French Alps skiing and photography

Neil Mansfield

Every year in March I go skiing to the French Alps. A little break and excuse to use my skis and boots in a wonderful location high in the mountains.

In previous years I haven’t taken a “big” camera. Usually, I manage with my phone. My Samsung Note8 is great for sharing on IG, but for printing, it really isn’t much good. So for the first time since I started skiing about 15 years ago, I packed a Canon 5d2. I didn’t want to risk damaging a 5D4, so I settled for an older workhorse, with a 70-200mm 2.8 lens.

We stay in La Rosiere, which from a skiing perspective is a resort on the opposite side of the mountain to the well known Les Arcs. The huge upside of La Rosiere (apart from its height on the mountain) is the way the runs are set-up. It offers a rare opportunity to cross the border (via a lengthy drag lift) into the Italian Alps.

Weather

The weather for the week before was mostly sunny. However, our forecast was mostly snow and wow, did it deliver. 150cm of snow fell whilst we were there which made the skiing conditions exceptional. However, the visibily was not always great. Never one to complain about the ski conditions you are given were certainly made the most of it, exploring La Rosieres new red runs, sitting at 2800m. I had a fairly significant wipe-out trying to be a little clever coming down one of the runs, the new sections are steeper and more demanding. It really does enhance La Rosieres reputation as a major resort competitior in the French Alps.

The volume of snow was so significant, it left a good amount of time to take a few photographs. Usually first thing in the morning. This post will evolve over the next week or so, with some words around the images I managed to take on my 5D2 in the French Alps.

Bradford Washburn

The man is a huge influence in my winter mountain photographs. A master of Black and White Photography. Hopefully, seeking to convey a little homage to the ariel photography master.