This may very well seem a foolish, unnecessary question to some but in fact there are many potential telemark skiers out there that aren't sure of the answer. We at NET could easily take this opportunity to get up on our soap box and preach all the wonderful reasons to take up the art of freeheeling. However, rather than make this a solo job, we instead went on to a telamark forum and posed the question to the telemark skiers there. Here are some of their answers!!
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To me tele's are just another turn in the quiver. But here on the east coast a tele turn will allow shallow powder far more than my alpine friends. I tele because the boots are really comfortable. I tele because it's different (although not as much as it used to be) and we nod to each as brothers and sisters of the free heel. Most of all I tele because I love to.-- Bill R.
When the skiing gets real, free the heel!-- Brendan
There is no form of skiing, and that includes randonee, that offers such a variety of ski techniques. You can telemark, parallel, mono mark, race, tour, climb, jump, and now even do tricks in the pipe on the new twin tip tele skis. Free Heel skiing is the ultimate skiing!!--Kurt
Half the binding, twice the skier..or is it half the binding, half the brains??--Al
I started telemarking because I wanted to experience the thrill of a new challenge, a feeling that was long gone from my alpine and rando skiing. 8 years later the thrill is still there.--Jon Sulzer
I got bored with alpine skiing and it didn't provide a challenge anymore. Tele has brought back the challenge!--Shawn
Telemark Haiku
Forest Cathedral
Genuflecting in the Trees
Powder to the knees --Jenny
I tele because :
• It makes people ask me "What
is tele?"
• It makes alpiners ask "Why?"
•It makes snowboarders ask
-"Grunt, huh?"
• My quads neeed the workout.
• When done properly it is
just so pretty to watch.
__Justin B
The boots are more comfortable in the bar.--Hamish
Nothing beats the feeling of your knee touching the snow as you carve a turn. The boots are a hell of a lot more comfortable and easier to put on. Less stress on your knees than fixed heel. The skis are lighter and easier to carry either up a mountain or from your vehicle. No one will want to rip off a pair of tele's because they can't figure out how to get their downhill or snowboard boots to work in the bindings.
-- earnyourturns
Because my wipeouts are so much more spectacular!--Kung Fu George
Tele is to alpine as fly fishing is to spin casting. It's got soul.--Heff
This haiku, from a group of folks at Powder Creek Lodge a few years back is more about backcountry touring than telemark skiing..but it captures the experience so completely:
Switchback switchback switchback
oh
Switchback switchback switchback oh
Switchback switchback switchback yeah ---Margo
Klister is sticky
On my skis and on my hands
Time for a snow bath. -- Composed by a friend at the Cerise
Creek hut a number of years ago who didn't have skins and had to use klister.--Brendon
I tele because it's dancing with gravity.-- Carpentonto
Can you imagine anything freer and more exciting than when you, swiftly as a bird, zoom down the wood-clad hillsides while country air and spruce twigs whiz by your cheeks and eyes; brain and muscles tense, ready to avoid any unknown obstacle which any moment might be thrown in your path? You are one with your skis and nature. This is something that develops not only the body but the soul as well, and it has a deeper meaning for a people than most of us percieve.--Andy p
Why slam-dance in the mosh-pit when you can swing in the clouds?--hubris
...because it's what the gods intended when they created snow, gravity, and Norwegians.--Old Norse
We're always striving to be at peace with the slopes. Nirvana is finidng the mountains pulse for that moment and matching heartbeats, becoming one with the mountain if only for a short time. Following the fall line with effortless grace. Dancing on velvet.-- Kokotele
Skiing three feet or more of fresh on teles is like surfing a long board. It's all in the Soul and the float that occurs on teles in deep snow just has no comparison in my mind to anything else on this earth.-- Millhouse
1. Because hills that have become
boring on alpine gear now become challenging.
2. Because my wife and I now ski at the same pace.
3. Because of the attention you get skiing under the lift.
4. Because it's more versatile. I can parallel, telemark, shuffle, climb,
kick and glide, whatever- all on the same equipment.
5. Because the boots are more comfortable.
6. Because it links tradition and today. I am using a turning technique
my grandfather used in the 20's, but with the advantage of warm plastic
boots, modern ski design, more reliable bindings. Opa never understood
modern alpine skiing, but I think he could look down and smile at me telemarking.
And now I understand him better.
7. Because of the grace
8. because of ther sensation. I'm skiing on long boards fastened only
to my toes... no inherent forward or laterial resistance. And yet, with
a simple gracefuyl move, I can attain stability and arc through the snow,
enjoying the speed, the centripedal force of me against the skiis and
snow, the balence, the amazing quiet of fresh snow.
9. Because it's not easy--but the feeling of accomplishment is that much
greater.
10. Because other telemark skiers do it for the same reasons (and more).
-- Tom D.
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