2022 marks the 32 second year of celebrating Telemark skiing in the Porcupine mountains of Michigan’s U.P., the tougher penninsula. Or at least it used to be. U-ppers were known for being ornery and odd, which might explain their steadfast obsession with the turn. Or it might just be Tele fever. When you free the heel, you can ski for free and a nordic stride is the way to glide through the UP’s endless climax forests.
The festival will be held, as ever, at Porcupine Mountain Ski Area on the shores of Lake Superior – standing by to enhance incoming storms. The powder can get deep, and so do the woods. Thankfully some of the undergrowth was pruned back last October thanks to volunteers from Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
The festival kicks off with live music from New Salty Dog (from Duluth) at 8pm at the Konteka in White Pine. Saturday will be a full day with a Smelly Kneepad Super G Race which is certain to have some exciting spills (winner gets an Outlaw from FHL), a Spills, Quills, and Hills race, the obligatory uphill/downhill race, a costume contest for those who want to be anonymous while being outrageous, gear demos from Free Heel Life, and good old fashioned telesmacking through the trees. Dinner is potluck so come with a dish to pass, and finish off the night with awards and some good swag, and an acoustic jam before they roll the eyelid movies.
Sunday is for shredding the gnar for those who didn’t overdo it the day before.
Registration is simple. Show up. Ski you there.
© 2022