Telemark  is the oldest form of skiing. It was formalized in the 1800′ in the telemark region of Norway. It is also connected to the very first invention of skiing 5,000 years ago.
Because of the free heel, telemark skiers use a different turn technique, with a characteristic kneeling stance you see occasionally out West, and quite a bit more at Eastern US resorts and in Europe.

(Movie shows Tom Gelie, not me - but is is a great demo of what can be done on Telemark skis, including the 2 unintentional forward flips....)

It looks more difficult, so why would you bother…. ?

I was asking myself the same question. Then I heard my friend Tim speak so poetically about the sense of freedom, of fragile balance, of elegance, of dancing even that comes from a telemark run. I did try a few years ago, after some prodding, and quickly became passionate.

Beyond the very joy a flyinng around telemark style, it has also helped me refine some ski skills of standard alpine skiing.

Are you looking for a new sliding challenge? do you want to have fun while skiing intermediate runs with children or friends ? or do you jsut want to try something different ?

Listen to Tim below (fast forward to 0:40), and call me if you want to try – guaranteed extra wide grins will ensue….