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Though Telemark skiing has been around longer than its Alps-bred cousin, it surely has learned a lot from Alpine skiing. Once Telemark finally broke free of the bearded-hippies-in-leather-boots stereotype, those same folks found they too could tear it up like superheroes in three-buckle plastic boots and on boards with radical sidecut. Welcome to the millennium. In many cases, Telemark skis are molded on the same chassis as an Alpine version, with modifications to suit the Tele technique and style. But even in the face of all this new technology the pure essence of the Telemark turn has been preserved, as well as the skier’s relationship to the backcountry. The following questions will help guide you in your quest for new equipment.
Note to AT Skiers:Though the following section was originally intended for Tele skiers, all of the information and selection parameters apply to you as well.
The beauty of a free-heel is that it allows skiers to ascend slopes as well as ski down them. This means the intrepid Telemarker or ATer can access untouched stashes of natural snow in that vague and changeable place we know as The Backcountry. Consider how much time you’ll spend in the backcountry versus taking the lift at a ski resort. If you’ll be skiing mostly or entirely on groomed terrain at resorts, pick one of the narrower models with a waist around 72-78mm. Half-and-half skiers will probably want something that offers more float in natural snow, so look at models with about 80-88mm waists. For more dedicated soft snow performance, look to even wider skis (90mm+), but you must be willing to put in the extra effort to seek the deep snow (it’s definitely out there)-. See the Winter F.A.Q. for more information on waist width.
If your sense of adventure is aroused by the touring portion of backcountry skiing, you might enjoy the benefits that narrow, lightweight skis have to offer. They will be easier to skin in, and you can mate them with some of the lighter-duty boots and bindings to create a fast and fun touring machine. Wider (and heavier) skis typically perform the best in downhill backcountry situations. Though you may be more fatigued on the way up, you’ll be less fatigued on the way down. Come talk to us for more information on this.
Your ability level will probably influence your ski decision in a couple of ways. Beginning skiers typically opt for skis with softer, more forgiving flexes, narrow to mid-fat waist widths, and generally shorter lengths. More advanced skiers, depending on style and preferred terrain, may choose stiffer models, fatter waists and longer lengths. Again, these are very general guidelines, so come talk to us about your specific adventuring goals and we can reccommend the right skis to get you there.