What do you like to do on a winter’s morning before work?

You might reply, going to the gym, taking a walk, a run or meditation. Whatever you choose you choose it because it makes you feel good, inspires you, energises you and motivates you.

For me, during winter, it is the sunrise and the promise of its light display that inspires me to extract myself from the warmth of my feather duvet at 5.30 am. Avoiding the biting cold, it is a rapid transition from rest to action as I as I wrap myself in ski clothes, grab my ski gear, a bag of nuts and a drink of water.

Driving from town the landscape is dark and void of people as I wind my way on gritted roads up to Coronet Peak.

Parking the car I fit my ski boots, check I have safety equipment (head torch and red flashing back light) and click into my skis. The upward journey begins. The fingertips burn, the breathing gets quicker, the legs feel heavy, the heart pounds and the darkness lifts. Onwards and upwards.

The fingertips warm, the breathing becomes regular, the legs adjust, and the heart still pounds. The sun’s rays reveal details of familiar mountains that were previously shrouded in darkness. Clouds are exposed in muted pinks, oranges, purples and blues as they are warmed to life.

On the Coronet of the Peak it is still, my breathing calms, my heartbeat softens and the light dances.

I point the camera at the landscape hoping to capture at least some of the fleeting magic for later.

This is my motivation, inspiration and energy. This is my morning before work.

Below the town begins to stir; traffic increases, people hurry to work, shops open, school starts and I feel work call. Reluctantly, I make a few quick adjustments to skis and clothing and prepare to embrace the downhill ski into the day ahead.