Picking a winner for our monthly Hotshot contest can be tough, but this month, it was easy. This photo submitted by Brendon Fidek immediately captured our attention. It stood out for three reasons: the lighting, the composition and the use of depth of field. Taking a photo like this, especially one that includes a moving object, isn’t easy. Our judges agreed and so we were pleased to send Fidek a copy of Uncharted, the latest sled flick from Braaap Films, as a prize.
This photo was one of three awesome shots that Fidek took while snowmobiling around his hometown of Invermay, Saskatchewan. As with all the Hotshot contest winners, we caught up with Fidek via email to learn more about his history as a sledder:
How long have you been a sledder?
I’ve been snowmobiling since I was about eight or nine years old.
How did you get into it?
Family and friends introduced my family and I to snowmobiling. We’ve loved it ever since.
What was your first sled?
My first sled was a Ski-Doo Freestyle 300 that was shared with my other two siblings.
What is your current machine?
I currently ride a 2012 Ski-Doo Backcountry 600.
Describe your perfect day of sledding.
A perfect day of sledding is a bright, sunny day with lots of powder, as well as riding with my brother, cousins, family and friends.
Where do you normally ride?
I usually ride around the Yorkton, Saskatchewan, area. We know the area as well as where the “good” snow is.
Name a celebrity snowmobiler that you’d most like to ride with.
Chris Burandt would definitely be my choice of celebrity rider to ride with.
Best sledding destination in Western Canada?
Sicamous, B.C., is great!
Best sled on the market right now?
Ski-Doo Summit
Tell us more about the day you took this photo.
The day I took this photo was quite cold. My brother, two cousins and myself made our way into some sheltered areas and found plenty of untouched powder. I had planned on taking some pictures, but did not know we would find such great snow. It was a great day.
What does the sport mean to you?
Snowmobiling is just a great sport in general. It’s great seeing people have fun with it, and how people push the limits of the sport.
Remember, the Hotshot contest is still going. For the month of March, we are giving away two free Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 courses. For more info, visit our Hotshots page.
