The Making of the Girdwood Segment from “The Way I See It” by Matchstick Productions

Author: Chris Owens

Here’s an inside look at the making of the Cody Townsend and Henrick Windstedt Girdwood, Alaska segment filmed with Chugach Powder Guides / EpicQuest in Girdwood, Alaska. If You haven’t seen it yet, be sure to grab a copy of “The Way I See It”, by Matchstick Productions.


Go to skimovie.bnqt.com for more videos.

Salomon Freeski TV – The Battle of Alaska Continues

Author: Chris Owens

Cody Townsend and Henrik Windstedt continue their epic battle in AK…

Salomon Freeski TV – The Battle of Alaska, Episode 1

Author: Chris Owens

Check out Cody Townsend and Henrik Windstedt battling it out in Girdwood, AK. It’s always great to work with the Salomon crew.

15 Years of partnership with Alyeska Resort

Author: Chris Owens

As we prepare for our 15th operating season in the Western Chugach, we can’t help but reflect on the amazing path we’ve traveled to get where we are today. While the skiing to be found in our expansive terrain really speaks for itself, it’s the combination of world class heli skiing and the options afforded to our guests by the incomparable Alyeska Resort that truly makes our our heli ski experience unmatchable.

From the very beginning, Alyeska has been our strongest supporter and an irreplaceable part of our guest experience. When you come to see us, you’ll be staying in what is easily the nicest hotel in the state of Alaska.  The Hotel Alyeska combines a truly top level lodging experience and amenities with a classic ski lodge environment that is perfect four our guests.  This is a far cry from the lodging found in other Alaskan Each guest stays in a deluxe room with beautiful views of the Chugach Range. Amenities include room service, in-room coffee makers, safes, refrigerators, robes and slippers. A state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor pool, sauna and whirlpool aid recovery after a big day. Four on-site restaurants serve up creative dishes prepared with fresh Alaska ingredients and breathtaking views.  The Sakura and Sushi bar have recently been remodeled for a great social setting to relax with friends and enjoy some of the best sushi you’ve ever had.

Perhaps more important than the top quality lodging is the fact that Alyeska Resort is the only ski resort in the mythical Chugach Range.  With a  60 person tram at the back door, our guests have access to the famed “North Face” for ridiculously good powder skiing on “No-Fly” days.  Add this to the fact that our private snowcat skiing departs  150 yards away from the tram breezeway and our in-hotel sales and information desk, and we have a winning combination of options that have made the Alyeska based heli ski program world famous.

After 15 years we’re happy to say that the relationship with Alyeska Resort is stronger than ever.  In fact, Alyeska will be offering a special at their spa this season for EpicQuest guests.  So after that big day in the Chugach, check into the spa and get the muscles loosened up so you can slay it again tomorrow!

Special offer at The Spa at Alyeska
Book two massages or other treatments and save 15% off
Spa Reservations: 907-754-2550
Spa Email: spa@alyeskaresort.com
Fine Print: Valid on services valued at $125 or more. Offer must be redeemed by guest on reservation. Expires April 24, 2011.
Link: http://www.alyeskaresort.com/hotel/alaska-spa.aspx

As always, we wish to thank Alyeska for supporting us for 15 years and helping to create one of the best ski experiences in the world.  Here’s looking forward to continued delivery of powder dreams.

Shoot Alaska like a pro with Scott Markewitz

Author: Chris Owens

Shoot Alaska like a pro with Scott Markewitz.

If you’ve picked up a ski or snowboard magazine in the last 20 years, the chances are, you have one of Scott Markewitzs’ images burned into your memory. For a professional  photographer like Scott , the ability to capture world class images requires a combination of vision, skill and being in the right place at the right time.

Scott Markewitz and EpicQuest have joined forces to bring those elements together and teach you how to shoot skiing and snowboarding in the big mountains of Alaska just like you’ve always seen in your favorite magazines. In addition, we’ve brought some other key players to the table to stack the deck and give you an experience that not only teaches you how to get the images, but also how to approach the scene safely and what photo editors seek when they review photos for publication.

The Team:

Scott Markewitz:

Scott Markewitz is recognized as one of the most influential outdoor photographers in the industry. His images have appeared on more than 400 US and International magazine covers, including Powder, Ski, Skiing, Outside, Men’s Journal, Bike, Mountain Bike, Bicycling, and Runner’s World, and in advertising campaigns for most major ski and outdoor brands. He first came to Alaska in 1992 and has returned almost every season since then to capture images of the best skiers and snowboarders in the world pushing their limits on the most incredible terrain on the planet.

Scott was featured in Men’s Journal as one of the World’s Greatest Adventure Photographers. He is the only photographer in Ski Magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential Skiers of All Time and the 2000 recipient of Ski Utah’s Excellence in Journalism Award. His images have also received awards from APA, PDN, and The Spider Awards.

Scott will teach you how to get the most out of your camera in the mountains of Alaska. You will work on skills for shooting on slope, from the air and from remote (Barbie) peaks. You’ll learn how to shoot when the weather and light are perfect and how to capture imagery when it’s snowing or when Mother Nature dishes out less than ideal conditions.


David Reddick:

David Reddick is the Photo Editor and Staff Photographer at Powder Magazine and Bike Magazine and has been with these titles since 1992. His job involves collaborations with many of the world’s best action and adventure photographers, weaving their work through the pages of two of the finer titles in action sports.

A world renowned photographer himself, David’s images have left readers awed and inspired for more than 2 decades. In his role as Photo Editor for Powder Magazine, David sifts through thousands of photographs every year selecting only the most riveting and engaging for publication.

David will work with the group to help you understand what a top end photo editor looks for in images that ultimately provide impact and feed the enthusiasm for the readers of Powder Magazine. He’ll also teach you the common mistakes that are bound to send promising images to the circular file.

Jim Conway (The Sarge):

Jim Conway is Lead Guide at EpicQuest’s, Chugach Powder Guides operation in Girdwood , Alaska. Jim is one of the most experienced Heli-Ski guides in Alaska dating all the way back to the 1991 where he competed in the first World Extreme Skiing Championships. Jim continued coming back to Alaska pioneering many of Valdez’s notable first descents while working with the likes of TGR, Warren Miller, and Rap films. In 1994, Jim turned his passion for the mountains and technical engineering background into career in guiding film crews and clients into Alaska’s wealth of ski and snowboard terrain. In 1999 Jim became the Lead Guide for Teton Gravity Research, accompanying the world’s best ski and snowboard athletes into the world’s most challenging terrain.

Jim quite possibly has more experience than any other guide in the world with putting photographers and cinematographers in the right spot to capture perfect images while assuring their safety. Jim will work with the group on balancing the desire to shoot impactful photos with real world safety concerns in the mountains and around helicopters.

The program:

This one of a kind experience will focus on teaching you about ski and snowboard photography through access to the worlds best professionals while experiencing the best skiing or snowboarding you’ve ever done in your life. The Chugach Range has been the subject of photographic passion for good reason. Not only does the Chugach provide some of the greatest photographic opportunities in the world, it provides fantastic skiing for the shooter.

This experience will have only 8 participants and a private A-Star B-3 helicopter. This will allow the group ultimate flexibility to travel the range in search of the best photographic setups and opportunities. Participants will not only shoot in this amazing playground, but will also serve as subjects, so you will be sure to finish the week with some great photos of yourself in this amazing terrain.

Cost:

Single Occupancy: $12,200

Double Occupancy: $11,350

This package includes:

  • Up to 7 days of heliskiing in a private A-Star B-3 helicopter (10.5 hours of helicopter time for the group)
  • 8 nights deluxe accommodations at the Hotel Alyeska
  • Snowcat backup on weather days (learn to shoot in a snow storm)
  • Alyeska Resort lift tickets
  • Group dinners every night (Alcohol not included)
  • Lunch on heliski or snowcat days
  • Instruction from Scott Markewitz, David Reddick and Jim Conway
  • Round Trip transportation from Anchorage International Airport
  • Use of Mammut Pulse Barryvox transceiver

Video from Stian Hagen and Chris Davenport

Author: Chris Owens

Stian Hagen and Chris Davenport put this video together fro their personal cameras while on location with us in Girdwood for the Warren Miller film, “Wintervention”.  Check it out!

Ak from Stian Hagen on Vimeo.

New EpicQuest Ski / Snowboard video

Author: Chris Owens

Check out the latest winter sports promo video from EpicQuest.  Thanks to Dirk Collins and Marni Walsh for putting this together for us.