Cover Story: The Pinnacle

by The Editors November 19, 2014 Leave a Comment

In our 20th Anniversary Issue, we speak with editors, art directors, photo editors and contributing photographers past and present about their favorite covers from our first 100 issues. Here’s an excerpt from the conversations with former Photo Editor Simon Peterson.

“To me this photo represents the pinnacle of backcountry skiing: climbing to the top of a mountain or couloir and skiing down in deep powder with aesthetic mountains in the background. It showcases a photographer and athlete unknown outside of their local community, climbing and skiing powder under their own power, sans hoopla, which makes it more inviting and attainable to readers. Therefore, to me, it depicts the essence and integrity of what inspires Backcountry Magazine and Couloir and the sport of backcountry skiing in general. It’s not about who’s skiing or what kind of gear they’re on, it’s about place and powder via human power. The photo couldn’t “just be anywhere” and it’s not “just a turn.” The composition gives the viewer a feel for the location and a smell of the atmosphere created by deep powder and blowing snow with jagged rock spires as a backdrop.” —Simon Peterson, Photo Editor, 2008-2012

March 2009 Skier: Chelan Babineau-z Location: Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho Photo: Luke Rice

March 2009
Skier: Chelan Babineau-z
Location: Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho
Photo: Luke Rice

Filed Under: Stories Tagged With: Cover Story, Throwback Thursday

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