Banff Mountain Photography Competition 2003

"During a recent trip to southeastern Switzerland, I was able to spend a few days in Davos, home of the Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research. This organization conducts studies as close as on the neighbouring peak, where these avalanche barriers have been built to restrain tens of feet of annual snowfall. Though still relatively snow-free in this mid-February picture, they will fill quickly; Davos has experienced high snowfall in recent winters. In Switzerland as well as other alpine countries, the growth of communities is expanding the limits of development."

Swiss photographer François Portmann has called New York City home for over a decade and spends most of his time on the road, shooting assignments in mountains, deserts and urban-jungle locations. Combining portraiture, the photography of people in action, and editorial skills with his skiing, mountaineering and backcountry experience, he focuses on adventure, outdoor-lifestyle and travel photography. As a freelancer, he contributes to the slick pages of magazines such as Ski, Skiing, Bicycling, Mountain Bike, S.I.Kids, 2-ZERO and to other cutting-edge publications both domestic and European-based. His roster of clients also includes Red Bull, Philip Morris and Swiss Airlines.
www.fotoportmann.com