LAKE EFFECT, A MICHIGAN SKI FILM [2023] | A FILM BY MIKE KING

Lake Effect is a two-year Michigan ski film highlighting the joys of backyard adventure and the shifting perspective of Mike King, a professional skier who for a decade has only sought adventure from the peaks of mountain tops in the far reaches of the West. In 2020 when Covid encouraged lockdowns & travel restrictions, Mike's life on the road came to a screeching halt. This abrupt change inspired Mike to take the hurdle as an opportunity to rediscover the unique, untapped terrain, ski culture, and the people thriving right here in his home state of Michigan. Throughout filming Lake Effect Mike realized you don't need to travel far to have an epic adventure. Rather some creativity, curiosity, and the willingness to walk out the door to the abundance that starts right in our backyards.

Director & Editor - Mike King
Assistant Director & Editor - John O’callaghan
Produced by - Mike King, Ella Skrocki, Sam Bennett
Director of Photography - Mike King & John O’callaghan
Cinematography - John O’callaghan, Spencer Milbocker, Ella Skrocki, Ryan Busch, Grant Piering, and more.
Musical Score - The Go Rounds, Graham Parsons, Benjamin Cohen
Sound Mix and rerecord - Dream Louder, Benjamin Cohen
Supported by - Boyne Country Sports, Lib Tech, Fat Tire, 686 Technical Apparel, MSIA, Divyde Capital Partners, King Orchards, Sleeping Bear Surf
Distributed by - Teton Gravity Research

[facepillownap]

Gosh it’s refreshing to see a ski film that’s not just Bros and their $10, 000 Heli days.

[KevinBauman]

I've lived in Michigan, Wisconsin, Oregon, Colorado, and Montana. I never loved skiing more than I did as a kid in Michigan, skiing Pine Knob, Mt. Holly, Mt. Brighton, and Alpine Valley. A big trip was up to Boyne or Nub's Nob.

[fieldworkcreative]

The amount of blood, sweat, heart, and tears that Mike put into this film is remarkable. Thank you Mike for seeing this through, from one Michigander to another.

[jordanfalvey]

Growing up skiing in NH, and then moving out to UT and MT for 6 seasons, it was hard for me adjusting to skiing on the east coast again. This video represented the way I’ve felt countless time. Raw, inspiring, and funny. Well done TGR! Most ski movies make me feel FOMO. This helped me realize when the grass looks greener somewhere else, water your own lawn! Like most things in life, things are what you make them!

[stacyinthesnow]

This movie is pure GOLD. Saw it at the premier in Grand Rapids and it absolutely represents the soul of Michigan skiing/riding

[finnracing]

Ohh man, all I can say is this film gets right down to the roots of being a skier from Michigan. And how we are in the never ending search for the best vertical we can find and the most fun we can find within our awesome state of Michigan!! We make the best of what we got and it is truly an awesome feeling. I’m an older dude now at 52, but I still love to shred and carve turns skiing fast down the slopes of Boyne, Boyne highlands, Nubs nob, caberfae, crystal mountain, mt Brighton, mt holly, etcetc. And too many golf course hills from back in the day lol 😂. Thank you Mike for the awesome film made here in Michigan. I would love to make turns and rack up the vertical feet with a crew like yours! Best of luck to you and all your endeavors 👍 Keep sking fast, stay safe and have a blast!! 😊

[arwreece]

As a Michigan Skier & Surfer, this film hit the nail on the head. During Covid, life was hard, and we all dug down deep into our roots to enjoy what this beautiful state has to offer.

Great job!

[michaelsleep]

Thanks Mike for showing that you dont have to have big mountains to be so pumped up about skiing. I love every day that im out and it doesnt matter if it is 300 vert or big mountains. The midwest is the heart of american skiing.

[skibum]

Such a unreal movie! Makes me appreciative of the smaller mountains and the heart and soul of the ski/board community! Much love

[adventuringandy]

Moved to Utah from Michigan twenty three years ago. Never once considered skiing there again until i watched this film. Always thought the dunes could be a backcountry spot.

[kennyp]

I'm nowhere near a pro skier, but its the hunger that keeps me coming back for more, the drive that on a hot sunny day in the summer I can look at a mountain and envision the line I would take to get down, sure anyone can probably do it, but when I can do it, its a feeling greater then anything else.

[DurandNixon]

So good! Mike and Ty skiing the dunes got me fired up. I think every Michigander has wanted to do that!

[TeachMrsAM]

Breathtaking, beautiful, and nostalgic. Your talent on the hill and on film are both beyond measure. Thank you for sharing this wondrous journey of home, Mike. I felt this in my soul. 🫶

[RobertKussart]

I grew up in Wisco skiing Tyrol Basin as often as I could, and would impatiently wait for my trips to the UP and out west each year. All paid for by working my ass off each summer, some of it farming. I also fondly recall watching the Schrab brothers at my local hill and watched their videos each year. I eventually slid on snow at Hood and Mammoth for a living before life called me in a different direction. I’m 40 now and this movie brought me back to my days of skiing anything with snow on it;) Great movie. Thanks for putting this novelty together!

[veronicapaulsen]

Wow!! What a heartwarming story. Incredible film, great work Mike!!

[dcarmich]

What a cool movie. Great tribute to skiing in Michigan and a passion for the sport. Well done!

[cycleoflife]

Keeping it real in the UP of M. Hope to ski it soon. There’s mountains there people don’t know of.

[paulamato]

Great Movie Mike. It just goes to show people that there is so fun to be had wherever we live!!!!

[peter]

Amazing stuff - great to see a Midwest project! Midwest represent!!!

[bradleybacon]

Graham told me to check this out and I'm so glad I did—its a great taste of a culture I've never been apart of. Thank you for making this.