What Is Telemark Skiing?
Who are all those crazy guys and gals doing deep knee bends all over the slopes? And why are they wearing cross-country skis?
Actually, they are telemarkers; practitioners of what may be the fastest growing technique for getting from peak to valley.
They are even invading slopestyle xtreme events in large numbers.
History Of Telemark Skiing
Back in the day, when skiing was in the main a form of transportation, the telemark turn was developed to allow skiiers to make sharper turns on what were basically free heel, cross country skis.
The turn involves dropping one ski back while bending your leg and raising your heel on that ski, and simultaneously digging into the turn with the front ski, in effect organizing both skis into one long turning surface.
While this turn was great for covering ground through the deep powder often found in the backcountry, it was more difficult than a parallel turn on the packed and groomed snow encountered on the slopes.
However, innovations in both boots and skis have changed all that.
Modern Telemark Skiing
Modern telemark boots are made of stiff plastic, and the latest side-cut design telemark skis have the softer longitudinal flex necessary for putting pressure on the rear ski during the telemark turn, but still have the resistance to twist required for hard snow performance.
As a result, although telemark skis are still ideal for traversing the great beyond, many of today's telemarkers have a passion for the slopes, where they can make turn after spectacular turn all the way down.
Telemark Ski Links
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telemark_skiing
- http://www.telemarktips.com
- http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-telemark-skiing.htm
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Telemark-Skiing/24437939549
Feel free to submit your own telemark ski tips or comments and don't forget to lock up your gear in the ski racks provided at your favorite ski resorts.
