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Engelberg has an incredible group of talented local skiers and snowboarders. Joel Pollinger is one of the born-and-bred skiers EnanderI often work with. His style, attitude and motivation make him a great guy to have on a shoot.

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Engelberg has an incredible group of talented local skiers and snowboarders. Joel Pollinger is one of the born-and-bred skiers EnanderI often work with. His style, attitude and motivation make him a great guy to have on a shoot.

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FRAMED
6 min

A Different Vision

Renowned ski photographer Oskar Enander is color blind
Photos by
Oskar Enander
Words by
Aurelie Morrison-Gonin
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Enanders’s words about this incredible image from 2006 say it all: “I was surprised by the massive sluff set off. At first, it was almost too much, and seeing the cliff from my angle started to be challenging. Luckily, Julian (Carr) took it easy towards the edge, so the cloud settled a bit. I knew I had an extraordinary image as soon as he came flying through my frame.” The image was remarkable enough to be awarded the Photo of the Year by Powder Magazine – for the second time in Enander’s career.

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Enanders’s words about this incredible image from 2006 say it all: “I was surprised by the massive sluff set off. At first, it was almost too much, and seeing the cliff from my angle started to be challenging. Luckily, Julian (Carr) took it easy towards the edge, so the cloud settled a bit. I knew I had an extraordinary image as soon as he came flying through my frame.” The image was remarkable enough to be awarded the Photo of the Year by Powder Magazine – for the second time in Enander’s career.

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For many — it would have been a complete deal breaker — but for one of the world’s best ski photographers, it was just one of many hurdles he had to overcome in learning his chosen profession. Oskar Enander is color-blind.

When I was young, I had no idea I was seeing things differently. But my mother noticed I was mistaking colors and markers, so she ensured I got to see a specialist.”
Oskar Enander

Now at 46 and residing at the top of the competitive world of professional adventure photography, it’s evident that Enander managed to turn what many would perceive as a disability — especially for a photographer — into a strength: “Not being able to see colors properly doesn’t affect me in the snow environment, where everything is blue and white already,” he says.

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The breakthrough shot! Enander took this shot of Kalle Eriksson in 2003, and it basically started his career as a photographer. This image was awarded “Photo of the Year” in Powder, creating many opportunities for him.

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The breakthrough shot! Enander took this shot of Kalle Eriksson in 2003, and it basically started his career as a photographer. This image was awarded “Photo of the Year” in Powder, creating many opportunities for him.

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His photos are instantly recognizable and have left an indelible mark on ski imagery in recent decades. He did this by developing a unique style that was highly graphical and contrasted, most often in two-tone or even black and white. It was different and arresting, powerful and dramatic, and it got him noticed.

Like many others, Enander’s way into the ski industry kicked off in Chamonix, where he spent a winter in the late 90s, just as freeriding began to take off. In the French ski town, the Swedish native got his first taste of real ski-bum life, sharing a one-room apartment with eight other Swedes and skiing hard every day. He took some photos that winter, and even though he did not have professional ambitions then, it sparked a keen interest.

After a few years of ski bumming in the Alps and Canada, Enander decided to spend the following winter in Engelberg, Switzerland. Immediately, he felt at home in the classic Swiss resort and made friends with locals and other ski bums. During the winter of 2002/2003, his passion for photography grew, and he bought his first professional camera. One winter led to another, and although his initial plan was to go back home and study, Enander stayed and eventually made Engelberg his permanent home.

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Enander have photographed so much in Engelberg that he now has to climb into ice caves to find new angles… That is pretty much the truth. Santiago Guzman nailed the mark on the glacier.

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Enander have photographed so much in Engelberg that he now has to climb into ice caves to find new angles… That is pretty much the truth. Santiago Guzman nailed the mark on the glacier.

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Linus Archibald arrived in Engelberg shortly after Enander. He was first a ski bum for many years, but now he is a mountain guide and father and can even speak with the locals in the local dialect.

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Linus Archibald arrived in Engelberg shortly after Enander. He was first a ski bum for many years, but now he is a mountain guide and father and can even speak with the locals in the local dialect.

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Yves Hüsler is the unofficial mayor of Engelberg and one of the best snowboarders in the valley. Enander has photographed him for almost twenty years, and they always have a great time together. On a deep day, Yves rode a white wave somewhere in Steinberg.

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Yves Hüsler is the unofficial mayor of Engelberg and one of the best snowboarders in the valley. Enander has photographed him for almost twenty years, and they always have a great time together. On a deep day, Yves rode a white wave somewhere in Steinberg.

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On a cold, beautiful afternoon in March 2003, Enander took a picture that would change his life. Shot from below, with a fisheye lens, shows the Swedish skier Kalle Eriksson in the air, framed by icicles and illuminated by a low-angle backlight. Happy with the result, Enander emailed David Reddick, the director of photography at Powder Magazine, asking if he would be interested in reviewing his photos. Powder was the undisputed benchmark of ski photography then, and Enander wanted to know if his work was up to standard. Reddick responded positively, so Enander selected a sheet of slides and sent them with FedEx to Powder’s office in California.

Then, Enander waited for feedback. “In those days, we shot on film, which was expensive and precious. A big day represented four rolls of film (with 36 images per roll), and each slide was unique. Submitting them to magazines was a long and stressful process; you had to mail the slides and wait for the photo editor to send them back before submitting them further.”

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Snowflake is a local legend in Engelberg. Some years ago, this unique character became a fixture after the infamous DPS short film “Snowflake.” Henry, as his real name is, skis every day and always wears white outfits.

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Snowflake is a local legend in Engelberg. Some years ago, this unique character became a fixture after the infamous DPS short film “Snowflake.” Henry, as his real name is, skis every day and always wears white outfits.

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Johan Jonsson and Enander have skied and photographed together for almost twenty years. Over the years, the duo has enjoyed countless magical sunsets and captured many photos that have appeared in magazines worldwide.

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Johan Jonsson and Enander have skied and photographed together for almost twenty years. Over the years, the duo has enjoyed countless magical sunsets and captured many photos that have appeared in magazines worldwide.

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Enander on the home run after a good day in his office. Laub is one of Engelberg’s classic off-piste itineraries—1200 vertical meters on the north face above the town.

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Enander on the home run after a good day in his office. Laub is one of Engelberg’s classic off-piste itineraries—1200 vertical meters on the north face above the town.

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The American ex-pat Marcus Caston often visited Engelberg for photo shoots before he moved from Salt Lake City to Engelberg a few years ago. He seems to be happy with the move.

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The American ex-pat Marcus Caston often visited Engelberg for photo shoots before he moved from Salt Lake City to Engelberg a few years ago. He seems to be happy with the move.

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In the fall, he finally received an email asking if he could travel to Aspen for the Powder Awards in January 2004. It was an expensive trip for him then, so Enander declined, but Reddick insisted: “It’s important that you come,” he said, and so Enander did.

“In Aspen, I was surrounded by all the famous skiers I’d seen in films and other photographers and filmmakers. I recall being very intimidated and shy”

That evening, Enander was called up on stage to receive the finest award a ski photographer could image at the time: Powder Magazine’s “Photo of the Year.”

“It was the best start to my career I could have dreamed of; it gave me confidence and pushed me forward.”
Oskar Enander

A few weeks later, the late Jamie Pierre came to Engelberg to jump the area’s enormous cliffs, filming for a ski movie. After discovering Enander’s work at the Powder Awards, Pierre asked him to be his photographer.

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Due to the north-facing aspects, Engelberg gets very little sunlight during the first few months of each season. Enander has perfected his style for these conditions, working with minimal light and still managing to create incredible imagery. Skier: Olof Larsson

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Due to the north-facing aspects, Engelberg gets very little sunlight during the first few months of each season. Enander has perfected his style for these conditions, working with minimal light and still managing to create incredible imagery. Skier: Olof Larsson

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Engelberg is one of the most snow-sure ski places globally, partly due to the glacier slopes on Titlis and the favourable snowfalls in the region. Enander and his crew often ski bottomless powder, sometimes as early as November. Skier: Linus Archibald

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Engelberg is one of the most snow-sure ski places globally, partly due to the glacier slopes on Titlis and the favourable snowfalls in the region. Enander and his crew often ski bottomless powder, sometimes as early as November. Skier: Linus Archibald

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Laps with the hidden tram is a good alternative on stormy days when the alpine is closed. If you find it…

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Laps with the hidden tram is a good alternative on stormy days when the alpine is closed. If you find it…

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“Back then, there weren’t as many photographers as today. It was important to be in touch with well-known athletes and have your photos published in magazines so the brands would ask you to shoot their ads and campaigns.”

In the mid-2000s, Engelberg had become one of the new places where athletes, filmmakers and photographers gathered. As the classic Swiss resort slowly became a freeride Mecca in the Alps, Enander was on location, with a locals’ knowledge that is always so important, and looking for the best skiers to photograph.

“You can’t take a good picture with a bad skier; you must collaborate with the right people to create the best images.”
Oskar Enander

Rather than copying other photographers, Enander capitalized on what could have been a severe handicap and turned it into his style. He has gained significant recognition for his work, winning the Powder Magazine “Photo of the Year Award” three times. He has hundreds of cover shots to his name and has shot numerous commercial campaigns for some of the biggest brands in the ski industry.

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Enander started experimenting with drones early on, allowing him to discover new angles and keep things fresh, even if he had photographed every corner of Engelberg many times. He still brings the drone out when the conditions allow and when it is a good call. This day, he captured Sanne Mona, the manager of sensory impressions at Ski Lodge Engelberg.

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Enander started experimenting with drones early on, allowing him to discover new angles and keep things fresh, even if he had photographed every corner of Engelberg many times. He still brings the drone out when the conditions allow and when it is a good call. This day, he captured Sanne Mona, the manager of sensory impressions at Ski Lodge Engelberg.

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A classic Enandar! A shiver of light on a north-facing slope, deep powder, and the magical contrasts created when a powerful skier lays down a turn. Skier: Linus Archibald

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A classic Enandar! A shiver of light on a north-facing slope, deep powder, and the magical contrasts created when a powerful skier lays down a turn. Skier: Linus Archibald

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He credits much of his success to his surroundings. More than just a cliff zone, Engelberg is also a place where a few lifts provide access to 2,000 vertical metres (6,000 feet) of freeride terrain, mainly north-facing. This means plenty of shade and just hints of sun. This challenging environment contributed to the development of Enander’s eye and his unique style. He is known for magnifying powder turns with a touch of light through darkness, shades of blue and white, or even black and white, edited with very high contrast.

The relationship was a sweet one. Engelberg gave Enander what he needed — access to some of the best skiers in the world, fantastic snow and a stunning backdrop. And Enander gave Engleberg what it needed — a steady stream of compelling images perfectly placed in the most influential ski industry publications.

Many agree that Enander’s work elevated the image of the resort town to a degree that was not possible through traditional tourism marketing campaigns — no matter how big the budget. His photographs generated a global buzz about the big lines, deep powder, and word-of-mouth did the rest. Destination ski tourists wanted to ski where the photos had been taken — and the central Swiss resort welcomed them with open arms, seven-mile runs, and 100,000 acres of accessible terrain.

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Steinberg is the massive run directly under the Titlis Rotaircable car. After a giant snowfall, a gigantic, natural avalanche flushed the mountain at night, so it took a while before the mountain opened the next day. The skiers then had to navigate the cornice carefully, as there was a significant drop in some places.

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Steinberg is the massive run directly under the Titlis Rotaircable car. After a giant snowfall, a gigantic, natural avalanche flushed the mountain at night, so it took a while before the mountain opened the next day. The skiers then had to navigate the cornice carefully, as there was a significant drop in some places.

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Piers Solomon is another local skier Enander has worked with extensively. Solomon is a powerful and stylish skier with a good sense for good photos, so they always enjoy creating shots together.

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Piers Solomon is another local skier Enander has worked with extensively. Solomon is a powerful and stylish skier with a good sense for good photos, so they always enjoy creating shots together.

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Even though Enander have been skiing and shooting in Engelberg for over twenty years, he claims he never gets bored staring at the incredible mountains in his home valley.

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Even though Enander have been skiing and shooting in Engelberg for over twenty years, he claims he never gets bored staring at the incredible mountains in his home valley.

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With both his reputation and that of Engleberg firmly established worldwide, Enander is not one to rest on his laurels. Instead, he still gets out with local athletes to shoot on the best powder days and continues to pursue his quest for the perfect combination of action, snow, light, and shadow.

The symbiotic relationship between Enander and Engelberg represents photography at its finest, as defined by the famous French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, who said the ultimate goal is sharing our vision with others rather than simply capturing the decisive moment.

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Aurelie Morrison-Gonin is a journalist, photographer and filmmaker. She doesn’t mind getting out of her comfort zone to follow the athletes, share their adventures, take close shots of their actions and capture their emotions. Based in Chamonix, France, and Crested Butte, Colorado, Aurelie is working globally, preferably where there are some mountains.
A Different Vision
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