Around this time every winter, myriads of telemark skiers from across the midwest emerge from their respective hidden corners of the ski world and gather on Michigan's Upper Peninsula (U.P.).  Downwind Sports hosts the Midwest Telefest each year on the Keewenaw Peninsula, which protrudes from the U.P.'s northern shore into the middle of Lake Superior.  The Keewenaw benefits from cold lake effect snow cruising off of the Great Lake and dumping an annual snowfall of 300 plus inches on the region.  The hilly and rocky terrain retains a very unique appeal.  Many of the Telefestivalers will meet up a few days before the festival to ski at Mount Bohemia.  The rocky resort is situated at the very tip of the Keewenaw and boasts just under 1000 vertical feet.  With skiable aspects all the way around the compass there is good snow to be found often.  The terrain is steep, treed, ungroomed, and untamed.  No beginners allowed.  Most beginners don't last very long if they even try.  

The young and enthusiastic owner of Mount Bohemia, Lonie Glieberman, was eager to tell us about the new restaurant and bar at the resort.  The base area is comprised of a series of yurts and small cabins to facilitate the needs of the patrons.  The minimalist style suits the rugged nature of the resort. Which suits my style...quite well.

The glades of Mount Bohemia stretch all the way around from the peak like a long skirt.  I could have skied days on end without crossing my last path.  The trees are tight and technical, which make speed control a staple skill.  If you let the speed go to much for very long, you'll find yourself careening through the cheese grater of endless forrest.

On Friday night, the Midwest Telefest officially kicked off with a get together and a movie showing.  Naturally, they showed our latest release, Loyalty.  Hot dogs and hot action on the big screen at the Porkies resort near Silver City, Michigan.

Telefest is littered with activity for all ranges of skill level and age. Event coordinator, Ross Herr, handed out participation raffle tickets at the Marquette Backcountry race.  The sliding snowshoes are an interesting design to travel in the hill country.  The folks of Telefest had a ball learning how to use them and racing through the woods. There was also plenty of tree skiing to be had between events.  Alex, from Wisconsin, reaped the benefits of his migration north.

The apres scène on Saturday night started with a gang of folks hot tubbing at the local hotel.  After the hot tub kickstart, the evening progressed back to Porkies for a tasty dinner and live music through the night from "Frank and Da Beans".

The party was vibrant and spirits were high.  The snow was falling outside, and the energy inside reaching up to the night sky as the band rocked out into the late hours.  Smiles and ski stories were all around the room like the concert lights from the stage.  Dancing patrons chugged ice cold beers and slapped high fives until they turned on the lights and pulled the plugs out on the amps.

On Sunday the sun came out, and the powder was fresh in the trees.  We were all jacked to make the hike to the radio tower for some new lake effect snow that piled up in the high trees.

I always get my mind blown by the vast views of the Great Lake Superior.  It is such a huge forbidding ocean of nautical nightmares and shipwrecks of the past.  There are miles of pages of old stories of the tragic nature of the unforgiving lake.

However, the lake effect snow it provides was a welcome treat when coupled with the glade skiing at the Porkies.  Stumps and rocks litter the rolling hills, chock-full of snow.

The cast and crew of Downwind Sports did an excellent job hosting a fantastic event.  Ross Herr did a wonderful job stepping in for the late "Downwind Dan" Wissman who recently passed away.  His loss was devastating to the Downwind family, and I, for one, am deeply appreciative of all their handwork in the shadow of such a terrible tragedy.  They hosted the whole weekend in his honor, and I would like to say that they honored him well.  It is all about people, community and enjoying life with some people who all share the love of the telemark turn and lifestyle.  Life has ups and downs and can be punishing at times, much like the Great Lake Superior that this incredible festival calls home.  It certainly is awesome and beautiful though. Isn't it?

-J.T. Robinson