It’s no secret that the Great Lakes region can get socked in with snow. Those cold winds come screaming in from Canada and the western region, blow over top of the massive hot tub that is Lake Superior and Lake Michigan and poof, magic happens. Now, truth be told, it doesn’t happen all winter long, but when it does it’s damn good!
I’m still amazed when I run into “skiers” or “snowboarders” that tell me they’re bored with riding in Michigan. The runs are short, the snow is terrible, [insert your own excuse]. That type of excuse-driven attitude will always be met with a bold response such as “come with me and we’ll make sure you have a good time – now you’ve got to be willing to work for it, but we’ll make sure you have a good time.”
Thinking back on the Great Lakes surf scene and when that really started to amp up. What started as somewhat of an underground movement has shifted into an entire culture of third-coast lifestyle. Skiing pow in the Midwest is no different, you just have to work for it. We’re out here hiking and earning turns in search of the same thing.
Out here, there’s no lifts spinning and no crowds to fight. It’s the solitude that can only be found in the cold winter months exploring the woods.
With that, I leave you with the good words from fellow pow seeker, Collin, who put this edit together from last season in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and I hope to see you out there.
Superior.
North of nowhere, the greatest lake on Earth rules its domain. Each winter arctic gales stream south and meet the warm humid air of the lake. These storms create the world’s most powerful lake effect snows.
The vast wilderness surrounding the lake receive more snowfall than many western mountain ranges. The quiet trees see more wolves here than people. Hidden behind thickets of alders and willows lie some of the deepest ski stashes in North America.
Few find them, those who do never forget.