Tele-Gear set up.

Hey all....

I am starting the research early this year, looking for input on first timer tele-gear set up options.

I skied for 12 years in the 80's and 90's, but most recently have been on the splitboard. I don't plan to give up the split entirely, but also can't explane the internal draw to the Tele...

any input, terrific..


Thanks
Chris

Hey Chris,

Tele's super-fun to learn... here's what I'd recommend for a first time setup that will serve you well in resort and bc for a while:

Mid-fat ski with decent sidecut. Something with a waist in the low 80s and a shovel around 115 or so, like the Atomic Kongur (though it may be a little stiff). Much of the K2 line is pretty soft and easy to learn on -- the new World Piste would be nice. You could also save a little money and pick up an older pair of skis as a beater/learner set. I trashed my first pair of skis.

Pair of T2s, or similar boot. You don't need the power of anything bigger right now, maybe never. You could get leathers or a leather/plastic hybrid, but the learning curve takes a lot longer. You'll have a great start on technique though, if you ski well in leathers.

Pair of G3 Targas, or similar simple, neutral cable binding. The tempation to learn on something robust, like the Hammerhead, may be great, but I think long term your technique will suffer for it, since the neutral binding really makes you focus on where you're bending the boot, etc... I'm on a 7tms, which are neutral and offer a reliable release, if that's important to you. I love them, but that's me.

If you're interested in an inexpensive ski, I've got a pair of older World Pistes (the green/gold ones) that I'd part with for a small sum. You're not terribly tall, right? They're 188s, so they might be long, but they're a real nice ski and would be cheaper than dropping several hundred on something new. Let me know if you're interested... mengley AT hotmail DOT com

Marcus

Marcus~

Hey thanks for the response. I kinda figured that would be my plan of attack. I hope to swing new boots (rather than used, other feet are gross). Paired with some used gear. My main objective this season is to get “alright” on skiis again. I can always default to the Split for epic days in the B.C. I plan to do some evening trips to Stevens during the week, or SnoQ to work on the Tele skills as I don’t think I can pick up technique as fast in the B.C.

As far as gear under foot, a used set of 188’s would likely work well for me as far as height goes, I am sure I’ll be crossin’ em up quite often. Are there brands that are notoriously beefy, as far as side wall construction, top sheet etc.?

I mabey interested in the used K2’s when we get a little closer to the fall, thanks. What year were the ski’s you mentioned?

Chris

As far as gear under foot, a used set of 188’s would likely work well for me as far as height goes, I am sure I’ll be crossin’ em up quite often.  Are there brands that are notoriously beefy, as far as side wall construction, top sheet etc.?

I mabey interested in the used K2’s when we get a little closer to the fall, thanks.  What year were the ski’s you mentioned?

I wouldn't worry too much about the brand, if price is more important. I trashed an old pair of Black Diamonds when I started, then did pretty good work on K2's Piste Stinx. The K2's have held up fine. Keep some epoxy in your tool box to repair any topsheet gouges that get through to the core. I guess I'd recommend a cap constructed ski and not a sandwich, just b/c it seems they'd take the edge beating a little better. That's a guess though. The K2 and Atomic lines are both cap construction.

This is the ski I have (scroll down to the World Piste):

www.grantguides.com/telemark/telemarkskiing.html

It's probably from 2001/2, or thereabouts. They're drilled for 7tms and in pretty good cosmetic shape. Drop me a line if you're interested, come the fall.

Marcus

PS -- definitely recommend going with the new boots, just b/c nothing can be quite as painful as teleing with boots that don't fit...