Eagles of Chilkat, Haines, AK from Jordan Manley Photography on Vimeo.

The morning after the Pro Photographer Showdown, the influential and remarkable big mountain skier Ingrid Backstrom called me to go to Alaska for a last minute effort to try and get some material for her ski film segment this year, and for some additional photos. I jumped at the opportunity and before I knew it I was on a plane to Whitehorse where we rented an RV and drove to Haines, Alaska. Kye Peterson, Rory Bushfield, and Eric Crossland were part of the team as well, and I was greatful to be a part of it.

::click to enlarge photos

This was my first experience in Alaska. After graduating highschool I spent a couple summers working in the Yukon doing mineral exploration and fell in love with the North, but had never made it over into Alaska. Snow conditions were variable and finding good snow was aspect dependant, but we did find (in small doses) what we were looking for. Steep line skiing in Alaska has been photographed a million times, but to me everything was new and exciting. Shooting out of the helicopter for the first time – with the doors off, strapped in circling overhead the skier charging down the line left me giddy and wanting more.

The trip was ultimately cut short due to rising temps but it was long enough to leave knowing I had experienced a truly amazing place where I plan to return to hopefully sooner than later.