It is the holiday season. I arrive in Whitefish, Montana for two weeks of family (or more accurately) snow fun! With my immediate family scattered between Canada, Australia, and the U.S., Montana has become our mediate holiday destination due to our shared love of winter sports. And with everyone so far away finally coming together, why not make a full snow sport trip out of it.
Now, I usually jump back and forth between skiing and snowboarding when riding back-to-back days, but this year I feel it is time to become full snow princess — and this means stepping it up to tele skiing. I am alternating, starting my days with a.m. snowboarding and p.m. telemarking (although they are not exactly complimentary sports). I stand by my theory; the more sport toys, the better. So add tele skiing to the bunch — as if I need to add more equipment to my trunk which already houses 2 kites, a surfboard, a kiteboard, two skateboards (long board and regular, depending on skate needs), a pair of skis, ski boots, yoga mat, and skate pads of all types, but I guess there is room (did I mention I drive a Civic?).
According to wikipedia, tele skiing is also “known as ‘free heel skiing.’” And for those of you unfamiliar with the sport, wikipedia goes even farther in describing the sport, “unlike alpine skiing equipment, the skis used for telemarking have a binding that only connects the boot to the ski at the toes, just as in cross-country skiing. Telemark turns are led with the heel flat on the outside ski (the downhill ski at the end of the turn), while the inside (uphill) ski is pulled beneath the skier’s body with a flexed knee and raised heel. The skis are staggered but not quite parallel, and 50% to 60% of the body weight is distributed on the outside ski, depending on snow conditions.” In plain english, you are lunging down the hill on skis with no back binding. Damn, this the ‘thigh master’ of winter sports.
I don’t ski often so it takes me a bit to get familiar. But after day three, I am popping off ledges, lunging through trees, and almost doing the sport according to the textbook — I am 80% out of control mind you. But while it is fresh on my mind allow me to walk you through how to tele ski:
1. The point of tele-skiing is to use the freedom to create more edge when carving. Meaning, the lunging motion is not just for fitness points but rather serves the purpose to allow more angle from the edge of the ski to the snow, allowing for a deeper carve. Godly tele-skiers are therefore theoretically able to descend steeper slopes with a sharper carve.
With this in mind, start your journey on something mild but not fully hard packed. Groomed runs that are icy make it extremely hard to cut the edge into the snow while leaning.
2. When in doubt just lean slightly back and alpine it. Meaning, you can always just put your weight in the center and ski as if you are on normal skis (great for tight trees or moguls).
3. The theory is explained above, but really just lunge your back foot for all your worth and hope the turn looks clean. While lunging keep your weight centered. Too far forward and too far back will easily buck you. Stability is key.
4. Most importantly, learn how to fall. On tele skis your knees become extremely susceptible to twisting, so when you go down try to slide out rather than mangle. Your skis will not pop off as with alpine skis so try to keep your legs as in line as possible.
5. Just Dew it! Mountain Dew may later sponsor you with enough clocked hours. It is for sure a sport worth a try. Plus, tele skiers are king of the mountain. It means you have mastered one sport and are searching for the next challenge. Respect.
- Jenna
