Nick Yates Photos

Classic powder on 1st May at the Grands Montets Chamonix. I particularly like how the snow enveloping Jim resembles a hand from an outstretched forearm. Incredibly light powder after this late season storm. 

World Cup Downhill mountain biking at Fort William Scotland. Total concentration required on this world renowned track. The track starts on the open hillside before heading into the trees on the lower half.

Porsche GT3 racing as a support race for F1 in Singapore. A misjudged breaking point results in a lock up and its associated cloud of tyre smoke.

Steep ski on tricky snow on the Aiguille de l'Eboulement Chamonix France. After a night in a hut and an early start we are rewarded with a great and somewhat challenging ski. Jim's experience with the camera shows as he skis a great line.

Mid way through the qualification race riders continue to fight as positions on the grid are up for grabs. Competitors having to contend with large amounts of dirt being thrown at them from the riders in front is only one of the many aspects of this sport that makes things exciting for the spectator. A great ambience from the Portuguese crowds adds to the spectacle.

Kayaking in Voss Norway. Fair size drop dealt with easily due to high skill levels. Not all of the contestants negotiated these falls with the same control.

Ski touring up the Argentiere basin Chamonix France. With many options available on either side of the glacier there is much fun to be had - climbing or skiing - in this part of the world. The right side of the valley in particular is home to some classic steep ski descents. 

Golfing at Black Mountain Golf Club in Thailand as rain approaches. My little brother Simon still knows how to swing it. Although relatively new Black Mountain is a regular venue on the European Tour and is establishing itself as a stand out course in Asia.

Great conditions and skiing on the classic North East face of the Courtes in Chamonix France. Jim charges through the flutings as he rips down the face. The days of short turns on these big faces are over. Having slept in the top cable car station the boys got an early start thus enabling a descent in sunshine. This is a rare occurrence on this slope.

A winter storm hits Gwithian in Cornwall England. At this stage of big winds and small sails only the best of the sailors remain. Truly inspiring to watch.

Great conditions on the back of the Grands Montets Chamonix France. Once again the 1st May throws up some incredible snow. In these conditions there is nowhere quite like the back of the Grands Montets. Can't quite see Jim's face but I feel sure there is a wide grin on it.

Track dries out after rain at the Singapore Grand Prix. With a proximity of only a few feet at certain points of the track you really get the full Formula One experience in Singapore. I like the minimal reflection left in one of the few remaining puddles.

Asmus finishing the final pitches of the Cosmiques Arrete in Chamonix France. The final pitches swing out onto North facing slopes with their increased exposure. Twenty minutes later however finds you on a platfrom at the top of the Aiguille du Midi ready to take the cable car home.

Chris Froome enjoys his victory laps on the final day of the 2015 Tour in Paris. Torential rain earlier in the day kept the crowds away allowing me to get close to the action. The yellow bike was a nice touch.

Having fun on world famous Teahupoo wave in Tahiti. Having got lucky by picking up a hitcher who turned out to be Tahiti's top surfer he very kindly sorted me out with a boat to visit this most amazing place. Despite the wave being only small to medium on that particular day visiting Teahupoo is magical.

World Cup Downhill mountain biking Fort William Scotland. A rider attacks the top part of the course with ample speed and great precision.

Enjoying good snow near the bottom of the Argentiere glacier Chamonix France. Deep snow cushions Jim's landing as he takes a little air off the rock. It may not be possible to get this picture in future due to the rapid retreat if the glacier.

Near the top of a route as the wind picks up in the French Alps. Spindrift produced by an increasing wind can turn things very cold very fast. Don't let the sun fool you!

Another classic end of season day in Chamonix France. On its day the backside of the Grand Montets is almost unbeatable. It is a massive expanse of mountain with countless routes to the valley ready to be explored.

Course preparation gets under way as the sun rises over Black Mountain golf course. Beautifully peaceful time of day before the course opens to the many tourists from all over the world who play here.

Kayaking in Voss Norway. Being used to Scottish rivers coloured with peat I was stuck by how clear the river water was in Norway.

A Lotus closely followed by a Red Bull jumps the kerbs during final qualifying at the Singapore Grand Prix. Great to watch as the drivers push themselves and their cars to the limit reaching the highest speeds of the weekend.

Climbing the Aiguille de l'Eboulement in Chamonix France. Ben follows the track made by those above as I take this shot from a runnel left by falling snow. Best to try and avoid this on the ski down.

More powder in the French Alps. This shot was taken on the front face of the Grands Montets which also offers some classic skiing.

Great surroundings on the Aiguillette d'Argentiere in Chamonix with Mont Blanc as a backdrop. Keith, not known for his shyness, was very keen to get this image quickly in order to post it on social media and in his own words 'keep his public happy'. Thank you to Jessamy for holding his rope.

Night Slalom at Les Planards in Chamonix. These guys know what they are doing. The precision and speed is phenomenal. Always great to see athletes at the top of their game.

World Championship Motocross Portuguese leg. Everybody searches for the ideal line out of the first corner. Some incredibly close wheel to wheel action as they exit the turn. Brave and very strong athletes. 

Jim and Ben on the summit of Aiguille de Argentiere with les Grands Jorasses on the skyline. Midway through a great day in the hills in this fantastic playground. A big ski still to come followed by more skinning before a final ski descent back to the Chamonix valley.

Huge bravery as the first rider hits the jump and hopes for enough speed to clear the road and find the steep landing area. Hats off to this rider as being the guinea pig in these situations comes with big consequences. 

A solitary surfer heads out looking for a perfect wave on the Isle of Col in Scotland. Having made the effort to get here we were rewarded by having this magical beach to ourselves. A combination of wind and sea state led to some great fun.

Ben makes his first turns on the Barbi face from the summit of the Aiguille de Argentiere Chamonix France. Friends who went to ski the face the following day informed us that the whole thing had avalanched from the top of the 3000ft face. Just goes to show the underlying danger inherent to this type os skiing.

Electric motorsport hits the streets of central Paris. Lots of preparation is required as the streets around The Invalides are lined with concrete and metal barriers. Watching motorsport without engine noise seems strange but a great spectacle nevertheless.

Three climbers gradually ascend this serac laden slope. Approaching a snow bridge they must also always be alert to the dangers of avalanche from above. Unfortunately in the event of an avalanche you are generally at the mercy of the mountain without an abundance of options to help yourself. This is the chance you take to experience these amazing landscapes.

Teeing it up. The easy bit.

Weather makes life interesting for Asmus at a belay point. At least his gear performed as it should keeping him warm and dry.

Weather hold as rain shower passes jump site in Voss Norway. After waiting patiently for the shower to pass this guy just stepped casually off the edge. Being one of the original jumpers at this site experience was definitely not lacking.

Asmus making a fun turn above a small glacial lake on the Vallee Blanche in Chamonix at the very end of the season. Beautiful as the water looked a fall here would have led to a very cold dip and a possible difficult exit from the lake. Luckily Asmus is too good for that.

Big turns in great snow. Jim lets his skis go and the radius of his turns increase on this stunning morning. Making the most of these bluebird powder days is a must as they don't come along very often.

More fun at Teapuhoo Tahiti. A large helping of white lip protector accentuates this guys smile which is pretty large in its own right. Seeing this wave on a big day must be mind-blowing.

Nate skis fast on the glacier while trying to avoid the holes. Speed is your friend. Definitely quicker coming down than climbing up. Great to see how insignificant we are in these mountain environments.

A narrow gully on Braeriach in the Cairngorms Scotland on June 1st. Thanks to Sean for taking this shot as I made a few turns down this narrow slither of snow. Falling here would not have been great due to a dogleg in the gully just out of shot. Great day out.

Big winds and waves hit Gwithian in Cornwall England. Winds upward of 45 knots create some exciting sailing. Only the brave remain.

A peaceful moonlit decent of the Vallee Blanche in Chamonix France. The Dent de Geant sits proudly on the skyline under a very starry sky. Thanks to Tim for his statuesque pose throughout this long exposure.

Never tire of snow like this. Jim finds yet more good snow on the Grands Montets in Chamonix. Due to increased uplift on the hill finding fresh snow like this is becoming increasing difficult. 

Leaving the exit point as wingsuiter prepares to fly in Voss Norway. the Red Bull helmet is a giveaway that this guy is also not lacking in experience.

Competition sport climbing in Chamonix France during a stop of the world tour. This guy climbed further than most which is not surprising when you see his physic.

Anticipation fills the bridge at the Aiguille du Midi after a late season storm early in May. Jim and friends discuss options for the day amidst scenery more befitting a January morning as the mist clears.

A helicopter flies in majestic scenery. It is certainly a quick way to access some incredible terrain.