Whistler Community Rallies To Replace Deep Winter With New Event ”Uprising”

Creative agency, Origin, Fairmont Chateau Whistler and Tourism Whistler today announced the new event Uprising, a photo competition and fundraiser to fill the Deep Winter void in Whistler’s cultural calendar. The group will present a new event on February 23 at the Chateau Whistler to carry on Whistler’s proud history of showcasing creative partnerships of the valley’s photographers and athletes. Uprising expects to welcome upwards of 1,100 attendees to celebrate Whistler’s amazing talent and raise money for POW Canada.

“Deep Winter is really close to this community’s heart, and it reflects what’s special about our culture and our winters,” said Origin Principal and Creative Director Danielle Kristmanson. “We know how much the team at Whistler Blackcomb put into Deep Winter over the years, and we look forward to its return next year. In the meantime, we want to make sure the community doesn’t lose that important expression of who we are.”

In a break from tradition, Uprising’s format will showcase the generational mentorship that feeds Whistler’s mountain culture, with pros and proteges teaming up and competing for an $8,000 cash purse. The contest will feature five of Whistler’s favorite professional photographers, paired with five up-and-coming photographers. The pro-am duo will assemble their own team of athletes comprised equally of professionals and emerging stars, and then spend four weeks in January and February in Whistler-area mountains capturing and creating the ultimate slideshow and a chance to take the spotlight.

“When I reached out to Barrett Fisher at Tourism Whistler and Norm Mastalir at the Chateau, they didn’t hesitate to come to the table with really generous donations to ensure the event could come to life,” continued Kristmanson. “This is truly a community effort, and we can’t wait to celebrate everything Whistler has to offer.”

In addition to celebrating Whistler’s culture, the event will play double duty as a fundraiser for Protect Our Winters Canada. Origin is a founding partner of the organization, and the evening will feature prize draws with proceeds going to the worthy cause.

“We’re thrilled to support the reimagined Uprising because we are passionate about celebrating local Whistler talent,” said Managing Director of Fairmont Chateau Whistler Norman Mastalir. “Protect Our Winters Canada aligns really well with Fairmont Chateau Whistler’s commitment to reducing our environmental impact, so to learn proceeds would support this cause made it that much easier to jump on board.”

The change in format will reflect how Whistler’s mountain culture perpetuates itself.

“Every year, Whistler sees a new class of proteges emerge,” added Kristmanson. “Photographers chasing their first cover or contract. Athletes looking for their first sponsorship or segment. The annual arrival of these fresh talents creates an unspoken chain of mentorship. Freshmen aspire to the heights of their predecessors and icons are pushed to stay on top of their game. Uprising is a photo contest that reflects this relationship.”

To purchase tickets and learn more, please visit https://www.originoutside.com/uprising.