Wintersports
Skiing
Understanding telemark skiing
Read ahead to learn exactly what Telemark skiing is and find tips for perfecting your Telemark technique.
There’s one word most skiers use to describe their favorite winter sport, and slopestyle freeskier Bella Bacon is no different.
Bella Bacon
© Aga Iwanicka
“To me skiing feels like freedom,” she says.
If you want to experience the most freedom possible on skis, Telemark skiing might be calling your name. It offers the flexibility of going just about anywhere whether you want to enjoy a cross-country hike or the elation of soaring down an incline.
01
What is Telemark skiing?
Telemark skiing combines elements of alpine and Nordic skiing, allowing you to trek across flat terrain and glide downhill. This style is defined by the Telemark turn, in which special ski bindings enable Telemark skiers to move with their heels free. If you can’t decide between cross-country skiing vs. downhill, Telemark skiing offers the best of both worlds.
Johanna Holzmann
© Goran Krošelj
The name for this type of skiing comes from the Telemark region of Norway, where this style originated. Legend has it that the Telemark turn was invented by Norwegian skiing pioneer Sondre Norheim in the 19th century. According to the story (which has never been fully confirmed), Norheim performed the first Telemark turn at Oslo’s inaugural national skiing competition.
The benefits of a Telemark skiing adventure are numerous. It’s a great cardio workout that uses multiple muscles, including your quads, glutes, and hamstrings. If you’re looking to make new friends, Telemark skiers have a reputation for being friendly and social. And if you want to experience a snow-covered landscape up close, Telemark is a thrilling way to connect with the great wintry outdoors.
02
Telemark skiing equipment
Related
Johanna Holzmann
© Etienne Bornet
Telemark skis
Telemark skis are a lot like alpine skis in that both are designed to guide you smoothly downhill. However, Telemark skis are lighter, with bindings that allow you to move your heels. There are different widths of Telemark skis too, with slim skis that are great for turning and wide skis that handle deep snow well. Some expert skiers have used alpine skis on Telemark runs, but you need to be pretty advanced before that’s possible.
Telemark bindings
There are two choices when it comes to Telemark bindings: the classic duckbill and modern NTN bindings. Duckbill bindings are asymmetrical, and you’ll adjust them based on the length of your boots. NTN bindings are symmetrical, so the left and right skis are exactly alike.
Some Tele-skiers say NTN bindings are easier to put on and allow you to ride for extended periods on sharp edges. Others say there’s really not much difference, especially for beginners.
Telemark boots
You may be moving on powder, but the comfort of Telemark ski boots can make you feel like you’re skiing on a cloud. The more flexible your Telemark boots are, the more comfortable they’ll be.
The stiffest Telemark boots can speed up the responsiveness between your movements and your skis’ reaction. However, beginners might not want their skis to register every little motion they make. If this sounds like you, mid-range flexibility is usually recommended.
Choosing boots that fit the width of your foot is key to great Telemark performance no matter your skill level. Always try on your boots with skis, not alone, so you can get a true sense of how they’ll feel on the snow.
03
Telemark skiing techniques
Johanna Holzmann
© Goran Krošelj
Basic Telemark stance
Executing a flawless Telemark turn starts with perfecting your stance, which puts you in a semi-squatting position almost like you’re curtsying. Start with your knees slightly bent and feet hip-width apart — no more or less — for stability. You’ll then slide your front foot forward and fully bend your knee while moving your back foot behind you.
Your front foot should be completely flat on the ground from toe to heel while your back heel lifts up. Weight distribution will be even on your front foot, and all the pressure should be on the ball of your back foot.
Keep your stance compact when Telemark skiing. Opening your legs wide, similar to in traditional cross-country skiing, is a common beginner mistake. You want everything condensed in one nice block, keeping your upper body straight, arms slightly out in front, and your feet underneath you.
Telemark turning techniques
After you feel comfortable stepping into the Telemark stance on flat ground, you can put it all into motion and try your first turns. While skiing downhill, your front or outside ski will bend forward first, and your back leg follows. Unlike alpine skiing and snowboarding, which focus on ankle movement, fully bending your knees is key to the Telemark turn.
Your weight should be even on both skis, and your torso should be pointed straight downhill whether you’re turning left or right. Aim for the fall line, which is the direction a ball would travel if you let it go from the top of the slope. When your skis start to turn, you’ll twist your upper body slightly in the opposite direction.
Remember to take it slow as you start, especially through uneven terrain. Once you’re good with the basics, you can branch out into more advanced Telemark techniques such as carving. These sharper turns require putting more weight on your front foot, so as you can imagine, your control needs to be strong. Before you know it, you can start to learn the kinds of jump turns you see at the Telemark World Championships.
04
Where to Telemark ski
If you’re ready to try Telemark skiing, you’ve got plenty of choices worldwide, from Colorado to Nepal. Depending on how close you are to your chosen Telemark terrain, you can enjoy just one day of Tele-skiing or a multi-day excursion.
Groups such as the Blackhawk Ski Club in Wisconsin offer casual outings where you can practice your turns and meet other Tele-skiers of all levels. West Virginia’s Canaan Valley area is brimming with backcountry powder, and Garrett County, Maryland gets some of the fluffiest snow you can find.
You also have the option of making a pilgrimage to this discipline’s birthplace. Telemark, Norway is full of great resorts, such as the Gaustatoppen resort for off-piste Tele-skiing, or Gautefall Skisenter, one of the largest Telemark resorts.
Explore new horizons with Telemark skiing
Telemark skiing is one of the best ways to enjoy a beautiful winter day. With the extra flexibility of free heels, no terrain is off-limits, and once you’ve mastered the Telemark turn, the possibilities are endless. From total beginners to longtime experts, this skiing discipline offers an exhilarating experience for everyone.
