by Xavier Fane

This picture here belongs to a series of images of which one of them was recently published in the “Photo Break” section of the current Crested Butte Magazine Winter issue. Although building igloos is not something I do very often (maybe once a season and usually spurred by my friend and master igloo builder Gary Dotzler) the image signifies much of what winter photography is to me: Exploration, feeling the awe and try to be somewhat creative with the tools and the elements I have at hand. In this occasion our camp was set high above the upper East River Valley and we had a full view of Mt. Crested Butte, the only beacon of civilization on our sights.

A big part of my photography is the getting out there, specially since I like to go deep into the mountains “by my own means”, without the use of motorized equipment. This schlugging of myself and my camera gear to remote locations, often enduring the elements and sometimes the frigid vacuum of the winter night seems to intensify my experience and strengthen my bond with the surroundings.

The mountains have profoundly shaped my life ever since I was a kid and photography has allowed me to express the way they deeply affect my being. There is serenity, upheaval, and above all, beauty.

You can see more of my images at xavierfane.com or on Facebook Also, if you’re interested in my Winter Photography workshops please contact the Nordic Center for more information. Next one is on Tue, February 12 (from 3-5:30pm).

About the Blogger: I’ve been a professional photographer for a long time. I started about 20 years ago working for a mountain bike publication based in Spain and since then I’ve been lucky enough to travel all over the world covering sporting events and following up many adventures both as a freelancer and also on assignment for a number of national and international publications.