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Tonight, Thursday April 18, 2013 the Pro Photographer Showdown takes place as part of the 18th annual World Ski & Snowboard Festival. Top action sports and outdoor lifestyle photographers will share the most exhilarating images of their careers in what has become one of the most anticipated and respected photography events in the world.

To get into the photographic spirit of the event we’ve asked Whistler Insider staff photographer Mike Crane to toss together some of his favourite shots from this past winter in Whistler. Enjoy Mike’s photo recollection of another great season over winter 2012-13.


November 21, 2012. Skiing and boarding season begins with a bang.

November 23. World Cup Bobsleigh at the Whistler Sliding Centre.

November 28. The Whistler Film Festival brings big stars to the mountains and great movies to the screen with a real emphasis on Canadian talent.


December 2. The early season pow keeps on coming.


December 12. Another fine night in the mountains.


December 17. Christmas comes early with big storms rolling through Whistler, pow days for everyone.


December 22. Ski with Santa Day sees dozens of Jolly Saint Nicks ripping Whistler (leaving a few confused children in their wake).


December 30. Whistler Nordic trails see perfect conditions and lots of use as the popularity of “skinny skis” continues to grow.


December 31.New Year’s Eve in Whistler.


January 14, 2013. the PEAK2PEAK gondola showcases life above the clouds.


January 14. Catching air in the Blackcomb Terrain Park.


January 28. Welcome to the “White Room.” Riding pow on Whistler Mountain.


February 1. Good times at the Blackcomb Tube Park.


February 7. WinterPRIDE hits Whistler for a week of events, parties and the giant ski/walk parade.


February 14. Horse-drawn sleigh ride for Valentine’s Day? Yes please.


February 19. Fresh pow and blue skies: a winning combination.


February 20. Whistler’s weekly Family Night sees a little impromptu street hockey at the Whistler Olympic Plaza.


February 23. Sigge’s P’ayakentsut is one of Whistler’s premier nordic skiing events (and the hardest one to spell).


February 28. Night falls on Whistler Village


March 4. The rooftop of the world. Few places are as inspiring as Whistler Peak on a sunny day.


March 17. It’s always a good night for fireworks.


March 23. It’s officially Après season.


March 25. Still enough snow for one more lap around Lost Lake nordic trails.


April 13. Season-ender party. The 18th annual World Ski & Snowboard Festival closes out the ski season with a free concert from Hip Hop legend Nas.Free music with 10,000 of your closest friends. What a way to cap of a great winter.

Author

Feet Banks moved to Whistler at age 12 so his parents could live the dream and ski as much as possible. He ended up living it too. After leaving home Feet did a few good stints in warmer climates and 4 years of writing school before returning to the mountains to make ski movies, hammer out a journalism career and avoid the 9-5 lifestyle as long as possible. He’s been a hay farmer, a hole digger, a magazine editor and has a jump named after him on Blackcomb Mountain, Feet’s Air. It’s tiny.