In order to freeze the motion of this skier as he flys through the air, I used a fast shutter speed.
Camera settings – 100 ISO, F/5.6, 200mm @ 1/1600 sec.
Tuckerman Ravine.
On the shoulders of New Hampshire’s Mount Washington rests one of my favorite places in all of the Granite State. For the past five years I’ve made a pilgrimage into Tuckerman Ravine to photograph the immense head wall of the ravine bathed in the pink-orange of alpenglow.
This year I wanted to capture something a little different.
Tucks is a must visit destination for extreme skiers from throughout New England. People will drive great distances to ski the infamous runs, The Ice Fall, Hillmans Highway, and Lobster Claw to name but a few. All of the routes are steep, with some sections as steep as 55°, skiing the head wall of Tuckerman is not for the faint of heart or the novice.
This is no lift serviced ski resort either, for that there is Wildcat just up the road from the trail head. To ski Tuckerman Ravine requires dedication and a lot of effort. All skiers must carry their gear up the Tuckerman Ravine trail, with the first stop the Hermit Lake shelter, and then another .7 miles into the base of the bowl, for a total of about 3 miles.
Once in the bowl is when the real work begins.
Skiers must then climb up the very steep walls of the ravine, often climbing the very run they will ski down, in order to earn their turns.
As for the skier in the first photo? Six skiers flung themselves off The Ice Fall while I was there enjoying the sun and the action. Two stuck the landing, skiing down to the roar of the crowd.
The rest, well for them it went something more like this…
For all the face plants, yard sales, and ass over tea kettle cartwheeling action, all those with less than perfect landings skied away with nothing but bruised egos and the adoration and cheers of the crowd below.
Jeff Sinon Photography 
I love skiing, but this wouldn’t be something I’d try. You really nailed that first shot, with an eye-catching background and the shadow of the skier.
janet
Same here, I used to be an avid skier but there is no way in hell I’d drop off that frozen waterfall.
Great shots….It seems to take a bit of effort just to make the photographs, let alone ski it. Cheers
You have no idea. The route I took to get a shot overlooking the ravine is longer, steeper, and in the winter much less traveled. It was a hell of a morning getting to where I photographed the skier from. On top of that I forgot sunscreen and burned the hell out of my face and neck. Won’t make that mistake again.
awesome capture
Thanks!
As always, your captures are incredible Jeff!
Thanks a lot Kirt!
Amazing stuff, I do like the first one lots and the shadow just makes the picture sing.
Thanks, I knew as soon as the first skier took the leap that in order for the photo to really work I needed a good shadow.
Incredible and well caught. I can’t believe there are so many people who want to do that!
Me either! Especially when there is a perfectly good and fully lift serviced ski area two minutes past the trail head.
These shots remind me so much of the Alaska Goldrush hopefuls who had to lug (literally) tons of stuff up the Whitepass in the Yukon to get to the gold in Alaska. These skiiers got off easy, with just their gear. Also, my father used to tell me stories of growing up in Vancouver and going skiing on the local mountains before there were any ski lifts. He had to literally climb the mountain before he skied down. I doubt our local mountains are quite the same as these ones, but I now have an even better appreciation of what he went through, and what the modern extreme skiiers do to get in their rides. I’ve always assumed that most of them get flown in to remote areas to ski, and that they have the runs to themselves. These photos and the accompanying stories have shown otherwise. I’m so glad you included the information on the survival rate of at least those 6 skiiers.
The things people will do for excitement 🙂
I’ve never been skiing and I’ve never seen that much real snow, it is amazing, it looks like fun. Love your photos Jeff.
Thanks Leanne. If there’s one thing we had plenty of this winter it was snow!
right on keep da’ sunny side up! Q 😎
Great capture, Jeff and glad the others were able to ski away. Amazed at the conga line of people walking up the mountain, looks like a huge ego trip for those involved 🙂 and always it’s the photographer who carts his/her gear up there to take the shot who is also in an extreme position and no-one gets their photo do they? Would love to have seen where you were 🙂
Thanks! I’ll have to see if I have a photo that shows where I was sitting. You’re right, I was hauling a ton of gear, including a new lens I was dying to try out. When it comes to hiking and backpacking I’m definitely not a weight weeny obsessed with carrying the lightest possible load.
Love to see the photo.
those guys are crazy! did you jump after you enjoyed the view and the sun?!? 😛
Yes they are, and hell no! I’d like to think I’m pretty adventurous, but throwing myself off a frozen cliff is not one of those adventures.
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😉
Your first shot is amazing. I am fascinated at the bravery since I cannot imagine doing it!
Jane, you’re not the only one! I used to be an avid skier, and at my best I would t have the bravery to throw myself off that ice fall. The pictures don’t come close to conveying how high that drop and how steep the slope. You really have to be there.
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Woohoo!! I can feel the rush in my stomach!!!!
They’re freakin’ lunatics if you ask me!
My heart starts racing just watching these photos. Terrific captures. I hope that your camera survived the cold.
Mine too, Paula! I wish I were half as adventurous as these guys. As for the camera, no problems at all with it in the cold. In fact, compared to some of the temperatures I’ve photographed in the day I made these photos was warm by comparison.