Last season, Gretchen Bleiler traveled the globe on shred adventures and teamed up with Holga Sports by releasing two Limited Edition Gretchen Bleiler Holga Cameras.

Throughout her worldwide travels, she brought along her Holga’s and snapped pics at each destination. From California, Colorado, British Columbia and France, Gretchen’s season was packed with photo op’s in picturesque places.

Now she’s giving us a glimpse into her season as she saw it through her Holga.

Words & Photos: Gretchen Bleiler

This past winter season I took some “time off” from competition in order to give myself more of an open schedule to learn and take my riding to another level. The reason time off is in quotes is because I still competed in five major events; the Dew Tour, X Games, Grand Prix, US Open and European X Games. It was a really awesome season for me, as I feel like what I accomplished is exactly what I was looking for; a fresh perspective on why I love to compete and some real time changing the way I ride. I also got to get artsy with my HOLGA camera which I LOVE, so check out some of my shots from the season.

I live in Carlsbad, CA half the year with my husband, Chris, and our beloved dog-der, Kota. So every season begins with me moving back to Colorado for the winter. Here is a beautiful goodbye sunset and one last walk with Kota in the Eucalyptus forest.

The early season starts off riding in wintry Summit County. First we ride Copper and then we move over to Breckenridge. Here we’re walking to the mountain one cold, snowy morning to go ride some fresh pow at Copper some fresh snow. That’s Kaitlyn Farrington, Scotty Lago, and Kelly Clark.

X Games is the most high flying spectacular of the year and this year it was in 3D!!!!! So here are the halfpipe girls the night of finals, in the athlete tent at the top of the pipe, watching all the X coverage in our cool snazzy 3D glasses. Kelly Clark, Tricia Byrnes, Liesl Holtz, Susie Floros, Elena Hight, Kaitlyn Farrington and Gillian Honeyman

There is a really good reason that the X Games is always one of the most progressive contests of the season. The location of Aspen, CO and the perfection of the halfpipe. Here is Frank Well’s famed pipe, one beautiful practice day before the main event. We all sort of wished we could have competed this day because it was just so dang good….sun, warmth and perfect snow conditions.

One of my favorite trips was going catboardin’ at Chatter Creek this February with Kelly Clark, photographer Cole Barash and filmer Bob Hoste. Thanks Oakley!

We got blessed with three perfectly blue bird days and some really nice snow……but it sure was COLD. Temps dropped to -33 degrees Fahrenheit one day. Skin exposure was not allowed.

Another staple in the contest circuit is the US Open at Stratton, Vermont. This place is known for it’s “wintry mix” and we sure do get a good feel of what that is every time we come to this part of the country. Here’s a shot of Startton beginning to thaw out after a few day ice storm; it was like an icy fairy tale land.

The European X Games in Tignes, France wrapped up my “down season from contests” This was my first time competing at this event and also spending time in Tignes. It definitely felt like a European vacation. One, because of the gorgeous and dramatic setting and two, because practice was only at night, which left a lot of extra time in the day for hanging out-coffee drinking and late night activities. We also had a futuristic shower that had all sorts of water massage type settings and a radio…what more can you ask for really?

Now I’m just counting down the days to head back to Summit County to do it again, but more and better! Happy winter everyone!!

Check out more of Gretchen’s photos after the jump.