Telemark / Free-Heeling

I'd be really interested to hear from anyone who can comment on the likely experience I would have if attempting this activity for the 1st time.

I have watched many people skiing in this way and been very impressed by the style, ability and apparent ease with which “tricky” conditions were dealt with.

I’d love to have a go but don’t know if I’d have the knees for it. Is it going to take ages to get the hang of it?

I should say that it’s the going down bit that I’d like to start with, maybe trying the going up bit in time ;)

Finally, how much should I expect to spend to kit myself out with suitable gear if I enjoy it?

Cheers

Jan

If you get no one here with experience give me a PM and I can send you in the direction of someone who knows more..

Tks Ross 8)

Jan

I was asking the same question last season (as if I need another set of gear) and I happened to ski with a telemark regional instructor examiner. I've only ever seen him free heeling when teaching. His advice suprised me, "don't bother". He described telemark as a backwater going nowhere. He said if you enjoy downhill skiing then touring bindings were the way to go in the back country. On the other hand I can see it has an asthetic quality (just as Tai Chi does) and I have seen a telemarker laying down carves like he was on race skis, forewards and backwards. If you are looking for a new challenge maybe a skwal or alpine/race snowboard would satisfy the urge, but I don't know what your motives are.

Telemark is hugely popular in many mountain areas of the US. Far more common than touring setups. I've always thought that if I were single again, I would take it up as I've seen so many women telemarking in Utah :wink:

Anyway here is an informational video on telemarking
http://www.livevideo.com/video/HairyDoughnuts/AB378967617249668790F705D97E66D3/the-pinhead-hunter.aspx

Trencher

I'd also second the comments regarding how 'elegant' telemark appears.

I guess it's like most things - once you can do it, it's rather easy. The problem is the learing curve.

How long and how steep in that learning curve.

I'd love to give it a go - but deep down I know I'd go rushing back to what I know - as not to 'waste' too much time on that 'learning curve'.

But total repect to anyone that has more will power than me. :)

I think telemarking looks fantastic.

I was however massively surprised to see a guy telemarking down an off piste mogul field in Verbier in April. How hard must that be?

See, Tony, that's my point ... What am I missing and why haven't I already mastered this skill ??

Although Trencher's quote has got me thinking ... (Tks btw Trencher!)

Jan

Hey guys,
After about 5 years of wanting to do it, I finally managed to get my hand on some telemark equipment and give it a go.
I went out and just did it with a few helpful hints from my friends.
At the end of the first day I managed to get down a nice steep black run, all be it not fully in the telemark position but some of the way. By the end of my second day I was carving down red runs right down, trying some steeps & bumps. After about 4 days I even managed to slide a basic box & ski switch in the tele position.

I think it depends how strong your alpine skills are as to how easy you will find picking it up.

i have skied for 25 years and am an ISIA ski instructor so have a good understanding of technique.

I have taught other instructors of varying levels how to tele and most will be able to get into a reasonable tele-position after a couple of hours.

It is definatly worth giving it a shot. a foot of powder feels so much deeper when your knee is on your ski!!!!

Let me know you ability and also check out www.telemarktips.com There are video lessons with exercises to practice. This is how I learnt the proper technique. Dowloaded onto my Ipod to watch on the lift.

If anyone is interested in giving it a go & live around Manchester let me know. We will hopefully be getting some taster sessions on the go at the Chill factor e.

Hope this hepls & spurs you into it!

P.S Bumps are insane on teles! So difficult but it's a hell of a challenge