Telemark skiing

Telemark skiing is a skiing technique that combines elements of Alpine and Nordic skiing. The ski binding enables free movement of the heel. A typical feature of this technique is so called telemark turn.

Telemark is the most traditional and versatile skiing technique. It enables skiing, ascent, descent, turns, and jumping. You can compete in different races or just do it for leisure: hike, ski down and up hills anywhere you want.

Technique

Unlike Alpine ski bindings, Telemark bindings connect the ski boot to the ski only at the toe or front of the boot, so the rear foot can flex and lift when turning. This feature enables turns in balanced, low and flexible position. The Telemark position is also used in ski jumping, in Telemark landing.

How to make a Telemark turn? Start by taking the Telemark position (one foot in front of the other, knees and ankles bent). Then move your front foot forwards. Sometimes the foremost foot can be moved backwards. In this position, the weight is distributed between your feet in a way that at the beginning, there's a bit more weight on the front foot, and at the end, there's more weight on the rear foot. Incline inside the arc to make a turn.

Roll your hip in a way that your shoulders point down the fall-line at all times. The hip inclines inside the arc. Arms should be relaxed, in the front of your body. You don't necessarily need poles for this technique, but skiers often use two poles or a stick to balance themselves and to propel the flats.

The lead change is the telemark skier's transition when the front ski becomes the back ski, and vice versa. It is a smooth chain of movements which leads to a continuous up-down-movement giving a natural rythm to skiing. This way the new turn starts almost on its own.