Joan through various wild lines. The conditions were solid, but the deeper story was about the connection between rider and terrain – less like freeride, more like ritual. Liam Packwood Photographer Instagram: @pakwd_ Location: @revelstokemtnresort Athlete: @katiegibson02 Camera Body: Panasonic Lumix S5 II Lens: LUMIX S 24-105/F4 Settings: ISO 640, f/5.6, 1/1250s Backstory: After multiple failed attempts to get the shot he envisioned, Liam asked Katie to hike the zone one more time. With time fading, he shouted his count. Three, two, one – Katie dropped, floated, and nailed the landing. Sometimes it takes every ounce of patience and grit to catch just one second of perfection. Ryan Salm Photographer Instagram: @ryansalmphotography Location: @palisadestahoe Athlete: @carsonmccarron Camera Body: Canon EOS R5 Lens: RF15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM Settings: ISO 400, f/13, 1/1600s Backstory: It was a classic morning at Palisades Tahoe – fresh snow and clear skies. With a full crew of photographers and skiers spread across Granite Peak, Ryan stepped back to let his peers and mentors pick their positions. Then he moved quietly, seeking a unique angle. When Carson dropped off the cliff with Lake Tahoe shimmering in the background, the timing aligned perfectly. The result was a clean frame captured from a position no one else had claimed. Cody Mathison Photographer Instagram: @cody.mathison Location: @mammothmountain Athlete: @marcusc9 Camera Body: Sony a7 III Lens: 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art 019 Settings: ISO 100, f/6.3, 1/1600s Backstory: The mountain received nine inches overnight on a weekday. By late afternoon, Cody and his crew had chased powder from bell to bell. As the sun dipped low, Marcus walked into frame – reflected perfectly in the glass of Chair 23’s iconic top station. The shot wasn’t planned, but the spaces in between are where real moments happen. Hywel Williams Photographer Instagram: @hywelwilliamsphoto Location: @revelstokemtnresort Athlete: @yusasaki223 Camera Body: Canon EOS R5 Lens: RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM Settings: ISO 800, f/9, 1/3200s Backstory: Snow Ghosts. Trees stand silent, their branches burdened with layers of snow and ice. Concealing their true form as if nature herself has draped a veil over her creation. Otto Solberg Photographer Instagram: @youottofollow Location: @snowbird Athlete: @skiponie Camera Body: Sony A1 Lens: Sony 16-35 Settings: ISO 200, f/9, 1/2000s Backstory: Syd Ricketts dropped into Great Scott just after a spring storm. The run is legendary, but often shadowed and difficult to shoot. Otto and Syd seized the moment as the storm cleared, and the morning light grazed the ridge. Jason Hummel Photographer Instagram: @jasonhummel Location: @crystalmountain Athlete: @smolairsar Camera Body: Sony A1 Backstory: Tucked beneath a canopy of ice-laden trees, Sarah Hampson tucks into a stash hidden in Crystal Mountain’s Green Valley. Harald Wisthaler Photographer Instagram: @wisthaler_photography Location: @my.dolomiti Camera Body: Nikon System Backstory: While on assignment in the Italian Alps, Harald was skiing with pros Hannah Melinn and Kevyn Read when the mountains opened up with cinematic light. With intuition and professional know-how, he caught a moment that turned an everyday descent into something timeless. Lucas Herbert Photographer Instagram: @herb.media Location: @arapahoe_basin Athlete: @full_send12 Camera Body: Canon EOS R5 Lens: RF14-35mm F4 L IS USM Settings: ISO 200, f/9, 1/1250s Backstory: Arapahoe Basin’s East Wall is known for its steep, unforgiving terrain—and for the local talent that rises to meet it. Reid, who grew up skiing the Basin, casually threw a backflip off this feature during the photographer’s first season shooting the area. Since that day, the two have returned again and again, working to capture the perfect angle. This image stands as one of their strongest efforts yet, showcasing both the technical challenge of the terrain and the confidence of a skier who calls it home. Mason Cameron Photographer Instagram: @mason_cameraman Location: @solitudemountain Athlete: Unknown Guest Camera Body: Sony a7 III Lens: FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS Settings: ISO 160, f/4.5, 1/3200s Backstory: During Solitude’s spring pond skim party, energy buzzed in every direction. Amid music and costumes, one contestant stole the show with a perfect belly flop – skis on, arms spread wide. Mason caught him mid-air, a split second before impact, holding his breath with the crowd. YOUR VOTE DECIDES Each vote you cast brings one photo closer to glory. Head to our Instagram Stories August 11–19 and click on the polls to make your picks. Then, share your favorites, tag the photographer, and drop some Instagram comments to rally your crew. Join us on August 20 as we unveil Snow’s Best Shot – the fan-favorite, best-in-class snap from Winter 24/25. A pure moment, forever remembered.

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