The Second Annual Telemark Ski and Freeride Festival at Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, presented by Tough Guy Productions, is Feb. 18-22.

This four-day event will showcase snow safety courses, parties and big mountain ski competitions.

Join in the action at the Keyhole Classic Feb. 19, when some of the best competitors will rip down Keyhole Slope (one of Alpine’s signature advanced descents) for a chance to qualify for the final. Skiers will be judged on line choice, control, fluidity, technique and aggressiveness. The top 10 finalists will go on to compete in the Big Mountain Final on Feb. 20, with only one chance to fight for the title of “Freeride Champion.”

An awards ceremony and party will follow, complete with a slide show, music and prizes. Awards will be given for the top telemark skiers, top junior skiers, and the “Big Sack award” will be given to the competitor who showed the most guts.

Aside from intensity and speed, safety will be a big theme at the festival. Guests will have the chance to attend a free snow safety course on Feb. 19, taught by Alpine Meadows Ski Patrol. Skiers and riders can put those mountain safety skills to the test in the Uphill/Downhill Avy Savvy Race on Feb. 21. Two transceivers will be buried in a simulated avalanche zone, and the first male and female to race down and recover a buried transceiver will win.

The Estelle Bowl Challenge is the final competition, on Feb. 21. This top-to-bottom big mountain race is open to snowboarders, alpine and telemark skiers. Three sets of wide-spread gates will be placed on the mountain, and competitors will be scored on style and time. The festival will finish with an awards ceremony to name the winners of the Uphill/Downhill race as well as the Estelle Bowl Challenge.

For additional event information or to register, click here.