1/1

Peter Buchar and Stephanie Sloan in their waterproof, windproof and color matched birthday suits.

ONE SHOT

2 min

Winter Heat

The ‘bare-it-all’ photo that defined an era.

Words by

John Crawford-Currie

Photos by

Felix S:t Clair-Renard

An inspiring photo if there ever was one — this classic image contains all the elements of the renegade punk ski culture that defined the era of hot-dog skiing.

In 1974, soon-to-be-legendary photographer Felix S:t Clair-Renard went to a freestyle camp in Les Deux Alpes, France, with some fellow Swedish skiers and met up with freestyle skiing pioneers from the US. Impressed and inspired by the innovation, energy and camaraderie they experienced, S:t Clair-Renard and his friends immediately arranged another camp, this time at the tiny Swedish mountain station Låktatjåkko — four hours north of the arctic circle and accessible only by train, followed by a three-hour hike.

But what Låktatjåkko lacked in accessibility, it made up for with vast mountain ranges and a never-setting sun. Kicker jumps were built, beer was drunk (we presume), and early converts Peter Buchar and Stephanie Sloan (later three-time world freestyle champion) took one giant leap into the future of skiing, wearing denim shorts and not much more.

A signed copy of Claire-Renard’s photo recently set a record price at a Fine Art auction at Stockholm’s Auktionsverk.

Felix S:t Clair-Renard is a Swedish ski photographer, often credited for having invented the actual profession. He started in banking but soon got fed up and headed for Chamonix, where his career took off. Felix has been everywhere, done everything and seen it all. He has skied with legends, photographed royals and is well known for his quirky personal style and impeccable nose for trends. His innovative images, entrepreneurial savvy, quirky style, intellectual approach, and adventurous achievements have made him a true legend in the industry.

Ice Ice Baby!

Winter Heat

Go Big — Redefined