Keeping the dream alive and strong since 2002.
Here’s the edit from the sixth Midwest Meet at Mount Bohemia, MI. We had 14 riders from 7 states – some as far as West Virginia and Pennsylvania!
It’s always hard to decide what to keep and what to and what to cut. Here are just some of the highlights from another awesome trip!
We’ll be headed back to Bohemia toward the end of February. Join us if you can!
Check out the latest videos from the Electric Snail video crew, featuring RVL*8 rider Jack Schmid and friends.
A week ago we kicked off the sixth annual Midwest Meet at Mount Bohemia in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The event has been steadily growing each year and we were stoked to welcome five newcomers who crushed it from the start!
This year we didn’t quite get the powder we’ve been used to, but we still had a great time with great people. 14 skiboarders attended and we turned a lot of heads riding as such a big group at a mountain that only sees a flock of us a couple times each year.
The first day started off with a little rain, but by the time we reached the mountain things had cleared off. Conditions were crunchy in the morning, but softened up really nicely providing us with a beautiful spring-like day. After the lifts closed we took a break before heading to the Bohemia-provided dinner – we were told they were chicken fajitas, but we coined the term fauxjitas. After dinner we wrapped up the evening with a trip into Calumet to visit our local skiboard buddy / bar tender.
The second day started off pretty icy from the overnight mist and light rain. Some of us may have slipped on the way to breakfast that morning. The temperature steadily decreased throughout the day, so things were much more slick than we’re used to, but we didn’t let that hold us back. We stopped by the bar in Calumet on the way to Houghton and had a group dinner at Joey’s Seafood & Grill. They were out of the infamous chocolate cake, but lots of temporary tattoos were provided as a condolence. By the end of the night several arms, necks and faces were branded with schools of fish. Fish lyfe!
We woke up to a couple inches of fresh snow to cover up the ice and bare spots. The new snow seemed to soften things up in some spots, but only camouflaged the rocks and ice in other spots. After some more riding, everyone left with high spirits and great memories.
Looks like fun, right? A group of us will be headed back within a month or two. We’re still figuring out the timing, but if you’re interested, chime in and let us know when works for you – you won’t regret it!
Watch for the video coming within a week or so in case you need further convincing, but who would want to miss out on sitting on this cool log with all of us?
We’ve seen skiboards being used for polar bear research and snowbikes, but here’s a new one: snowscoots!
A French company has created quattro snow scooters using RVL*8 Bantam skiboards! This approach provides riders with a fun snow riding experience that is easy to learn. Watch them shred up the mountain:
The couch surfers around me are slowly waking up one at a time. Two of them appear in their early 20’s and are speaking to each other in German, I can’t understand them but I know they are talking about skiing. The camper they just purchased is parked out front ready for them to take off to backcountry ski BC after the New Years Eve party this communal house in Vancouver is throwing.
The night before everyone was sitting around trying to get over the awkwardness of sitting in a room with a dozen people you just met 10 minutes ago. “How many people live here?” One of the German asks the room, unsure of who actually is living here and who is a couch surfer. A guy with his hood pulled over his head and red glazed eyes from smoking bong hits all night starts counting on his fingers. “6.. I think, maybe 7” he answers. He was unable to remember all the names of the room mates, but assuring us he was one of the people living here.
I’ve been checking snow reports multiple times a day, hoping that it would be worth it for me to head up to one of the North Shore Vancouver mountains. The start of the season has been slow, and I’ve only manage to skiboard a hot minute while passing thru Colorado, and one washed out day in Whistler, not much of a skiboard tour yet. With some convincing, maybe the Germans have a seat for me to the Kootenays, where snow is plenty and I can continue on my way on my winter long back packing skiboard tour.
Follow more of my skiboard travels on fox-trotting.tumblr.com
Yurts, bunk beds, and Michigan aren’t the first things that come to mind when most people think about an epic ski vacation, but for some people, they are. It’s something you have to experience first hand to fully understand.
Mount Bohemia is a unique destination to say the least. It’s located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, more than 4 hours from the closest metro area. It’s quite a trek for most people to get there, and finding it is another issue with most GPS units sending people to someplace that isn’t at all a ski hill. Still, distance doesn’t stop people from saying Mount Bohemia is their favorite place to ride.
If you spend a day at Bohemia, you’ll start to see why it is loved by so many. Last season brought more than 350 inches of snow thanks to the mountain’s ideal location on the Keweenaw Peninsula which is completely surrounded by Lake Superior. Unlike the snow at most ski hills, Bohemia’s snow is all natural powder, all the time. The best part is, you don’t have to be there on a powder day to find the good stuff. The 500+ acre ski area is never groomed, and most of it is made up of glades that help keep powder stashes intact for days or even weeks.
If the powder isn’t enough to put a smile on your face, the people will be. The mountain has a small town culture unlike anything I’ve experienced at any other ski resort. People don’t care who you are or what you ride, they’re just stoked to share a common experience with you. People look out for and support each other in a way that would make you think they’ve known each other for years, even if they just met.
Six years ago, my vision of an amazing ski trip was redefined, but I wasn’t the only one. Some have even said Mount Bohemia ruined them – other places aren’t nearly as fun anymore. The more you dig, the more you find that Bohemia is a special place to many. To see what I mean, check out the Powder Magazine Ski Town Throwdown. Mount Bohemia has outed several well known resorts including Jay Peak, Killington and Stowe/Smugglers’ Notch.
If you’re ready to mix up your winter vacation, join us January 23 – 25 for the 2015 Midwest Meet. There are carpools from the Minneapolis, Green Bay and Detroit areas, and at $99 for a season pass, you can’t beat the price!
By March 2014, the cold winter eventually froze over Lake Superior, putting an end to the epic snowfall. Subzero temperatures didn’t hold us back. Check out the great time we had while still finding powder stashes and things to throw ourselves off of.
Music:
Doomtree – Team the Best Team
P.O.S. – Wanted/Wasted featuring Astronautalis (Swiss Andy Remix)
Thanks:
To everyone who has ever joined us out in this snow covered middle of nowhere.
George & Friends
http://www.SkiboardsOnline.com/
http://www.RVL8skiboards.com/
Lake Superior
Joey’s
The footage from Midwest Meet 5 at Mount Bohemia has been compiled, and here’s the resulting edit. Tons of snow, 11 skiboarders and 3 days made for 1 great trip.
BNUFF from brandon enouf on Vimeo.
Brandon Enouf getting back to basics at Mammoth Mountain California with RVL*8 Skiboards.
B Lyfe EP3 from RVL8 Skiboards on Vimeo.
