telemark Skiing Q's

[khag4]

I am just getting into the sport and was wondering what type of stuff you guys use. Also if you know of any forums that talk about teleing i would like to know. thanks..

[old_man]

My only question is......where's the motor?

[ColoradoXJ]

outside magazine's ski gear review...

http://outside.away.com/outside/gear/gear.tcl?gear=Ski-Gear&gear_cid=10981

it's alpine AND tele, so you'll have to sort through it... i would highly consider asking patrolers what they think if you see them on tele gear. they'll usually give you a pretty good rundown of the gear and their .02

[jeep91xj]

I Skiing Scarpa T1 boots,05 black diamond cross bows with G3 targa bindings and my second set of skis are 06 Rossignol bandit B3's with 22 designs hammerhead bindings

[khag4]

Cool thanks guys.. I'm thinking about getting the Garmont Ener'Gs and I would like to have the violi three pin hardwire bindings and for the ski i'm probally just going to mount up some alpine skis.....

[scottycards]

Run a full plastic boot.

T1's here, 181 K2 World Piste w/G3 ti bindings, riser plates. Also 181 K2 Work Stinx, same binding setup. Also 188K2 Super Stinx (early season boards), same binding setup.

I'll cut you a hell of a deal on the 188 Super's, fi you're looking for a tele setup- a real tele ski makes a big difference over an alpine board with a tele binding.

I've also got a couple of pairs of older skis with tele bindings (super loops), if you're looking for a super budget setup. I think I have like 5 sets of tele skis total, and only really need two.......

Oh, and get kneepads.

[khag4]

I don't know if I would be able to handle the 188s I usualy ski a 182 or a 184...
Are the EnerG's a full plastic boot?? i would assume they would be but tel me what you know...

[scottycards]

The enegy-g is a full plastic boot. I like the fit of my Scarpa's, but the Garmonts are great boots. You'll like them, for sure.

[khag4]

I've tried both boots on and the feel of the garmonts is just better... but thanks for the info

[mrutledge]

I've tried both boots on and the feel of the garmonts is just better... but thanks for the info

You're off to a great start. The boots are the most important. Find a set that fits you and everything else will just work out.

I'm in a set of Scarps T2's, some sniagrab Red Chillies bindings, and a set of Atomic TM20's (I think... Might be TM22's. They're blue!). I have no complaints with any of my gear. It skis better than I do. This is my second set of skis and bindings. The first was a long, skinny, stiff atomic racing ski. It was easily way too long for me, but I got the skis and bindings (don't remember the brand, but they clamped down from the front.) for about $100.

Get a set of tele-specific skis. They are lighter and flex differently than an alpine ski. That will make learning a whole lot easier.

I don't know squat about bindings, but I'm not sure why you would want a three-pin set up.

Oh, get a set of knee pads with hard plastic caps. Nothing sucks more than having your ski tip jump up and clock you on the knee cap.

$0.02

-Matt

[Big Kev]

FREE THE HEEL... I always wanted to try it but haven't yet. Maybe in a couple of years I will get the itch again.

[Mcstiff]

Crispi CXR , 7TM's, Karahu Jak's ~190cm

http://www.telemarktalk.com/phpBB/index.php

[ColoradoSkier]

I plan on teaching Natalie to alpine next year. Once she can handle that, I am going to take up tele. Been doing the alpine thing for ~25 years now, time for something new.

[xjmatt]

Oh, get a set of knee pads with hard plastic caps. Nothing sucks more than having your ski tip jump up and clock you on the knee cap.


Yea knee pads... that should be your first clue.

I've got nothing constructive to add except that I'm on my 2nd season in my Garmont Adrenalines (Yea they are AT boots not Tele) and I've got nothing but good things to say. I ski hard, like the bumps, cornices, and workin my way up to the mid-sized cliffs and they have served me well. Garmont makes a good solid, comfy, lightweight boot.

[scottycards]

AT: "Almost Tele" :flipoff2:

Randonee: French for "can't tele"......

Sorry, that's about as worthwhile of a contribution I can make. Time to hit the coffee pot in the breakroom.......:shrug:

[xjmatt]

Randonee: French for "can't tele"......


:flipoff2:

This is exactly what I tell people too. You can all keep your floppy heels. :D

And I won't get into the tele jokes I have since it would derail this post off into a bad place.

[khag4]

Thanks again guys your info is really useful...

[meatblanket]

:flipoff2:

This is exactly what I tell people too. You can all keep your floppy heels. :D

And I won't get into the tele jokes I have since it would derail this post off into a bad place.

x2. With the advent of modern AT bindings, particularly Dynafit, I just don't see any reason to tele.

I guess maybe it's more fun if it takes you longer to get to the bottom?:confused: :flipoff2:

[khag4]

I just need a new challange.... I've been alpining since i was three so i've kinda reached my level of that....

[scottycards]

I guess maybe it's more fun if it takes you longer to get to the bottom?:confused: :flipoff2:

Takes longer? HA! I'm always waiting for my "heavy metal" friends to catch up. But that's after ~16 years tele skiing.

There's a purity of the tele turn that just can't be achieved otherwise. I equate it to longboarding in the world of surfing.

[meatblanket]

Can't argue with that. And tele looks like fun in low angle, deep powder.

But I can always find terrain that is beyond my ability, at least in the backcountry, which is where I use the AT gear.

[meatblanket]

Takes longer? HA! I'm always waiting for my "heavy metal" friends to catch up. But that's after ~16 years tele skiing.

There's a purity of the tele turn that just can't be achieved otherwise. I equate it to longboarding in the world of surfing.

I guess the people I ski with aren't as good as you are!

And I "sorta" understand what you are saying in deep powder, low angle slopes. But on the other hand, I've seen really GOOD tele skiers on 50 degree slopes, and it looks like Elaine Bennis trying to dance.

[scottycards]

Where I really got the big moment of realization was in the BC as well. The low COG offered by the tele turn, combined with the super long edge you're laying down (using both skis), offers insane stability in wind-blown crud, variable terrain, etc.

Tele allows you to get real low and just blast through that uneven stuff like it's not even there. When you're down low the stance is super stable- your body won't move forward or back, since your legs are fore and aft. Even on high angle slopes. The only caution there is to use a binding riser so that you don't boot out and lose your edge on the snow.

At 50* angle, it's pretty much a jump turn deal anyhow, right? Tele or otherwise, unless you're running out into a big bowl of some sort?

[ColoradoSkier]

Takes longer? HA! I'm always waiting for my "heavy metal" friends to catch up. But that's after ~16 years tele skiing.


My boss at Copper was a tele skier (he has moved up in the world, CIO for IntraWest and living in Canada now). He is a way better skier than I could ever be. :hail: There were two tele guys in our dept, and I had a heck of a time keeping up with either one of them. I want to learn it because it is supposed to be better for your knees.

[ColoradoSkier]

And since we are talking skiiing, had to throw out this pic I took at Copper yesterday.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/2323695517_6d3292d206.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chesterbullock/2323695517/)

[scottycards]

I switched after a long time on alpine gear, like 18 years. You'll pick it up in no time.

I look at the tele freaks out there now, and I'm just speechless. Max Mancini and those guys are ridiculously good. I can get down the hill, but what they're doing is SICK. Loveland is full of good freeheelers- kinda the Crested Butte of the front range, in a sort of way.

[meatblanket]

At 50* angle, it's pretty much a jump turn deal anyhow, right? Tele or otherwise, unless you're running out into a big bowl of some sort?

Correct. These guys were fantastic skiiers, but the jump turn on teles looked insanely difficult and awkward. It worked though.

Tele v. AT is almost like discussing religion, in a sense. I have one friend who has seen the power of the dark side, although she disappointed me by shunning the Dynafit bindings.

Say, how would you rate tele boots for mountaineering?:flipoff2:

[scottycards]

Say, how would you rate tele boots for mountaineering?:flipoff2:

I'd give them about a .00001/10. Too funny. :thumbsup:

[meatblanket]

See, AT boots are .00002 out of 10!;)

[scottycards]

Twice as good!

[xjmatt]

Say, how would you rate tele boots for mountaineering?:flipoff2:

You know funny you mention it. I was ice climbing back at Black Lake up in RMNP and sure enough these 2 guys come toolin on it, one wearing AT and the other wearing Tele boots. They skied in as far as possible then ditched their gear and hiked in their boots. THEN the strapped crampons to them and climbed. I didn't hear a single complaint either and they were pretty good climbers.

I don't have a decent picture but the Cirque out at Mary Jane was a slice of heaven on Saturday. Barely anybody out there, I hiked it 3 times and cut clean lines every time. Good 4-6" of untouched powder :drool:

[meatblanket]

With crampons it wouldn't matter. On bare rock, they both suck!

I made a run down Vasquez Cirque Sunday. Yep, it's nice in there. Worth the 20 minute hike, for sure!

Talked to some ATers who entered there from Berthoud Pass. They told me it took them about 3 hours (it's only 1.5 hours from Second Creek), but either way it is an easy way for folks to get a few rides without a ticket.

[xjmatt]

With crampons it wouldn't matter. On bare rock, they both suck!


Ahh yea very true. Though mine have interchangeable rubber soles so they will work with just about any binding type (dynafit is the exception). I love truckin across rocky spots while my plastic soled friends move at a snails pace just to stay upright.

[bsaunder]

Where is a decent place to learn tele (ie good instructors for a half day private)?

I've been alpine skiing for >28 years and used to be an instructor on a demo squad, so I feel pretty confident in that area. Most of the in-bounds areas are starting to get boring to me. I'll be starting my daughter skiing next year and I'd like to ski with my wife who is an intermediate skier - so I'm for seeing a lot of groomer time and was hoping that tele would throw a bit of a challenge back into it; that and I've always been in awe of really good tele skiers in the bumps or just cruising the hill with the wide low arcs...

[scottycards]

If you want to make some turns up at Loveland one day this spring, I'll meet you up there, and you'll be making tele turns on your first run.

Learning it is easy, perfecting it takes years. It's a great way to become an intermediate skier again- it'll be perfect for skiing the same runs with the wife and/or kid.

Were you on the PSIA demo team?

[bsaunder]

I may just take you up on that; if the snow is still good once I get a weekend free again.

Not quite the PSIA demo team (I wish) - was on a demo squad for PSIA in the rocky mtn region in NM, sort of a 2nd or 3rd tier from the main demo team. Unfortunately the years since then really shows; ie it was before parabolic shaped skies came onto the market.

[scottycards]

Cool. I was repping for a ski company back then, right before shaped skis, and a PSIA demo guy took me up on the hill at the Copper Mtn Trade Fair and taught me my first tele turn.

I never went back. Here I was, selling and making my living off alpine gear, and skiing tele behind everyone's back. I was living with a dirty little secret. A closet freeheeler, if you will.

Let me know if you want to go up. We can make a few runs, and you'll be dropping a knee in no time.

[ColoradoXJ]

And since we are talking skiiing, had to throw out this pic I took at Copper yesterday.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/2323695517_6d3292d206.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chesterbullock/2323695517/)

and since someone mentioned canada... i have to throw out these pics :flipoff2:

http://i25.tinypic.com/2lu6olw.jpg

http://i31.tinypic.com/2hzhd2t.jpg

[bsaunder]

Blackcomb?

[ColoradoXJ]

top pic blackcomb, bottom whistler... :drool:


...and one of these days, i'll figure out the 'resize pics' option in MSpaint :silly:

[ColoradoSkier]

And since noone mentioned the Alps, I have to throw these pics from Garmisch...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/142/372109069_ac8f3aa390_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/166/372112261_ecf6f5b1ef_b.jpg