The Ski Blog

Getting the shot - how to capture the action

There are generally two ways of getting a good action shot.

The first is to set yourself up in a place with a great vantage point, and let things play out in front of you. The other is to communicate directly with an athlete, so that you can work together on getting a shot, which was the case here.

It had been snowing for 3 days straight in Aspen, and the snow was deep. That morning I thought about not even bringing my camera, because it would get in the way of some great riding. Then realized I would also be missing out on some cool shots, so I stuffed it in the pack and headed out.

Visibility on the mountain wasn't great because the snow was still coming down (not that I was complaining), but you can always count on visibility in the trees. Which also provides a unique kind of light as opposed to open areas. So we rode around in the tress for a while until we found a nice open area with deep untouched powder. I went down first and instructed Jordan where to ride and where to turn in order to get a solid shot. This is the outcome.....

See more of Rob's work at Rob Hammer Photography

Short client list: Nike, Under Armour, Reebok, Adidas, Foot Locker, Fox Sports.

Short list of athletes: Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Russell Westbrook, Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Von Miller.

Five reasons to love Courchevel in Spring

Clare from Ski Magic shares her top tips for spring skiing in the Three Valleys area of France.

Late season is a great time to visit the Three Valleys.

Anyone who has skied back down to resort after a beautiful day on the slopes with a long shadow following their every turn will agree! Here are our reasons to love Spring skiing:

1) From February, the lifts will start opening for longer which of course means even more time on the hill AND even more value from your lift pass! 

2) The Courchevel Valley is lucky to have a North-facing aspect which, in combination with the high altitude ensures that the snow stays in lovely condition and means that the resort can stay open until late: 24th April this year.

3) The snowpack generally continues to freeze overnight which means that the amazing piste maintenance team can groom the slopes back to corduroy ready for the opening of the lifts. We can’t get enough of that fast and fun morning skiing on seductively smooth slopes. 

4) With a little forward planning, you can follow the sun around during the day: as the sun starts to soften the pistes, you can enjoy really getting onto those edges and practising your carving technique. Feel that exhilaration from skiing those wide, flattering slopes that makes the Three Valleys so famous!

5) The Spring sunshine also means lingering longer over a cool beer or vin chaud on the terrace of a mountain restaurant, overlooking the stunning scenery of the mountains as the sun lowers in the sky. Would you rather be anywhere else on earth?

There are still have a few spaces left for this season in some of Ski Magic's gorgeous chalets in La Tania in the Courchevel valley.  La Tania stays open until 24th April. Prices start from just £349 for a catered week in one of their lovely chalets. For more information see their properties on Chalets Direct or go to the Ski Magic availability & booking page.