Opening Day at Mount Bohemia
3 Things you can do to prevent a skiing injury
No one can prepare you for an accident. That’s why they’re called accidents. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe I could have done more to prevent it. Acceptance is the hardest part of the grieving process, and that’s exactly what I was doing at the bottom of Mount Bohemia while I waited for my VIP toboggan ride from Ski Patrol.
I was grieving the season I worked for, planned for, and moved for.
Opening Day at Mount Bohemia Different
Opening day at Mount Bohemia is not a day you can plan for. As a rugged snow sports area with no grooming, no snowmaking, and very few amenities, Bohemia relies entirely on Mother Nature to do her thing.
Typically, opening day comes after a stretch of relentless lake effect storms. The goal is just enough snow to cover the rocky face of the Keweenaw Peninsula. And only after Lonnie’s blessing do those iconic green and purple chairs start spinning.
For the 2025–26 season, Lonnie’s blessing came early. By the first week of December, nearly four feet of natural snow had fallen. Instead of their legendary $99 season pass party, Mount Bohemia celebrated with something even better. Opening day.
A Late Start and Rushed Decisions
The day did not start smoothly. The drive took longer than expected, I forgot about the switch to Eastern Time, and it was not the usual “wake up and go skiing” morning I had grown used to over the last three seasons.
We didn’t arrive until nearly 2 p.m., and the hill closed at 4.
From the moment the Subaru parked, I had one thought. I needed to get my skis on that snow. After standing in the lift ticket line forever, probably because it is inside a heated yurt, and nearly passing out in full ski gear, I clipped my wicket to my jacket, started my Slopes tracker, and headed for Lift One, the Green Chair.
The “Warm Up” Lap
At the top, it was obvious the fluffy powder runs were mostly tracked out. But this is Mount Bohemia. If you want powder, you will find it.
Normally, I take my first run on the cautious side. A warm up lap to test the snow, my skis, and my body. But between running late and the emotions of driving all that way, something flipped in my brain. That first run was anything but chill.
The snow was fast, my skis were freshly waxed, and my body felt incredible after sitting in the car. After a few turns on one of the resort’s few cut runs, I dipped into the trees in search of that lake effect powder.
And I found it, along with powder covered stumps and branches locals lovingly call features.
I felt good. Strong. In control. Everything I had done in the offseason suddenly felt worth it.
Until it wasn’t.
FAFO (F*** around and Find Out)
About 30 yards from the bottom of the run, I spotted a side hit off the main trail. It was one I had taken the previous season. With that familiarity, I didn’t think twice before dropping in.
It wasn’t until I was about two feet from the lip that I saw it. A perfect boot shaped hole.
As the thought “don’t hit that” crossed my mind, it was already too late. The tip of my ski found the hole. My bindings did not release like they were supposed to. Before I even hit the ground, I heard a loud pop from my knee and let out a scream that probably lives rent free in the nightmares of anyone who heard it.
After a few frantic phone calls with terrible service, someone who stopped to help finally got through to the office. Ski Patrol was on their way.
Thirty minutes later, sitting in the snow, a patroller arrived, assessed me, and waited with me for the rest of the team and the toboggan.
Going down the Hard Way
The sled ride down an ungroomed, skied out, steep hill was easily the scariest ride of my life. Eventually, I found myself in the Ski Patrol cabin.
The Subaru doubled as an ambulance for the quiet drive to the hospital in Calumet. The ER looked like it came straight out of a TV show.
Hours later, after X rays, the doctor told me I would make it. He even said I might ski again this season. I crutched out of the ER with a dislocated knee, torn ligaments, and a severely bruised ego.
Because who calls Mount Bohemia their favorite place to ski, only to get injured on opening day, first lap, on the easiest run they offer?
Three Tips to Avoid Injury and Have a Better Ski Day Than I Did
Move Your Body
The hospital staff told me the only reason I didn’t completely blow out my knee was because I strengthened it before the season. Strength matters, but mobility matters just as much.
Can your body move in ways that allow it to recover when things go wrong?
Never Skip Your Warm Up Lap
DO NOT Skip the warm up lap. You don’t know how the snow will ride until you are on it. You don’t know the terrain conditions until you see them.
Feeling out your body, your equipment, and the mountain can dramatically improve your day and possibly save you from injury.
Check Your Damn DINs
This step can literally make or break a knee. I was rushing to get on the hill and did not check whether my DINs were set appropriately for the terrain. They were cranked way too high.
They didn’t release, and that was the main cause of the dislocation. It wasn’t until I was clipped out of my binding that my knee finally went back into place.
End the day with both knees intact
So next time you rush to your favorite ski resort, maybe take a second. Check your gear. Warm up. Move your body.
And check yourself before you wreck yourself.
