About the Bear Valley Telemark Festival

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 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. Bear Valley is a great ski area with a small alpine village where festival attendees get the feeling they are in the majority during the festival.

HISTORY:

The first BVTF was held in 1997 out of a rented house when 14 people attended and 3 MAS telemark instructors were on hand to teach, clinic, cook, and entertain. The group's 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.

MAS founders
Aaron Johnson & Jan Holan

Well, the Bear Valley Telemark Festival hasn't slowed down since and is now 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, celebrate and learn in the spirit of freeheel skiing.

Today the Bear Valley Telemark Festival welcomes over 250 freeheel skiers over three days. This event is 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.

THE GREEN OBJECTIVE:

As the Bear Valley Telemark Festival grows each year, so does its dedication to being a low impact event.

For example:

carpooling is encouraged with special website dedicated to get people connected
event t-shirt is made from organic cotton
name tag holders are recycled each year
all meals are served on porcelain plates and real silverware with cloth napkins
only durable or compost-able cups
dinner menus are created from primarily organic and local food items (Outer Aisle Foods)
banquet beer and wine come from sustainable providers (New Belgium)
food waste from the festival banquet composted
online registration reduces paper use

In addition:

2011 MAS joins 1% For The Planet
2011 partnered with the Winter Wild Lands Alliance
2009 banquet profits donated the Sierra Avalalnche Center
2008 banquet profits donated the Sierra Avalalnche Center
2007 banquet profits donated the Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center
2006 Patagonia promoted Common Threads Garment Recycling
2005 banquet profits donated the to Snowlands Network.
In 2005, Clif Bar Cool Tags offset 100% of festival participants carbon emmision through wind energy credits.
2004 banquet profits donated the to Snowlands Network.

As always we rely on feedback from participants, vendors and staff for green efforts. Your awareness inspires our action, and we are dedicated to improvement. Please feel free to send ideas! Thank You.

Cheers to The Freeheelers,
Aaron & Kimi

Aaron & Kimi Johnson
MAS Owners

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