JACKSON, Wyo. — Legendary skiing publication Powder Magazine has unveiled its final issue after 49 years in circulation, and a photograph taken in the Wyoming backcountry from Teton Gravity Research (TGR) lead photographer Nic Alegre graces the cover in a subtle nod to the magazine’s debut issue back in 1972.
Powder announced in October that it would shut down the publication of its magazine, website and social media channels on Nov. 20, ending a run of nearly five decades as one of the premier outlets for skiers. Subscribers to the magazine are expected to receive the final issue of the magazine in the coming days.
“Some of the best artists in the world submit to Powder, and to get that last cover is my greatest career achievement because I know how meticulously the magazine is curated and how many other amazing images they had to choose from,” Alegre said.
The photograph for the final issue of Powder is a throwback to the magazine’s debut issue, featuring veteran skier Karl Fostvedt in midair, set in silhouette against the backdrop of a sunny sky in the Wyoming backcountry near Jackson Hole. The magazine’s design team for the final cover shot then took the imagery from the magazine’s debut edition and superimposed it behind Fostvedt, creating a stunning reference to the magazine’s early days nearly 50 years ago.
“Once we were notified this annual photo edition would be the final issue of the magazine, we knew we had to create something that would be a real tribute to Powder and its legacy,” said Powder Director of Photography David Reddick. “I dug through our archives and found the first edition of the magazine and put it next to this shot from Nic, and there was just something there that made sense. That shot from Nic had an ethereal vibe to it and felt different from the other choices. There have been some Powder covers over my tenure that were just meant to be and created themselves, and I think this is one of them.”
“We knew with the wind gusts and the sun that he would be perfectly backlit, so he just went for it, and that’s the cover shot,” said Alegre, who is based in Jackson Hole and was the first lead photographer in TGR’s history. “I’ve always had so much respect for all the athletes, photographers, designers and everyone who made Powder what it’s been for so long, and it’s an incredible honor to be featured on the cover. If an iconic magazine like Powder is going to go out, I’m glad to have the honor of the last cover shot. I just hope I did the magazine justice.”
Alegre’s shot was taken in February during the filming of the TGR film Make Believe. Alegre, Fostvedt, skier Kai Jones and TGR director and co-founder Todd Jones had largely wrapped filming for the day before Fostvedt noticed the wind kicking up and creating a surreal backdrop of sun and snow, and Fostved asked Alegre if he wanted to try one more shot before ending the day.
