Blog

Early Mornings

info@markgribbon.com — 2010-03-02T14:52:13-08:00

The Olympics are over and they finished off with probably the best hockey game I have ever seen in my life. I have to admit that I wasn’t all that excited coming into the Olympics, the way I saw it is there is always a party in Whistler, how much better can this be? The feeling and vibe that the games brought to town was something that I have never seen before, and it really was a remarkable experience. Thanks to all the athletes, volunteers and people that made it what it was you made Canada proud.

Now I am excited to get back to early mornings in the backcountry.

ARIES 2010

info@markgribbon.com — 2010-02-14T19:54:33-08:00

Last night I shot a photo booth gig at the Boardroom. It was for the launch of ARIES 2010 which is archiving some of the history of snowboarding. Over the last year Trevor Graves has been collecting pieces from a bunch of different people that were involved in the beginning of the sport. The range of gear, images, trophies and prototypes can’t even begin to be explained, it really is a remarkable collection of snowboarding culture. Dano showed some photos from the early days of his career and explained a little of Canada’s history in the snowboard world. He then introduced Terry Kidwell, with his invention of the kick tail and his skateboard style we can pretty much thank him for freestyle snowboarding. If you ever get a chance to view the collection don’t pass it up.

Kidwell quiver.

Images from the ages.

Boots from the beginning to now.

Johnny Opens the Olympics

info@markgribbon.com — 2010-02-14T19:41:07-08:00

The 2010 Olympics opened a couple days ago, and to kick it off they put together a nice piece of video showing some free riding in B.C.’s beautiful backcountry, and then had Johnny drop in at B.C. place to a packed house. Here is a little article Colin did with Johnny explaining how he ended up being that guy.

Johnny Lyall with loads of style!

Pemberton Ice Cap

info@markgribbon.com — 2010-02-10T14:27:08-08:00

Spent the day up the Pemberton Ice cap with a crew from Alterna Films, the sun was shining the snow was great and the boys were going off!

Which one should we hit?

Back In The Mountains

info@markgribbon.com — 2010-02-07T19:33:48-08:00

There has not been many updates around here lately due to the fact that I have been healing from an injury I picked up this fall. But as of yesterday I got the go ahead to get back at it. So I went snowmobiling with some friends up the Pemberton Valley. The conditions were amazing, and above all else it just felt great to be back in the mountains again, you can expect to see some more photos and info coming out of here. The camera didn’t come out to often yesterday but here’s a couple from the day.

Tyler Blair

Justin Davies

King Snow Interview

info@markgribbon.com — 2010-01-05T21:44:29-08:00

King Snow came out strong with their first issue a couple months ago, recently Eric Greene asked me a couple questions for their website. Check it out when you have a minute.

Eric Greene, Kootenays 2009

Whistler Creek Production Stock Photo Site Is Live!

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-12-05T14:58:52-08:00

Last night was the 3rd annual Whistler Creek Productions film festival party. It is always a good time, they had Matt the Alien playing, a photo booth set up, and they auctioned off a couple prints from their roster of photographers. It also marked the launch of their new stock photo site that is up and running.

If you want to produce something in the mountains call these guys!

Stu Andrews & Shin Campos

Photo Booth Madness!

Whistler Arts Council Slide Show

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-11-20T22:45:59-08:00

The Whistler Arts Council is running a little competition for photographers in the Sea to Sky Corridor to display their work during the Olympics. You were asked to put together a two minute slide show of nothing but winter action shots. Here is my entry put to some music by Deer Tick, I am all about their music these days.

8 MILE Prints

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-11-11T15:01:41-08:00

The boys over at 8 Mile had thier premier in Vancouver a couple nights ago and it just snowed in Whistler with the mountain opening on Saturday. So the next set of pics for the print sale are shred heavy and all of the 8 mile crew. If you see one you like just go to the print sale page and put the riders name into the paypal box and tell me what size you would like. They make a great christmas present and its for a good cause.

Kale Stephens

Johnny Lyall

Gaetan Chanut

Benji Ritchie

November Print Sale

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-11-05T15:33:42-08:00

November has recently been changed to Movember; where men across the world are growing mustache’s for prostate cancer awareness. Recently a member of my family survived prostate cancer thanks to a talented physician. I have decided to run a sale on prints for this month, with proceeds being donated to Prostate Cancer Canada. The first batch of images are up there now and I will be changing them up throughout the month. Stop by and have a look around to see if there is something you like.

Snowboard Canada Fall 2009

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-10-23T11:24:42-07:00

The newest issue of Snowboard Canada just hit the stands with an article that Feet and I worked on last winter where we traveled to some abandoned mining towns in the interior of British Columbia. It was a great time with a great crew, make sure you hit your local shop and grab a copy before they are all gone.

Some Photos that didn’t make the article.

Eric Greene

Helen Schettini

Justin VanDerPoelen

Justin Davies

V.D.P. Snowstyle Cover-November Issue

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-10-20T19:41:08-07:00

Just received the latest issue of Snowstyle from Japan today, and was stoked to see my shot of Justin on the cover. We shot this last winter during the photo shoot out at Island Lake Lodge. It was a first for both of us snagging this cover but Justin is a strong rider with lots of style so I am sure you will see lots more stuff popping up from him in the future.

History

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-10-15T19:13:10-07:00

I recently returned home from a trip to the Ottawa Valley where I was born and raised. The valley holds a soft spot in my heart that will never change. I had a lot of “first’s” there, to many to mention, and I look forward to my visits each time with family and friends. On my way out of town I had a chance to sneak a peak at Dano’s new book that he published with Westbeach that talks about the history of Canadian snowboarding. It got me thinking about when I started riding with my friends back in the valley. Mostly we hiked a hill that was behind a convent in Pembroke and one year we dug a three foot high halfpipe out of the snow for about fifty feet just to try a couple tricks like the ones we saw in the magazines. But on the weekends we would make the trek over to Mont Chilly that was in Laurentians and ride all four of their runs. The good times were plenty at Mont Chilly along with the riding they had the best hotdogs and you were almost guaranteed a run in with the locals. You see they sure didn’t like the boys from Ontario coming over with those new snow-slider things scraping all the snow off the hill. It is always hard to leave the valley but as I looked out the window when I was flying over the Rockies I remembered when Kevin, Dan and I saw them together for the first time. Our noses were glued to the window all the way to Vancouver dreaming of all the lines we would have,and since then that stoke hasn’t changed a bit. The snow is on the way....

Mont Chilly

Rockies

Almost home

New Galleries

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-10-14T16:42:32-07:00

Click the links to check out my new galleries.

I have the best friends...

I live in a beautiful place...

and the snow is on the way!

Vice Guide to Whistler

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-09-25T09:25:43-07:00

One of the things I enjoy most about being a photographer is that you never know what you could be shooting on any given day. One day you could be shooting yoga in the mountains for a client and the next some figure skaters inside a hotel. A couple years back Vice decided to put out a guide to Whistler and asked Feet Banks to write a column for it. I got the call to come along for the trip to the local sewage treatment plant to get to the bottom of why it is that when you see the "Welcome to Whistler" sign, the first thing you smell is not the beautiful mountain air but the stench of the plant.
Check out the full article and some other pics.

The wall of fame at the Whistler Sewage Treatment Plant.

Wheel

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-09-19T20:25:58-07:00

A wheel nothing more nothing less...........

A Million Little Pictures

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-09-08T13:59:46-07:00

I took part in a project over the summer called "A Million Little Pictures" where a 1000 artists were given a disposable camera and asked to document their lives. It was fun having the little disposable by my side and deciding which moments I wanted to add to the roll. That's the thing with film, it makes you slow down think about the shot and wether it is worthy of the film or not. Well the little disposable turns out blurry, poorly exposed photos, the moments and memories were all golden.

Naps

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-09-05T22:09:27-07:00

I have started a new routine with the onset of fall. I am taking a daily nap. I have never been one to indulge before as it just didn't seem right sleeping during the day when you could be out enjoying the sun having fun. I know some cultures and people live by the mid day nap, and with the extra time I have on my hands right now I think I am going to follow their lead.

Snowboard Canada

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-08-28T12:42:02-07:00

The new issue of Snowboard Canada is out with this shot of Benji Ritchie in the contact section. I always like going out with new crews in the backcountry because everyone looks at the features so differently. This time was my first time out with Benji and the 8 mile crew this past season, and over the two days we got some of my favorite shots of last season.

Benji Ritchie

As well on the dropping next page, we have Martin Gallant sledding into one of my favorite backcountry spots in Whistler. This day the avy danger was through the roof, but with Martin's years of backcountry experience we managed to bag a couple keepers, hopefully we will be seeing them pop up somewhere soon.

Martin Gallant

Random

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-08-17T13:24:20-07:00

A couple random shots from the past couple of weeks.

Squamish Valley

Miniature Horse

O'Keefe Ranch

Savona B.C.

Vinyl Ritchie

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-08-13T15:56:32-07:00

Vinyl Ritchie is old school. He plays small records, rides big skateboards, and is not afraid to speak his mind on the mic on any given night. It seems though he is starting to finally accept the digital world, you are not going to
find him playing MP3's anytime soon, but he did launch a website.

Heavy Hitting Films

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-08-11T09:59:58-07:00

The boys at Heavy Hitting Films are making the call out early this year for entries to this years Horror Festival. Since 2002 this festival has been growing and has quickly become the film festival of the year usually selling out in minutes. Past winners include the talents of Lauren Graham and Stu Mackay Smith amongst others. Nudity, gore, pillow fights, amongst slashing have all been known to gain the judges attention. This year Whistler Creek Productions has joined on to produce the festival, as well as a best of DVD collection from past years. So if you are into zombies, mutants, vampires or anything close to that check out the rules and regulations and start shooting it could be your year to win the coveted skull trophy.

Pilar Peterson

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-08-04T14:46:50-07:00

The weather has been nothing short of amazing, however all this great weather does have a downfall. Right now in B.C. there are over 119 wild fires burning in the province. Pilar is one of those people on the front line, or you could say hanging by a line. She works for Rapattack, which is a small crew that uses helicopters to rappel into remote areas to attack the fires that have been started by lightning. They are usually first on the scene and either contain the fire immediately or prep the area so the helicopters can bring in extra crews and equipment. I haven't seen Pilar in a while because she has been out saving the forest, but I know come winter time I am sure I will run into her on a chair somewhere.

Thanks Pilar

Summertime!

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-07-30T16:25:39-07:00

I am back from a little fishing trip to the island, the weather in B.C. has been amazing and looks like it is going to keep up for a while. The contest was over pretty quick and if you haven't received an email from me saying you won, well better luck next time. But for the lucky 10 that did the prints will be mailed out next week. They are saying that its a El Nino year and it seems to be shaping up like the last one which will hopefully bring a bunch of snow this winter, and really who are we trying to kid, they want to hold an Olympic downhill in Whistler in February you can guarantee its going to be dumping.

I am heading back to the lake.

Guess the Rider

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-07-25T10:16:03-07:00

Its been far to long since i have posted something, I have been enjoying the summer and trying to stay away from the computer as much as possible. But I have decided to run a little contest, so the first ten people who contact me and correctly answer who the rider is in the photo below will win a print of him doing what he does best. You should be able to tell from his sponsor list but I will give you a hint that today is his birthday.

V.D.P.

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-06-19T15:47:06-07:00

Every year you plan out your season, where you are going, what you are going to do there and with whom. Sometimes things don't work out as planned. Its understandable people change their minds, things come up, one trip looks like more fun then the other, blah blah blah I could go on forever with the excuses I have heard. Justin was the go to guy for me this year. He was involved with every trip, catalogue, and contest I did this winter, and usually stepped in when someone else backed out, with a smile and a great attitude. I could go on about his fourteen hour solo drives to make it to the spot, hiking it one more time because my flash didn't go off, or I just wasn't happy with it. But instead if you want to get to know him better you should check out his new blog, because he has some great stories and even better rants.

Go Skateboarding Day

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-06-04T21:01:36-07:00

Go Skateboarding Day is this month, the Vancouver festivities should be amazing and are funding a great cause.

Whistler B.C.

G9

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-05-19T16:27:56-07:00

My favorite camera went down the other day while on a fishing trip, it served me well over the last 10 months, here are some shots from its adventures.
Vancouver

Priestess

Golfers lie.

Calgary

Lenny doesn't like when you put funny outfits on his dog.

The beginning of the recession.

Vancouver Aquarium

Campers Paradise

Glacier Washington

Fernie B.C.

Island Lake Lodge B.C.

Carts of Darkness wins a Leo Award

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-05-12T14:40:55-07:00

Murray Siple and his crew recently won a Leo Award for their Documentary Carts of Darkness. If you haven't seen the film yet you have been missing out, but thanks to the NFB of Canada you can watch it below.

Daniel Stubbs

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-05-03T18:44:51-07:00

Daniel Stubbs is one of the new up and coming riders coming out of the W.V.S.C. and is no stranger to sending it. After going down pretty hard the first thing he said to me after walking back up was that he couldn't believe with the amount of abuse he has inflicted on his board that he hasn't snapped it yet this season, I guess that why they won the good wood award.

Daniel Stubbs

8 Mile

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-04-16T15:50:08-07:00

The conditions around here have been all time as of late, i just spent the last couple of days with the 8 MILE crew sledding and shredding,The Grenade Games are starting next week and the list of riders looks impressive to say the least.

Johnny Lyall out running one.

Pemberton B.C.

Links

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-04-10T14:23:05-07:00

I have added a new link belonging to the talented artist Alison Hodson. She has found a way to combine her photography with the use of fabric and come out with something fresh and unique.

Spring is in full force here.

Chris Charlebois.

Island Lake Lodge Photo Shoot Out

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-04-05T09:48:40-07:00

I was invited to compete in the 2nd Annual Island Lake Lodge Photo Shoot out this year. The contest consisted of nine photographers with three athletes each shooting for three days at Island Lake Lodge and Powder Cowboy Catskiing operations in the Lizard Range outside of Fernie B.C. My team was stacked with talented riders Martin Gallant, Helen Schetini and Justin Van Der Poelen. We were fortunate enough to have amazing conditions and share our cat with two other great crews and their photographers Dave Best and Alex Geisbrecht. In the end we won best overall portfolio and walked away with the grand prize. Here is a slideshow of our images from those days and you can check out everyones submissions here.

ODDS AND ENDS from an UNUSUAL LIFE

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-03-19T10:41:31-07:00

Lately Dano has been on a tear. Between his blog the book he is about to release and his upcoming show this weekend at Blake Jorgenson's Gallery who knows what he is going to do next. If you're in town stop by and check it out and stay for the after party with two of Canada' s best, "Vinyl Ritchie" and his all 45's set, and the Alien and his next level turntable skills.

Justin Ormiston

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-03-10T17:33:08-07:00

Stopped by Justin Ormiston's shop today, he was starting a piece on a young lady. We talked a bit about his process and what it includes, the time and effort he puts into his work is inspiring. He recently did a graphic for Prior Snowboards that you can check out on his blog.

Martin Gallant

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-03-01T00:33:10-08:00

For a couple weeks now Martin Gallant and I have been trying to hook up for a day of shooting. Finally the stars aligned and we had a couple feet of fresh and some sun, so far the best snow i have seen all season. The first frame i ever shot of him still is one of my favorite photos, and as a photo editor at sbc once said to me " I don't think i would ever get tired of seeing Martin snowboarding". He's got style for miles.

Kootenays

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-02-24T09:42:28-08:00

Just got back from a fun trip to the Kootenays with this crew.

Getting ready to test the virgin gap.

Helen Schetini Getting hers.

Jordan Glasser Crossfit Whistler

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-02-20T11:39:13-08:00

Had a portrait session with Jordan the other day, his views on a healthy lifestyle are quite interesting.

Whistler Valley Snowboard Club

info@markgribbon.com — 2009-01-26T20:41:19-08:00

I just spent the last couple of days shooting with the Whistler Valley Snowboard Club in the Blackcomb park. From what i have seen Rob Picard and Joe McAdoo along with their team of talented coaches have been priming the next generation of up and coming riders to come out of Whistler and people are starting to take notice.

Kyle Thomas

Fitz Pub

info@markgribbon.com — 2008-12-07T14:14:02-08:00

I recently put together a limited edition selection of prints to hang at the Fitz Pub in Whistler, stop by for a pint and check them out after your day shredding on Blackcomb.

Whistler Creek Productions Annual Film Festival Party

info@markgribbon.com — 2008-12-04T09:34:10-08:00

Tomorrow night is the Whistler Creek Productions Film Festival Party at the Firerock Lounge. There will be an auction of prints from their roster of photographers, as well they will be showing the best of the best from previous entries to the B-Grade Horror Fest.
Check It!

Kevin Dagenais

info@markgribbon.com — 2008-11-26T10:30:07-08:00

One of the things i feel i have been blessed with in life is amazing friends. Kevin was one of those people, he was talented at anything he pursued,art,skateboarding,snowboarding it didn't matter he could do it. I could go on all day with stories about Dagenais, he was just that kind of guy, biggest smile,biggest heart.
We miss you bud.

Kevin Dagenais
R.I.P.
1975-2000
If you have a story about Kev leave a comment. I would love to hear them.

King of S.N.O.W.

info@markgribbon.com — 2008-11-24T11:23:59-08:00

The crew at Playboard sent this to me the other day, i think it is a great opportunity for the little shredder form Pembroke or any other small town from around the world to get a chance to be noticed for their skills.

Click for more details.

Dave Barnes Open Season

info@markgribbon.com — 2008-11-08T16:06:25-08:00

For the past couple of months Dave Barnes has been hiding away in Sooke preparing for his upcoming show. The exhibit is called Open Season and will feature all new work from this talented artist, the opening night is at El Kartel on the 15th at 9 pm , trust me you wont want to miss this one.

First Snow of the Year and Prints.

info@markgribbon.com — 2008-11-06T15:40:39-08:00

Well it happened today, the first snow in the valley, it was awesome to wake up to and everyone in town had a smile on their face and a snowball in hand. As well i have started organizing my personal archive, and just in time for the holiday season you can now purchase prints from it. So have a click below and a look around let me know if anything interests you or if there is something else you want to see added.

Heavy Hitting B-Grade Horror Fest

info@markgribbon.com — 2008-10-28T13:55:02-07:00

It has been quite some time since i have made a post here at O.K. LISTEN I have just been super busy with some projects lately that will be showing up around here in the weeks to come. It is one of my favorite times of year here in Whistler, the leaves are changing, the first couple dustings of snow are happening up high, and it is time for Halloween and the B-Grade Horror Fest. The festival is the brain child of Feet and Chili of Heavy Hitting Films, and in it's seventh year it has grown into" the" festival in Whistler selling out this year in a record five minutes. Past winners have included the beautiful and talented Lauren Graham as well as entries from the twisted mind of SMackay Smith. Here is a entry from a few years back that dano, Robbie and I put together. Hope you enjoy the Classic Terror In The Shitter!

Terror in The Shitter from mark gribbon on Vimeo.

Lake Kipawa

info@markgribbon.com — 2008-09-21T23:12:55-07:00

Made the yearly visit home to visit my family and friends. I had a great time, one of the highlights was seeing all my friends with their own families now. Here are a couple shots from the weekend out at Lake Kipawa.

Claim

info@markgribbon.com — 2008-09-13T12:37:58-07:00

Tomorrow is premier night of the new M.S.P. movie Claim in Whistler it should be one of the best of the season as those boys always put out a top notch product. Here are a couple photos from my days with them this winter and a link to the teaser at the bottom.

Petit and Johnson "Claiming"

The mad man Sean Petit.

Check the teaser here "CLAIM" the greatest ski movie of all time!

Dave Barnes S.B.C. Interview

info@markgribbon.com — 2008-09-11T10:11:36-07:00

The Snowboard Canada Buyers Guide has been out for a while, if you haven't seen it you should grab one before they are all gone. It has all the new gear some great photos and a interesting article on Dave Barnes and his latest work.

Photoshelter

info@markgribbon.com — 2008-08-25T15:36:46-07:00

So i recently have been trying to find different avenues for my photography, one of the new roads i am going down is a service called Photoshelter. It is a service where you can search their archives for your stock photo needs. I am stoked to be accepted and plan on adding many more images, so you can keep checking in on my widget on facebook or myspace, and as always right here in "O.K. LISTEN"

River of Golden Dreams

info@markgribbon.com — 2008-08-19T15:02:54-07:00

Sunrise on the River of Golden Dreams.

Pemberton Fest

info@markgribbon.com — 2008-08-04T09:45:49-07:00

So the dust has finally settled after the Pemberton Music Festival and some are claiming a huge success while others are claiming a huge pain in the ass. I personally did not experience any problems, the only line up i waited in was to get beer and i saw some amazing new acts and some old friends that never cease to amaze me. One of the coolest things was seeing one of my childhood friends playing in front of 40,000 people. Dave Nugent is the guitarist for Sam Roberts and they killed it!

The Barn Dance Stage housed all the local acts, Brian Carson of Wicked Lester threw down a set that brought out the savages.

Not to be out done Feet Banks played his first public set to a crowd of a couple thousand people rocking out classic hair metal with the occasional rant.

One of my favorite local bands finished up the day in the Barn Dance tent The Fall Of Summer and it was only fitting seeing as this is their backyard.