UMW NEWS BUREAU

Cory Birkenbuel makes fresh turns at Maverick Mountain. Photo courtesy of Montana's Sweet 16.

University of Montana Western business major Cory Birkenbuel is on a mission. The 33-year old Dillon, Mont. native and self-proclaimed Maverick Mountain ski bum is in the midst of a whirlwind, 16-day tour of all 16 Montana ski areas to create a documentary film about the state’s diverse skiing industry and lifestyle.

The project, Montana’s Sweet 16, is part of Birkenbuel’s senior internship at Montana Western. He is working with Montana State University film student and Dillon native Kevin Hilston to not only ski every area in the state but also to shoot video of skiing, snowboarding and life at each of the areas. Birkenbuel ultimately plans to make a documentary to enter in film festivals across the region.

The duo are currently in week two of the project and Birkenbuel says the trip and experience are proving to be both challenging and rewarding.

“The project has been demanding,” Birkenbuel explains. “We have had to wake up each morning really early to get sunrise shots and then we are going to bed around midnight, but the experience has been an amazing time and a great opportunity to complete my internship from Montana Western. This is experiential learning at its best by getting out of the classroom with hands-on experience.”

The project is making headlines across the state. In addition to being featured on ski area websites, Birkenbuel and Hilston were featured in a Dec. 30 article in the Missoulian, in a television interview on KXLF News and on Montana Snow Sports online.

Birkenbuel says, aside from being a lot of fun, the project is giving him new perspective on his home state.

“The time we have spent on the road has made us realize how huge and beautiful Montana is,” he adds. “We are very lucky to be doing this trip across this great state.”

The Montana’s Sweet 16 tour will conclude on Monday, Jan. 16 at Maverick Mountain and Birkenbuel encourages skiers and community members to join them on the slopes at Maverick to celebrate. The skiers can also be followed on Facebook by searching “Montana’s Sweet 16.”