| About
the Bear Valley Telemark Festival |
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The Bear Valley Telemark Festival is the largest and most celebrated freeheel event on the West Coast! Come experience the thrills of telemark skiing during 3 days of education, festivities and community. It doesn't matter if you are new or wise to the freeheel ways; all ages and abilities are welcome.
Bear Valley is tucked high in the Central Sierra Nevada above 7000 feet and is the ideal location to host this unique and inspiring event. Skiing ability doesn't matter, so come experience what the freeheelers have been raving about for years and check out the 13th Annual Bear Valley Telemark Festival on February 6-8, 2009!
HISTORY:
The first BVTF was held in 1997 out
of a rented house when fourteen people attended and three
MAS telemark instructors were on hand to teach, clinic, cook, clean and
entertain. The groups camaraderie fueled an energy that made the days
seem to pass seamlessly and effortlessly. At the end of the weekend we
were exhausted but inspired, so we decided to host another festival the
following year.
Well the Bear Valley Telemark Festival hasn't slowed
down and now is one of the premier telemark ski events in
the country. For many people the festival serves as a centerpiece
of the winter season. We view the festival as a time to gather
and celebrate in the spirit of freeheel skiing.
Today the Bear Valley Telemark Festival welcomes around
250 freeheel skiers over three days. This event is truly the highlight of
the MAS winter season and we look forward to seeing many old and new
friends each year. We hope you can join us during the Bear Valley Telemark Festival.
Cheers to The Freeheelers,
MAS
February 6-8, 2009 -
Join MAS for the 13th Annual Bear Valley Telemark Festival for three days of technical clinics, free-skiing adventures, live music, banquets, demos, backcountry
skiing, tons of prizes and of course lots of fun. Pre-registration is strongly recommended
as many events sell out. All attendees receive an event t-shirt and discounted lift tickets for $40* (save $19!). Discounted lift tickets are only available to those attending festival events. All other events such as food are open to all folks.
Festival Events:
Packages:
Friday - All-Day Telemark Workshops ($85)
9:30 AM - 3:30 PM (Beginning-Expert)
Spend a full day learning from
the best instructors in the business! These all day telemark workshops
begin with a warm-up run before splitting into groups of similar skiing ability (no more than 8 per group). Instructors will focus on skills appropriate for the group and provide valuable personal feedback. After
lunch groups switch instructors and continue until
3:30 PM.
Friday Freeheel Adventure ($20)
10 AM - 12:30 PM (Intermedate-Expert)
Interested in simply skiing with fellow freeheelers and exploring the goods of Bear Valley Mountain? Well that's what we are offering. Each morning of the festival, groups will assemble with local skiers and hit the slopes in search of primo snow and hanging with new and old comrades.
Friday Apres-Ski & "All-You-Can-Stuff Pizza & Salad Bar" ($15)
Relax and unwind with other festival participants at the new Sky High Pizza & Pub centrally located in the Bear Valley Village. The bar opens at 4 PM with drink specials and food is served between 6-8 PM. Vegetarian and vegan options too!
Saturday Events: Saturday is the big day which hosts two 2-hour
telemark clinics, ski and boot demos, free-skiing adventures, costume contest & prizes. Saturday's clinic topics and schedule.
Instructional Intensive: ($75)
A deluxe day with two 2-hour Telemark Clinics including Demos and Costume Contest
50/50 Festival Fun ($50)
Participate in one 2-hour Telemark Clinic with extra time for Demos, "Freeheel Adventures" and Costume Contest if you catch the spirit.
Saturday Freeheel Adventures ($30)
Interested in simply skiing with fellow freeheelers and exploring the goods of Bear Valley Mountain? Well that's what this offering is all about. Assemble with local skiers in the morning and afternoon and hit the slopes in search of primo snow and exploring the resort. Demo pass included.
Demo Pass ($20)
Keep it simple and take advantage of the numerous demo ski and boot opportunities.
Costume Parade & Contest (FREE for all festival participants)
Strut your stuff and express your freeheel freedom and creativity. Prizes will be awarded based on audience appreciation.
Saturday "Home Run" 4 PM: (FREE)
Strong intermediate
skiers and above are welcome to join festival instructors at the top of the mountain for a group / guided ski run
back to the Bear Valley Village (conditions permitting).
Saturday Evening Banquet: $40
This is the biggest telemark ski party of the year and not to be missed. New this year will be an upscale dinner (chicken picata & eggplant parmesan) in the Cathedral Lounge at the Bear Valley Lodge. After dinner dream to an inspiring multi-media presentation before launching into the monstrous give away with more prizes than you can shake "half a binding" at! Then the party shifts gears for live music and dancing down the hall at the Sky High Pizza & Pub!
Sunday Backcountry Tour: $75
Spend a memorable day in the backcountry with professional guides in search of the best snow while learning valuable skills and enjoying the company of other telemark enthusiasts. All participants need to be at the festival site at the ski area by 9 AM. Trailhead shuttle buses leave the ski area at 9 AM and you can expect to return between 3:30 - 4 PM.
Sunday Telemark Clinics: $45 (2 hours) / $75 (4 hours)
2 hour group lessons
start at 10 AM and 1 PM. Groups will
be divided into skiing abilities and limited to 8 students
per 1 instructor. Don't
miss this golden opportunity to keep improving your telemark skills.
Sunday - Freeheel Adventures ($20)
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Intermedate-Expert)
Interested in simply skiing with fellow freeheelers and exploring the goods of Bear Valley Mountain? Well that's what we are offering. Each morning of the festival, groups will assemble with local skiers and hit the slopes in search of primo snow and hanging with new and old comrades.
Premium Festival Package: ($265)
All events, all weekend plus friday and saturday night dinner. Does not include lift tickets.
Standard Festival Package: ($175)
All Saturday & Sunday events, t-shirt, and Saturday Banquet. Does not include lift tickets.
| Friday - February 6, 2009 |
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8 AM |
Registration opens at festival site (Bear Valley Mountain) |
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9:30 AM - 12:30 PM |
All-Day Telemark Workshops |
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10 AM - 12:30 AM |
Freeheel Adventure |
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1:30 - 3:30 PM |
All-Day Telemark Workshops |
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4-6 PM |
Apres Ski at Sky High Pizza & Pub in Bear Valley |
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6-8 PM |
"All U Can Stuff Pizza & Salad" at Sky High Pizza & Pub |
| Saturday - February 7, 2009 |
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8 AM |
Registration opens at festival site (Bear Valley Mountain) |
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8:30 AM |
Snowcat Tour (AM)  |
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9:30 AM |
Instructional Clinics (Group A) |
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9:45 AM |
Instructional Clinics (Group B) |
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10 AM |
Freeheel Adventures |
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12:30 |
Snowcat Tour (PM) |
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12:45 PM |
Costume Parade & Contest |
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1:15 PM |
Instructional Clinics (Group A) |
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1:30 PM |
Instructional Clinics (Group B) |
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1:45 PM |
Freeheel Adventures |
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4 PM |
"Home Run" back to Bear Valley meets at top of mountain (Kuma Chairlift) |
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5:30 PM |
Banquet festivities begin in the Cathedral Lounge at the Bear Valley Lodge |
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6:30 PM |
Banquet dinner served |
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7:30 PM |
Slide show |
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8 PM |
Monstrous Prize Give Away |
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9-12 PM |
Live music and dancing at Sky HIgh Pizza & Pub (open to the public) |
| Sunday - February 8th, 2009 |
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8 AM |
Registration opens at festival site (Bear Valley Mountain) |
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8:30 AM |
Backcountry Tour groups assemble & organize |
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9 AM |
Backcountry Tour shuttle buses depart from ski area |
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9:45 AM |
Instructional Clinics |
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10 AM |
Freeheel Adventures |
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12:45 PM |
Instructional Clinics |
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1 PM |
Freeheel Adventures |
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3:30 - 4 PM |
Backcountry Tour shuttle buses return to ski resort |
| Festival
Media Articles |
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| Festival
Carpooling |
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| Interested in sharing a ride with fellow festival goers? Just contact us and we will send you the password. |
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| Festival
T-Shirt Design Contest |
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Congratulations to Aaron Burr for winning this year's t-shirt design contest and receiving a Premium Festival Package ($250 value). Thank you to those who submitted a design and we happily are offering you a 10% discount on all festival events. |
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| Festival
Registration |
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All registrations should go through either our Online
Registration Form or mail/fax a PDF registration form. Due to the high volume,
no event registrations can be taken over the phone or else we would
never get a chance to go skiing. If you would prefer a "pen & paper" mode of registration contact us and we will mail or fax you a registration form.
These company's contribute generously to the festival. Please visit and support these folks.
| Festival
PDF Downloads |
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